Support services for carers

Access support services that help carers in the community, including parents, grandparents, older carers, young carers and carers from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Support for all carers

• Wellways Carer Gateway is a free service that provides support for anyone caring for a family member or friend who has a disability, mental health condition, chronic health condition, terminal illness, or is frail aged. Services support carers with their own wellbeing to ensure they are in the best place to care for and support one or more other people. For more information call 1300 111 400 or email enquiries@wellways.org.
• Carers Queensland is the peak body representing unpaid carers in Queensland. They support and advocate for people who take on caring roles for family, friends and community members. Find out more about the Our Carer program.
• Arafmi provides support services for mental health carers, including the Carer Support Line, individual and peer support, education and workshops, respite accommodation, and information and service navigation. For more information call 1300 554 660 (24/7 support helpline) or submit a carer support enquiry.
• Carer Gateway is a national online and phone service that provides practical information and resources to support carers. The interactive service finder helps carers connect to local support services. For more information call 1800 422 737 (free call, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).
• Commonwealth Home Support Program helps senior Australians access entry-level support services to live independently and safely at home. It works with older people to support them to maintain their independence rather than doing things for them. For more information call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or apply for an assessment online.
• My Aged Care provides information and advice about disability, aged care and other support services for people over 65 and their carers. For more information call the Commonwealth Aged Care Information Line on 1800 200 422.
• Queensland Community Support Scheme can help people with disability under 65 years of age, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people under 50 years of age, with services provided in the community and in your home. For more information call Community Access Point on 1800 600 300 or register online.

Support for parents

• The Association for Children with a Disability provides resources to assist parents in supporting siblings of a child with a disability.
• Livewire is an online community for young people aged 12 and over living with illness or disability—and their siblings—to chat, connect with others, get creative and have fun.
• MyTime organises supported groups where parents and carers of children with disability or other additional needs can feel understood, share ideas and access quality information and resources.
• Raising Children Network helps parents and carers make decisions that work for them in their individual family circumstances.

Support for grandparents

• Time for Grandparents supports grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.
• MyTime organises supported groups where parents and carers of children with disability or other additional needs can feel understood, share ideas and access quality information and resources.
• Raising Children Network provides information on becoming a grandparent carer or kinship carer.

Support for older carers

If you are an older carer, there may be assistance available for you or the person you care for, including in-home support, centre-based respite and community-based support. In some locations, emergency respite and other flexible respite options may be available. Please check the other support options on this page.

Older carers of adult sons and daughters have usually been caring for a long time and often continue their caring role as they themselves age. As this occurs, it is natural—and necessary—for older carers to need some regular respite and support and to start thinking about planning for the future.

Seniors Enquiry Line is a free, confidential helpline that provides information and referral support to Queensland seniors and their support networks. Call 1300 135 500 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or send an email.

Support for young carers

Find out where to get support if you are a young carer under 25.

Support for carers of veterans

Department of Veterans Affairs provides support and services for veterans and families of veterans.

Mental health support for all carers

• If a person's life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000) immediately for assistance.
• Finding out you are not alone in your situation can do wonders for your wellbeing. Support Groups Qld connects you with people from all walks of life who understand the nuance of your lived experience. Find a support group, call (07) 3344 6919 or send them a message.
• Caring for a person with mental illness can be challenging, depending on the severity of the illness—access mental health help and support.
• For emergency respite support call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
• If the person you care for has a mental health crisis, 24-hour mental health care support is available through the 13 MH CALL mental health access line on phone 1300 642 255.
• Gather My Crew is an Australian charity that provides free tools, education and guidance to help people support each other through tough times.
• If are feeling down or overwhelmed, you can also contact:
  • Lifeline on phone 13 11 14, chat online with one of their crisis supporters, or send them a text message
  • Beyond Blue on phone 1300 224 636 or chat to a counsellor online
  • your GP/doctor
  • your family or friends.