Carers Associations
In each State and Territory there is a Carers Association working to bring the needs, views and concerns of carers to the attention of the community as a whole including government, policy makers, health professionals and service providers.

The Associations all operate a Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre and offer a range of services and support such as:

• information and referral services
• carer support services such as counselling, carer support groups and friendship groups
• advocacy - lobbying state and territory governments, service providers, policy makers and the media about issues affecting carers
• carers newsletters
• community development
• education and development - workshops and information sessions to carers and service providers
• research and policy
• respite coordination.

Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres
Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres are a part of the Carers Association in each State and Territory and provide carers with referral to services and practical written information to support them in their caring role.

Carers can receive services and free information on a range of topics, including:

• support services
• counselling
• emotional support
• home help
• respite
• health and well-being
• financial entitlements
• legal matters
• safety at home and managing medications
• loss and grief.

The Centres work in a variety of ways to:

• improve carers' access to a wide range of reliable and relevant information,
• improve access to services and assistance
• ensure services are appropriate to the needs of carers and those they care for
• improve carers' capacity to undertake their caring role
• increase appropriate use of volunteers for carer support
• enhance recognition and awareness of carers' roles and needs among service providers such as agencies, groups, health professionals and organisations.

Carers can call their Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre on 1800 242 636* to speak to an experienced and friendly staff member and to receive tailored information on a range of topics, referrals, support, counseling and resources. Most of these services are free.

Further information:

The Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres are funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and form part of the National Respite for Carers Program. For more information contact:

Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres: 1800 242 636*

Carer Respite Centres: 1800 059 059*
Carer Associations and Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres

National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP)

The National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) is one of several initiatives designed to support and assist relatives and friends caring at home for people who are unable to care for themselves because of chronic illness, disability or frailty.

The Program provides:

• information and support for carers; and
• assistance to help carers take a break from caring (this is called respite).

Under the Program there are approximately 90 Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres and outlets established across Australia and a Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre has been established in each state and territory capital city. There is also one national Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre.

The Program funds:

• Respite Services;
• Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres;
• Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres; and
• National Carer Counselling Program

Further Carer Information

Caring can be very demanding and carers sometimes need help and support. There is a range of information and support available for carers. More information can be gained from the Department of Health & Ageing website, including:

Carer publications including the Carer Information Pack are available to download or you can order them from the Aged Care Free Publications Order Form.

• Further Departmental carer information is available on Continence, Dementia, Mental Health and Palliative Care. Other Australian Government Departments and agencies that can assist carers are Department of Family and Community Service Disability Programs and Department of Veterans' Affairs.
• If you are caring for an older person or a person with a disability, you may be eligible for financial assistance such as the Carer Allowance and Carer Payment available through Centrelink.
• Further information and support is available to carers from Carers Australia, a national organisation for carers of people with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged.
• Relevant legislation relating to residential respite care and Carer Allowance.

Visit the Department of Health & Ageing website at www.health.gov.au

*Information supplied by the Careers Association of Australia website and was correct at the time of going to print. Please check for www.carersaustralia.com.au updates. Last Updated - August 2008 (Intouch). *1800# are free calls except when using a mobile phone, calls from mobiles will be charged at higher rates. *1300#s are charged at the cost of a local call - call rates will be higher from mobiles.