Most family carers eventually need time away from caring. Respite care provides short-term support for the person you look after while you take a break. It can happen at home, at a community centre or in an aged care home. For urgent needs, emergency support is available through Carer Gateway. Here is a practical path from the first call to a confirmed booking.
The short version
- Carer Gateway arranges planned and emergency respite on 1800 422 737. Emergency support is available at any time.
- Subsidised aged care services generally require an assessment, and residential respite normally requires approval from an Aged Care Assessor.
- Residential respite is subsidised for up to 63 days per financial year, with possible 21-day extensions.
Step 1: Decide what kind of break you need
Start with the shape of the break rather than the service name. Do you need three hours, a full day, an overnight stay or a week away?
Respite can take place at home, in a community centre or in an aged care home. In-home respite keeps routines and surroundings familiar because a support worker comes to the house. Centre-based respite may suit someone who enjoys company and organised activities. Residential respite, a short stay in an aged care home, may suit longer breaks or recovery periods. Emergency respite is arranged through Carer Gateway.
Step 2: Pick the right pathway
Choose a pathway based on urgency and eligibility.
- Urgent or emergency: Call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. Routine enquiries are handled during standard service hours, while emergency respite support is available at any time.
- Ongoing subsidised support: Contact My Aged Care to arrange an assessment and identify suitable government-funded services.
- Veterans: The Department of Veterans' Affairs offers options for eligible clients, including Emergency Short-Term Home Relief when a carer is suddenly unable to continue. After-hours emergencies can also go through Carer Gateway.
Step 3: Get assessed for subsidised services
Government-subsidised aged care services usually require an assessment. Residential respite normally requires approval from an Aged Care Assessor, while support arranged through Carer Gateway follows its own eligibility and planning process.
My Aged Care can explain the current pathway, arrange the assessment and tell you what documents to prepare. If you're unfamiliar with how Australia's aged care system works, including assessments, home care packages, and respite options, it helps to understand the broader process before you find in home respite care services that match your family's needs.
In an emergency, residential respite may begin before formal approval, but the application must follow within the specified period. Ask the provider to confirm the process and the person's remaining subsidised days before admission.
Step 4: Search and shortlist providers
The My Aged Care Find a Provider tool lets you filter by location and care type, including community and centre-based respite. Residential listings may show Star Ratings, which should be considered with current availability, staffing and whether the home can meet the person's needs.
Directories can widen the search. Aged Care Guide lets families find in home respite care services by postcode, compare listings and view posted vacancies. Availability changes quickly, so confirm listings directly. Use the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission's Provider Register to check registration.
Step 5: Confirm availability, costs and fit
Approval is not a booking. Contact providers directly because eligibility and availability are separate.
Before committing, ask:
- Which hours and days are available, including evenings and weekends
- Whether the same worker can attend each visit
- Whether staff have relevant training, such as dementia care or manual handling
- Which services are included and whether any tasks cost extra
- How cancellations and schedule changes are handled
- What happens if the scheduled worker is unavailable
Residential respite providers can charge a basic daily fee capped at 85% of the single basic age pension. These fees differ from permanent residential care fees. In-home respite charges vary by program, provider and service type, so request a written fee schedule.
Step 6: Book and prepare for the first visit
When practical, begin with a two- or three-hour booking so everyone can test the arrangement before a longer period.
Prepare a one-page care summary covering medications and timing, routines, mobility and safety needs, food preferences, activities, emergency contacts and household details. Afterwards, ask the worker and your loved one how it went, then note changes for the next booking.
If a hospital stay is involved
Respite gives the carer a break, while transition care supports recovery after hospital. If discharge is approaching, ask the hospital's discharge planner about short-term support early. Advance arrangements usually provide more choice than plans made on discharge day.
A 30-minute action plan
- If the need is urgent, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
- If you need ongoing subsidised support, contact My Aged Care to start an assessment.
- Shortlist three providers using Find a Provider and Aged Care Guide.
- Call each provider to confirm dates, hours, fees and cancellation terms.
- Prepare the one-page care summary while the details are fresh.
Arrange respite before exhaustion sets in. A current shortlist from My Aged Care and Aged Care Guide can make future bookings quicker and less stressful.
FAQ
How many days of residential respite can we use each year?
An eligible person can generally receive up to 63 subsidised days per financial year, with possible 21-day extensions.
Do we need an assessment for in-home respite?
Subsidised aged care services generally require a My Aged Care assessment. Carer Gateway has a separate process. Privately paid arrangements may not require a government assessment, but usually cost the full amount.
Does approval guarantee a respite place?
No. Approval establishes eligibility but does not guarantee a worker or residential place on your preferred dates. Confirm availability directly before making other arrangements.
What will residential respite cost?
Providers can charge a basic daily fee capped at 85% of the single basic age pension. Check the current amount with My Aged Care or the provider.
Who should we call after hours in an emergency?
Call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. Emergency respite support is available outside routine service hours.
