Respite

Respite Care

Respite care supports you and your carer by giving you both a break for a short period of time. It can help give you and your carer the time and space to do things independently. 

Do you need a break?

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care allows the primary family carer to have the breaks they need to fulfill other commitments, including work, study, and other family obligations.

Check My Eligibility

Eligibility for this program is based on your support needs and age. 
If you’re having trouble with everyday tasks and feel that a little support could improve your health and wellbeing, CHSP could be right for you.
To be eligible for this program, you must be aged:
  • 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), or
  • 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of being homeless.
Check if you meet the requirements for an assessment or if you are ready, apply for an assessment now.
If your needs are more complex, a Home Care Package could be better suited to you.

Do you need a break?

Where does it take place?

We’ll care for you in your home, at a residential aged care centre or one of our wellness centres – stepping in for your primary carer.

Home-based Flexible Respite

At Your Own Home
  • Available in the day or overnight
  • Weekdays, weekends and public holidays
  • A paid carer coming to your home regularly, occasionally or for one-off support.

Community respite - Flexible respite

Community respite is provided under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) to those found eligible. The CHSP supports the relationship between you and your carer through a range of planned respite services that allow carers to take a break from their usual caring duties.
Flexible respite is available in the day or overnight. It can be provided in your home or in the community. It usually involves a paid carer coming to your home so that your usual carer can take a short break. 
Am I eligible for community respite?
If you are an older person who requires support, you may be eligible for community respite.
Your eligibility will be assessed during your face-to-face assessment organised through a My Aged Care Regional Assessment Service (RAS).
Read more about how to access community respite services under the CHSP
You can check if you are eligible for an assessment OR apply online for an assessment, or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to get started.

Residential Respite

At Aged Care Home
  • 24/7 around the clock
  • A few days through to a few weeks at a time
  • Will be entitled to the same care and support services as permanent residents.

Residential respite

Residential respite in an aged care home is available for a few days through to a few weeks at a time. Residential respite is best suited if you need ongoing, continuous carer support for most tasks.
During your short stay, you will be entitled to the same care and support services as permanent residents. For instance, you will be given a room and hotel-type services such as meals, laundry and social activities, as well as services to meet your personal and care needs. 
Based on your initial ACAT assessment, you will be approved for either low or high level care. This will determine the level of respite subsidy your provider will receive, and ensure you receive care appropriate to your needs. Being approved for high level care allows you to access low level care, but not vice-versa.
Am I eligible for residential respite?
You may be eligible for residential respite care if you are an older person who has a carer to help you with your day-to-day care needs. 
You will need a face-to-face assessment to determine your eligibility. The criteria are the same for permanent residential care. If eligible, your assessor will also work with you and your carer to find a suitable aged care home. 
You can access residential respite in addition to receiving support from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or a Home Care Package. However, you cannot access residential respite care if you are already permanently living in an aged care home.
Read more about residential respite and how to access these services. 
You can check if you are eligible for an assessment OR apply online for an assessment, or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to get started.

Community respite - Centre-based respite

Community respite is provided under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) to those found eligible. The CHSP supports the relationship between you and your carer through a range of planned respite services that allow carers to take a break from their usual caring duties.
Centre-based respite is available during the day. It provides you with the opportunity to talk and interact with other people, and usually takes place at a day centre, club or residential setting. Day respite often runs from 10am to 3pm and may include transport to and from the centre. 
Am I eligible for community respite?
If you are an older person who requires support, you may be eligible for community respite.
Your eligibility will be assessed during your face-to-face assessment organised through a My Aged Care Regional Assessment Service (RAS).
Read more about how to access community respite services under the CHSP
You can check if you are eligible for an assessment OR apply online for an assessment, or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to get started.

Centre-based Respite

At Wellness Centre
  • Available during the day
  • Day respite often runs from 10am to 3pm
  • May include transport (additional cost)
  • May include meals and snacks

Call Us on 1800 882 288

Contact our centre coordinators directly and they will happily talk to you and your carer (where appropriate) to help them understand your interests, preferences, and support needs and develop a service plan for you. This plan is reviewed regularly to ensure it continues to meet your needs.

Get Excited to move

The Process is Easy!

1

Register with My Aged Care

Call 1800 200 422 or visit My Aged Care to enrol into one of our aged care facilities, a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) or Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will discuss your needs and suitability. 

2

Find your type

Once you’ve received approval and been allocated funding after assessment.
You can enjoy our different types of respite services.

3

Time to take a Break

Call us on 1800 882 288 or email [email protected], we provide tailored resipte services for every client,  to meet your goals and needs.

Enquire Online

You are always in our care.

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