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New carers

2 minute read
There are income and financial supports that could be available to carers. This section provides links to services and information on financial support you may be eligible for.
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2 minute read
As a carer, there are a few things you should know about your tax.
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3 minute read
We know that carers cope best when they have help and support. In Australia, there are many services and supports ready to help you and the person you care for. But we also know that many carers don’t ask for help.
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3 minute read
Many carers find that they go through different ‘stages’ during their caring role. It’s useful to understand that these stages are normal, and you can get help at every stage.
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2 minute read
One of the roles of a carer is to speak up for someone who may not be able to speak for themselves, or who may need help in getting the help or services they need.
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3 minute read
You can do this. You don’t have to know everything all at once. You can get help.
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2 minute read
Once you have some of the
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1 minute read
If you have just started to care for someone, we know you will have many things to do and think about.
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1 minute read
‘Respite’ or ‘respite care’ is when someone else takes care of the person you care for, so that you can have a break.
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1 minute read
As a carer, you’ll often put the needs of the person you care for before your own needs. It’s OK to look after yourself too.
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2 minute read
We know that many young carers find themselves caring for someone and looking after a household before they have all the life skills they need.
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3 minute read
Many people don’t see themselves as carers. They are just children, parents, partners, relatives or friends who care for someone close to them.
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1 minute read
Carers are people who look after someone who needs help with their day-to-day living.
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The person you care for

1 minute read
Sometimes you may not be satisfied with how the person you care for is treated by others. You may be unhappy with a service or the person providing the service.
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1 minute read
Advocacy means that you speak up for someone. You may need to advocate for the person you care for to:
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1 minute read
For whatever reason, at some time you might not be able to continue to look after the person you care for.
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1 minute read
When the person you care for is ready to leave hospital, you will need to plan and prepare for their future care.
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1 minute read
If the person you care for becomes seriously ill or injured, they may go into a hospital.
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1 minute read
Care coordination is about planning a person’s care and support, and sharing information with everyone who helps to care for the person.
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1 minute read
One of your jobs as a carer may be to help the person you care for when they go to appointments with doctors or other health professionals.
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1 minute read
As a carer, you will need to talk with doctors and other health professionals. You will need to tell them about the person you care for so they can provide the best possible treatment.
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1 minute read
If the person you care for can’t manage their financial or legal affairs, a power of attorney can be given to someone else to make decisions for them.
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1 minute read
If the person you care for can't manage their own health affairs and living arrangements, a guardian can be legally appointed to make decisions for them.
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1 minute read
Grief is a natural response to any loss. That loss might be a death, or it might be for the loss of the person as you knew them. If you’re grieving, remember that you’re not alone and help is available.
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1 minute read
When someone dies, there are legal steps that need to happen. You don’t have to do everything alone. You can ask family and friends to help, and there is a lot of help available from government and community groups.
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1 minute read
The person you care for may die at home. This may happen unexpectedly, or it might be something you have planned for. Even if you know the person you care for is dying, it can be hard to predict when the death will actually happen.
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1 minute read
Palliative care is care for a person at the end of their life.
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1 minute read
Both you and the person you care for should have wills. A will lets others know what you would like to happen after you die.
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1 minute read
Even if you’ve been providing care for a person for years, the last few weeks and days of their life can be hard.
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1 minute read
As a carer, you may need to help the person you care for to move around. For example, you may need to move them from a bed to a wheelchair, or in and out of a car.
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2 minute read
It is important to make sure the person you care for is getting enough nutrition. It is also important to allow them to be as independent as possible during meals.
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1 minute read
Eating the right food can help to keep you and the person you care for healthy. You need to make sure the person has food that’s nutritious, that they like, and that they can eat.
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4 minute read
It can be particularly stressful to support a loved one who has a condition that affects their mood, thinking and behaviour. If you are looking after someone with a mental illness, you need help and support too.
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3 minute read
Carers of veterans face a range of different stresses and pressures. If you care for a veteran, you can use the same supports and resources as other carers.
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3 minute read
Explore our 10 tips about what you can do to make life easier if you are a carer looking after your sibling.
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1 minute read
If you care for a child, both you and the person you care for will face new issues as they grow up and become more independent.
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3 minute read
Explore our 10 tips about what you can do to make life easier if you are a carer and a parent.
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3 minute read
Explore our 10 tips about what you can do to make life easier if you are a carer looking after a person with disability.
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3 minute read
Explore our 10 tips about what you can do to make life easier if you are a carer looking after an elderly person.
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2 minute read
There are many organisations that can provide supports, services and payments for the person you care for. Browse a list of organisations to see what payments and services are available.
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Working while caring

2 minute read
Your employer doesn’t have to agree to your suggestions about arrangements that might help you. But it's still worth asking – you don’t know what the answer will be and you may be able to negotiate a solution.
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2 minute read
It’s a good idea to talk with your employer about how to balance being an employee and a carer.
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2 minute read
As a carer, you have rights in the workplace. It helps to know your rights so you can get the help you need to combine working with caring.
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Studying while caring

2 minute read
As a carer, you’ll often put the needs of the person you care for before your own needs. It’s OK to look after yourself too.
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1 minute read
If you are a student at school, university or other training centre, you may be able to get support to help you to combine studying and caring.
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3 minute read
Many students also care for someone and this can be hard. The time and energy that caring takes can interfere with your study. This is true for all students, whether you are a young high school student, an older university student or a returning continuing education student.
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Many students also care for someone and this can be hard. The time and energy that caring takes can interfere with your study.
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Experiences and backgrounds

3 minute read
Courtney looks after her mum, who has multiple sclerosis. She knows that carers need their own support, so they can continue to support the person they care for.
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1 minute read
Eating disorders can have a significant physical and emotional impact on the person affected, and their carer.
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1 minute read
If you are aged 25 or under and care for someone, you may be a young carer.
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3 minute read
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual + (LGBTIQA+) carers face the same stresses and pressures as other carers. But you may also face added problems of discrimination.
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2 minute read
Acknowledgement of Country
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If you care for a family member or friend with disability, a medical condition, mental illness, or who is frail due to age, then Carer Gateway offers free support and services for those in a caring
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