Support for carers
We can connect you to other carers, provide advice and guidance, give you a break when you need it and offer services to make caring easier.
See how we can help you. Let us share the care.
Need help now?
Carer Gateway is Australia’s national carer support network, providing in-person, phone and online services and support to unpaid carers all over Australia. Carers ACT is the delivery partner of the Carer Gateway in the Australian Capital Territory.
Access a range of emergency or respite support through the Carer Gateway.
Not all carers will need to be connected with Carers ACT all of the time. And you don’t have to know what specific support you need when you register as a carer. We can help you work this out.
I’d like to:
If you are feeling stressed, anxious, sad or frustrated, you can talk to a counsellor either in person, or over the phone in the comfort of your own home.
You can also call the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
| Care Planning
We can work in partnership with you to identify your needs as a carer, support you with skills and resources, help you have more time for yourself, foster relationships and navigate the mental health system. If you support someone with a mental illness who may be eligible for NDIS, but are unsure of how to proceed, please get in touch. Delivered by Carers ACT and funded by Carer Gateway.
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| Counselling
If you are feeling stressed, anxious, sad or frustrated, a counsellor can talk with you either in person or over the phone in the comfort of your own home. Access counselling
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| Coaching
Coaching is about taking time out to think about your own wellbeing and consider how you can find space in your life to balance your needs and the needs of the people you care for. Work one-on-one with a coach to identify, explore and move towards your own personal goals. Delivered by Carers ACT and funded by Carer Gateway.
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| Short stay cottage respite for frail aged and people living with dementia
We provide a home-away-from-home environment for the person you care for when things get complicated, difficult or a carer encounters something unexpected. You can take a break knowing our service providers are looking after the person you care for. Planned respite care can also help you plan for regular breaks to rest and recharge. This service is available if the person you care for has dementia, and in some cases for aged care and other conditions. |
| The HUB Day Program
The HUB Day Program is designed for people between 18 and 50 living with mild to medium cognitive disability. It aims to enhance the individual’s social and independent living skills, to develop interests and abilities, and to participate in the community. The program aims to support the progress towards each participant’s NDIS goals focusing on the goal domains of Independence, Social Participation, Health & Wellbeing and Community Access & Inclusion. The service operates Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm at Carers ACT (2/80 Beaurepaire Crescent, Holt) offering a range of skill development and engaging activities. The activities are interactive and adapted to the participant’s NDIS goals, abilities and interests and include activities such as: growing and cooking your own ingredients, music, yoga, photography, dance, gym, walking, art and craft, social outings and adventures. The program also enables participants to work on a range of skill building activities such as ironing, coffee making, washing, making a bed, basic personal care skills, household cleaning and safety. For more information about the aims, objectives and policies of the program, please refer to The Hub Carers Handbook. We also have an easy-to-read guide for families and participants, The Disability Program Participant Handbook. Email us
Note: Carers ACT is a registered provider of NDIS services. We claim the Temporary Transition Payment (TTP) which is a temporary payment that assists us to transition to the NDIS (see the NDIS website and price guide for further information). The amount we charge for attendance at the Hub program is the TTP price for group activities in a Centre. For pricing visit the Service policies and fees page. |
Sharing stories, knowledge and experience with other carers can remind you that you’re not alone. You can do this with people in your area by finding an event for you.
Find an eventRegister as a carer and talk to a care planner about supports, wellbeing and events to help you look after yourself and the person you care for.
Register todayYou can also sign up for regular updates through our newsletter.
| The Carer Gateway provides online Carer Skills courses offering information, insights and practical tips to help you develop new understanding and skills important in your caring role.
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| The online Carer Gateway Self-guided Coaching Service provides you with the opportunity to explore how your caring role affects different areas of your life.
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| In-person and online peer support groups – you might like to meet with people like you who care for someone and share stories, knowledge and experience. You can do this with people in your area or you can join the carer forum online. |
| In-person and phone counselling – if you are feeling stressed, anxious, sad or frustrated, a counsellor can talk with you either in person or over the phone in the comfort of your own home. |
| In-person and online self-guided coaching – you can talk to a professional coach to reflect on your experience and needs, identify personal goals and create a plan to reach these goals, or you can work through interactive online coaching sessions at your own pace. There are a range of topics to help you in your caring role. |
| Tailored support packages and planned respite
Tailored support packages are designed to provide you with services and support specific to your needs to help you in your caring role.
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| Short stay cottage respite for frail aged and people living with dementia
We provide a home-away-from-home environment for the person you care for when things get complicated, difficult or a carer encounters something unexpected. You can take a break knowing our service providers are looking after the person you care for. Planned respite care can also help you plan for regular breaks to rest and recharge. This service is available if the person you care for has dementia, and in some cases for aged care and other conditions. |
| NDIS Support Coordination
If you care for a person who is under 65 years old, with a permanent or significant disability, then it is likely they are accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Carers ACT is a registered NDIS Provider. We can support you, and the person you care for, to coordinate and implement the supports identified in their NDIS plan. We take direction from you about how you want to manage your plan. You might choose to allocate some responsibilities to us, while you take others. The choice and control is yours. Together, we can work toward your goals. Carers ACT is a registered provider of NDIS services. Our fees are in accordance with the NDIS price guide and support catalogue. For more information, email disability@carersact.org.au. |
| The HUB Day Program
The HUB Day Program is designed for people between 18 and 50 living with mild to medium cognitive disability. It aims to enhance the individual’s social and independent living skills, to develop interests and abilities, and to participate in the community. The program aims to support the progress towards each participant’s NDIS goals focusing on the goal domains of Independence, Social Participation, Health & Wellbeing and Community Access & Inclusion. The service operates Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm at Carers ACT (2/80 Beaurepaire Crescent, Holt) offering a range of skill development and engaging activities. The activities are interactive and adapted to the participant’s NDIS goals, abilities and interests and include activities such as: growing and cooking your own ingredients, music, yoga, photography, dance, gym, walking, art and craft, social outings and adventures. The program also enables participants to work on a range of skill building activities such as ironing, coffee making, washing, making a bed, basic personal care skills, household cleaning and safety. For more information about the aims, objectives and policies of the program, please refer to The Hub Carers Handbook. We also have an easy-to-read guide for families and participants, The Disability Program Participant Handbook. Email us
Note: Carers ACT is a registered provider of NDIS services. We claim the Temporary Transition Payment (TTP) which is a temporary payment that assists us to transition to the NDIS (see the NDIS website and price guide for further information). The amount we charge for attendance at the Hub program is the TTP price for group activities in a Centre. For pricing visit the Service policies and fees page. |
| Access to emergency respite
If you suddenly find you can’t provide care, for example if you become ill or injured. Service providers will find ways to look after the person you care for while you recover.
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| The Carer Navigator
The Carer Navigator is an online resource to help mental health carers navigate the mental health system in the ACT. It includes information about the stepped system of care used in the ACT, how to find services appropriate for your needs, information about carer rights and supports and even a guide to the language used in the mental health system. The Carer Navigator is maintained and updated by Mental Health Carers Voice. |
“When you are caring for someone, the focus is constantly on them, not you. Caring is a tough gig, it is great attending activities at Carers ACT, as the focus is on you and you feel that you matter too. The Carers ACT staff are always friendly and supportive.”
We can connect you with the right services to meet your needs, when you need them. You choose what works for you and the person you are caring for. Personalised and flexible support can help you stay healthy, happy and well-connected in your caring role.
Follow Xi’s journey
Xi was connected to our NDIS support coordinator who help him, and his daughter identify his goals and obtain the supports and services needed to achieve these.