Carer Gateway Services
Emotional and practical support for carers
- Do you look after a family member or friend with disability, a medical condition, mental illness or who is frail due to age?
- Do you caring responsibilities affect your wellbeing or your ability to work, study or socialise?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, Carer Gateway can help you!
Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing a range of free services and support just for carers. Services are delivered in-person, online and over the phone.
Find the support you need
As a carer, you will have many things to do and think about for the person you care for.
Through the Carer Gateway program there are a range of supports available to support you. The type of support available depends on your individual needs!
- Counselling- If you feel stressed, sad or angry, a counsellor can talk through your worries and help you.
- Coaching- Learn new ways to manage stress and improve your wellbeing.
- Peer Support- Meet and talk with people like you who care for someone. Share stories, knowledge and experience.
- Respite Care
- Financial Support
If you would like more information about our Carer Gateway services, call NWRH on 1800 799 244.
Support close to home
NWRH delivers Carer Gateway services from offices located in Townsville, Mount Isa, Longreach, Normanton, Doomadgee and Mornington Island.
Outreach services are also regularly provided to the communities of Barcaldine, Blackall, Tambo, Winton, Jundah, Windorah, Camooweal, Julia Creek, Cloncurry and Karumba.
Frequently Asked Questions
Carer Gateway can support people who are unpaid carers as defined by the Carer Recognition Act 2010:
(1) For the purpose of this Act, a carer is an individual who provides personal care, support and assistance to another individual who needs it because that other individual:
(a) has a disability; or
(b) has a medical condition (including a terminal or chronic illness); or
(c) has a mental illness; or
(d) is frail and aged.
(2) An individual is not a carer in respect of care, support and assistance he or she provides:
(a) under a contract of service or a contract for the provision of services; or
(b) in the course of doing voluntary work for a charitable, welfare or community organisation; or
(c) as part of the requirements of a course of education or training.
(3) To avoid doubt, an individual is not a carer merely because he or she:
(a) is the spouse, de facto partner, parent, child or other relative of an individual, or is the guardian of an individual; or
(b) lives with an individual who requires care.
Carers can self-refer or be referred by a health professional by contacting an NWRH Carer Gateway Community Engagement Officer.Â
What’s the process?:
- Intake and registration
- Carers STAR assessment
- Referred to appropriate services
*After the Carers STAR is completed, you are then referred to the supports and services you have asked for in your carers star conversation.
Each region in Australia has a Carer Gateway service provider who either provides services and support to you directly or organises support for you through another organisation. For example, respite care. When you call Carer Gateway, you will speak to your local service provider. This means that the person you talk to knows what support and services are available in the area.
