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Work out which pathway fits
If the person you care for is 65 or over (50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), the subsidised route is through My Aged Care. If you are the carer needing a break or in crisis, Carer Gateway is your first call — it is separate from Centrelink and My Aged Care.
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Get an aged-care assessment (if needed)
Subsidised respite through My Aged Care requires an aged-care assessment. Call 1800 200 422 or apply online — the assessment decides what respite suits your situation. This can take time, so start early, before you are at breaking point.
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Call Carer Gateway for carer-side support
Call 1800 422 737. Carer Gateway can arrange planned and emergency respite, counselling, coaching, and flexible funding — and they know the local services near you.
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Plan regular breaks, not just emergencies
Respite works best when it is scheduled, not only used in crisis. Even a few hours a week of in-home or day respite protects your health and makes sustained caring possible.
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Keep records for funding reviews
Use the Care Tracker and Budget Tracker to record care needs and out-of-pocket costs. This evidence helps at assessment, funding, and Carer Gateway flexible-funding reviews.
Cassandra's Compass
Respite Services Directory
Genuine Australian respite pathways — what respite is, the main types, and exactly how to access subsidised and emergency respite.
Respite is not a luxury — it is what makes continued caring possible
Regular breaks protect your health, your relationships, and your ability to keep caring. This page brings together the real, current Australian pathways to — subsidised care through My Aged Care, carer-focused support through Carer Gateway, and .
This is an information directory, not a live booking system. We link to the official government services that arrange and fund respite.
Respite Plan & Handover Sheet — plan a break, write down how the day usually runs, and print a handover sheet a stand-in carer can use.
Need emergency respite right now?
Call Carer Gateway 1800 422 737 — the emergency respite line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can call any time, day or night. They can organise emergency respite services to take over care while you recover.
is short-term care that gives a carer a break from the caring role — so the carer can rest, attend appointments, manage an emergency, or simply sleep — while the person they care for continues to receive safe, appropriate care. It is one of the most evidence-supported ways to prevent carer breakdown and delay early institutionalisation.
In-home respite
A support worker comes to your home for a few hours (or a full day) so you can rest, shop, sleep, or keep an appointment. Often funded through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or a Support at Home classification.
Day respite (day programs)
The person you care for attends a day therapy centre, social-support group, or community program for part of the day. Great for social connection and cognitive stimulation — and gives you a reliable, regular break.
Overnight & residential respite
A short stay in an aged-care home (often 1–2 weeks) so you can take a holiday, recover from illness, or simply sleep. Government-subsidised respite in residential care is generally available for up to 63 days per financial year, subject to assessment.
Emergency respite
Arranged at short notice if you suddenly cannot care — because of illness, injury, a family crisis, or an emergency. Call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 any time — emergency respite is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
My Aged Care is the Australian Government entry point for subsidised aged-care services, including respite. Subsidised respite is available to people aged 65 and over (50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples). You need an aged-care assessment to access it.
My Aged Care — 1800 200 422
Call to register, request an assessment, and ask about respite in your area.
Respite care — My Aged Care
Official page explaining residential, in-home and emergency respite and the 63-day yearly entitlement.
Check eligibility & apply online
Use the official eligibility checker before applying for an assessment.
Government-subsidised residential respite is generally available for up to 63 days per financial year, subject to assessment. Confirm current entitlements with My Aged Care.
Carer Gateway is a free Australian Government service specifically for carers — separate from Centrelink and My Aged Care. It arranges both planned and emergency respite, plus counselling, coaching, peer support, and flexible funding packages.
Carer Gateway — 1800 422 737 · general enquiries Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
For general enquiries, planned respite, counselling and coaching, call Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. If you need emergency respite, the same number is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — call any time.
Planned & emergency respite — Carer Gateway
Official page on respite options, including emergency respite when you cannot continue to care.
Carer Gateway — home
Counselling, coaching, peer support, flexible funding and respite for family carers.
Working in respite care? Free DREAM training
DREAM (Dementia Respite Education and Mentoring) is a free Australian Government-funded program from the UTAS Wicking Centre in partnership with Dementia Support Australia — five education modules, a peer Community of Practice, and direct access to Dementia Support Coaches for anyone working in dementia respite care. Visit DREAM or browse all Government Dementia & Aged Care Programs.
Related Resources on Cassandra's Compass
Information last checked 1 October 2026 against My Aged Care and Carer Gateway. Contact numbers and entitlements change — always confirm current details with the official service before relying on them. This page is general information and does not replace professional advice.
Knowledge doesn't just inform care — it transforms it. Every thing you learn about dementia, every framework you understand, every skill you build, translates directly into better moments for the person in front of you. That is why education in aged care is not optional. It is the most powerful act of care we have.
— Cassandra's Compass
Verified against official sources on 1 October 2026