Locate ServicesThere is a large range of services, support and assistance available to help improve the quality of life for carers everywhere. These vary from direct government support, government funded support and other practical assistance.
Information for all carersFinancial support
Counselling and emotional support
Mental Health and well-being
Caring for an older person
Caring for family and friends with an alcohol or drug related problem
Young carers
Indigenous carers
Carers from multi-cultural backgrounds
Family support
General information
Palliative Care
Other useful links
Information for all carers Carers Australia Carers Australia is Australia’s national peak body representing Australia’s 2.6 million carers. Carers Australia advocates and lobbies on a wide range of issues that affect carers and manages the delivery of national programs, support and services for carers across Australia. Visit the Carers Australia Website.
State and territory Carers Associations
Carers Australia is located in Canberra, and works in partnership with the eight state and territory based bodies. For information about supports and services in your state or territory, please click one of these links.
Carers ACT
Carers NT
Carers NSW
Carers QLD
Carers SA
Carers VIC
Carers WA
Carers TAS (Call 1800 242 636)
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres provide free and confidential information on community, aged, disability and carer support services. View the website or call 1800 052 222.
Companion Cards
Companion Cards allow carers access to particular events, venues and activities for free if they are attending as a carer of a person with a disability. For more information visit the website.
Financial Support Helping chidren with Autism
The Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) package provides funding for early intervention services for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Eligible children are able to access up to $12,000 for early intervention services or resources. The HCWA package also provides funding for education and support services for families of children with ASD including Autism Advisors, PlayConnect Playgroups and Early Days parent workshops. More information about the HCWA package is available at
www.fahcsia.gov.au/autism or from the Early Intervention Helpdesk on 1800 778 581.
Department of Human Services – Carers
There are a variety of payments available from Centrelink, and it’s best to get in touch with them directly to find out what benefits are appropriate for your personal situation. For information on eligibility and how to access this financial support, visit the carers section of the Human Services website.
Better Start
The Better Start for Children with Disability initiative provides funding for early intervention services. Children aged under six years are eligible for the Better Start program if diagnosed with cerebral palsy, deaf, blindness, down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, hearing impairment or sight impairment. From 1 January 2013, children that are under the age of six and have been diagnosed with Prader Willi, Williams, Angleman, Kabuki, Smith-Magenis, CHARGE, Cornelia de Lange or Cri du Chat syndromes or microcephaly, will also be eligible for access to early intervention funding. For more information visit the website or call 1800 242 636.
Redkite
Redkite provides financial assistance for young people with cancer (up to the age of 24) and their families to help them manage the everyday expenses and keep their focus on the task of caring for themselves, their sick child and one another. Assistance towards extra costs such as travel and accommodation near hospitals, essential household expenses and emergency payments are just some ways Redkite offers support. Contact Redkite support on support@redkite.org.au or 1300 722 644 or visit the Redkite website.
Counselling and emotional support National Carer Counselling Program (NCCP)
The NCCP provides counselling and emotional and psychological support for carers. It aims to reduce stress, improve coping skills and facilitate, where possible, continuation of the caring role. The NCCP is available through the network of Carers Associations in each state and territory and can be contacted on 1800 242 636.
MyTime
MyTime groups provide facilitated peer support for mums, dads, grandparents and anyone else caring for children with a disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition. MyTime groups socialise and share ideas and information with others who understand the rewards and intensity of caring for a child with special needs. Find out more information about MyTime at the website and find a group in your area.
Redkite
Redkite’s team of professional oncology counsellors provide email and phone counselling, information and emotional support for young people with cancer (up to the age of 24) and the families and friends that care for them. Call 1300 722 644 during business hours or email support@redkite.org.au anytime. More info at the Redkite website.
Steps Care for Carers
Steps Care for Carers is a program of support groups, social groups, free counselling and in-home Carer support available throughout the Wide Bay Burnett and Gympie regions. They also offer counselling by Skype for remote Carers and have a private Facebook group just for Carers. The focus is on providing information and building the emotional energy of Carers. The Care for Carers team are incredibly passionate about supporting Carers and being responsive to their needs and feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with Carers on a daily basis. For information on any of their services, contact their office based in Bundaberg on (07) 4150 1900, via email or visit the website.
Mental Health and well-being Mental Health Carers Arafmi Australia
If you provide care to a friend or family member with a mental illness, Mental Health Carers Arafmi Australia is here to provide support and to promote the well-being of people in your situation. View the website here.
Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia Inc (MIFA)
MIFA is a national network of services providers, with members in every state and territory working alongside individuals and families affected by serious mental illness. MIFA’s resources are valued by people affected by mental illness and those who care about them. Visit the MIFA website to find help locally and learn more on YouTube (2011mifa) and Twitter (@mifaoz).
Mi Networks
Mi Networks is a national initiative linking over 100 mental health support service locations around Australia. Offering access to relevant, up-to-date information, peer support and connections to local community networks, Mi Networks members provide a personalised response to the needs of individuals living with mental illness, their carers, friends and family members. To find help today, please telephone 1800 985 944 or visit the website here.
Beyondblue
A national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related disorders in Australia. Beyondblue’s key goal is to raise community awareness about depression and anxiety, and reduce stigma associated with the illness. View the beyondblue website.
Lifeline
Lifeline is a non-profit organisation that provides free, 24-hour Telephone Crisis Support, suicide prevention and mental health support services in Australia. Call 13 11 14 or visit the Lifeline website.
Suicide Call Back Service
The Suicide Call Back Service provides crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers for someone who is suicidal and those bereaved by suicide, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week across Australia. Professional counsellors, with specialist skills in working with suicide-related issues, will assist you in working through difficult emotions. Call 1300 659 467 or visit the website.
Partners in Depression (PiD)
Partners in Depression is an education and support group program for people love, live with or support someone experiencing depression. The program is delivered by two trained facilitators in community setting around Australia. Partners in Depression focuses on developing knowledge about depression, its treatment and where and how to access services. It aims to improve the coping skills of those caring for someone with depression. Visit the website here.
Mental Health and Well Being
The Department of Family, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has a comprehensive site covering programs and services, benefits and payments as well as grants and funding for those either affect by or caring for those with mental illness. Visit the website here.
Caring for an older person Aged Care Australia
Aged Care Australia is a comprehensive source of information about aged care. If you’re an older person or you care for an older family member or friend, you will find information on services available to help you and how you can get started. Visit the website or call or 1800 200 422.
Alzheimer’s Australia
Alzheimer’s Australia is the peak body providing support and advocacy for the 257,000 Australians living with dementia. To find out about this organization and their ‘Fight Dementia’ campaign call 1800 100 500, or visit the website.
Caring for family and friends with an alcohol or drug related problem
Family Drug Support (FDS)
Family Drug Support is primarily made up of volunteers who have experienced first-hand the trauma and chaos of having family members with drug dependency. If you or someone you know cares for a friend or family member with a drug related problem, FDS volunteers can help to diffuse crisis, provide strategies for coping and other information as required. Call 1300 368 186 or visit the website.
Family Drug Help
Family Drug Help (FDH) is a service designed specifically to address the support and information needs of parents, other family members and significant others of someone with problematic alcohol or other drug use. Visit the website or call 1300 660 068.
Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN)
The Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN) is Australia’s leading alcohol and drug search directory. ADIN provides reliable information on alcohol, other drugs and mental health, with links to treatment services, research, statistics, guidelines, journals, policy, campaigns, events, curriculum, professional development opportunities and more. For more information visit the website here or call (03) 9611 6100.
Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
The Alcohol and Drug Information Centres are state and territory-based services that offer information, advice, referral, intake, assessment and support 24 hours a day. They offer services for individuals, their family and friends, general practitioners, other health professionals and community groups. Full contact details for each state can be found here.
Eastern Drug and Alcohol Service (EDAS)
EDAS provides free and confidential alcohol and other drug counseling, support and education in Melbourne’s eastern metropolitan region. For more information call 1300 650 705 or visit the website.
Young carers Carers Australia Young Carers Website
Young Carers Australia represents children or young adults up to the age of 25 who help care in families where someone has an illness, a disability, a mental health issue or who has an alcohol or drug problem. Check out young carers online.
Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI)
COPMI is a not-for-profit organisation, which aims to support, provide online training programs and information for children who have a parent with a mental illness. Visit the website here.
Siblings Australia
Siblings Australia is a national organisation committed to improving the support available for siblings of children and adults with chronic conditions including disability, chronic illness and mental health issues. Visit Siblings Australia here.
headspace
headspace offers support for those aged 12 to 25 years old on a range of issues including depression, anxiety, stress, alcohol and drug use, sexuality, sexual health, personal or family relationship issues and bullying. headspace is a great place for young carers needing support. Visit the headspace website or for online counselling from 9am to 1pm, try eheadspace.org.
Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline is Australia’s free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25. Call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or visit the website.
The National Network of Adult and Adolescent Children who have Mentally ill parent/s (NNAAMI.org)
A national network of children, young people and adults who experience life managing a parent with mental illness. Online and telephone support, website, articles, resources, your stories bulletin boards, counselling and support groups, forums peak body available at nnaami.org.
‘We are the Children Breaking the Silence’
Indigenous carers First Peoples Disability Network
The first national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability. With an aim of bringing individuals with a disability together to share their unique experiences, provide support, and be a voice for positive change on issues of concern. E-mail: damianG@pwd.org.au or (02) 9319 1422
Carers from multi-cultural backgrounds National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA)
The National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) is the national voice advocating for the rights and interests of people from non-English speaking background (NESB) with disability, their families and carers throughout Australia. View the NEDA website.
Family support Family Relationship Services for Carers Program
When families caring for a family member with disability need support, the Australian Government funds community-based organisations through the Family Relationship Services Program to assist them. Find more at the website or call 1800 050 321.
Information for Families of People with Chronic Illness
As the Australian population ages, many older people are living with chronic illnesses for long periods of time. As their health deteriorates, those affected often rely on their family and friends for support and care. Real Time Health provides information for the family and friends of people with chronic illness and an avenue to learn from the experience of others. More information is available on the website.
General information Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)
FaHCSIA works to support carers through programs and services, benefits, and payments for carers. The FaHCSIA website is a good resource for general carer information.
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (DOHA)
DOHA seeks to promote, develop, and fund health and aged care services for the Australian public. The DOHA website has a range of information for aged care and health professionals.
Health Insite
Health Insite is a gateway website that provides links to useful publications and links to support services for carers within Australia. View the website here.
Palliative Care CareSearch
This website is designed for palliative care patients and their families, carers, and health professionals.
Other useful links St Vincent de Paul
Vinnies offers a range of support structures for all kinds of people (including carers in financial need) across the country. A great example of the variety of services available can be found in the ACT, where Vinnies provides camps and activities for people including young carers. Services available differ by state, so make sure you check out the relevant page
ICARE
Icare is a parent support group dedicated to the inclusion and equality of children/young adults with disabilities and their families. This organisation aims to connect the broader Australian caring community.
Disability Online
Disability Online is a useful website interface which links disability resources from all Australian states and territories.
careaware.com.au/carers-resources/locate-services/