Respite & Support

Respite Care Options in Australia: A Complete Guide for Family Carers

You can't pour from an empty cup. Respite care isn't a luxury — it's how sustainable caregiving works.

One in eight Australians provides unpaid care to a family member or friend. Many do it willingly, lovingly — and exhaustingly. Carer burnout doesn't happen because you don't care enough. It happens because you care too much, for too long, without a break. This guide covers every respite option available to Australian families: what each type involves, how much it costs, how to access government funding, and what to do when you need a break right now.

Types of Respite Care

Respite care comes in many forms. The right choice depends on your parent's needs, your situation, and what's available in your area. Here's an overview of every major type.

Type	Duration	Where	Cost Range	Best For
In-home respite	A few hours to overnight	Your parent's home	$35–$65/hour (private); subsidised via CHSP/HCP	Parents who are anxious about leaving home; those with dementia who need familiar surroundings
Day programs (centre-based)	Half day or full day	Community centre or aged care facility	$10–$25/day (subsidised); $60–$120/day (private)	Social isolation; parents who benefit from structured activities and group interaction
Overnight residential	1 night to 2 weeks	Residential aged care facility	$55–$75/day (subsidised); $250–$450/day (private)	When carer needs extended break; post-hospital transition; trialling residential care
Emergency respite	Immediate to 7 days	Varies — home, facility, or host family	Often free or heavily subsidised (crisis funding)	Carer hospitalisation, family emergency, severe burnout crisis
Cottage respite	2–14 days	Small homelike setting (4–8 residents)	$50–$90/day (subsidised); limited private availability	Parents who would feel overwhelmed in a large facility; those with mild dementia
Flexible / creative respite	Varies	Community, home, or remote	Varies — often informal or low-cost	Informal options like community visitors, companion calls, neighbour arrangements, or short outings

Costs are indicative and vary by provider, location, and funding eligibility. Subsidised rates require a My Aged Care assessment.

Government-Funded Respite

The Australian Government subsidises respite care through several programs. You may be eligible for one or more of these, depending on your parent's assessed needs and your circumstances as a carer.

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (CRCC)

CRCCs are the frontline of respite support in Australia. They help carers find, coordinate, and access respite services — including emergency respite when you need a break urgently. Think of them as your first call when you don't know where to start.

What they do: Assess your respite needs, connect you with local providers, coordinate bookings, and provide information about available services. They can also arrange emergency respite within 24–48 hours in crisis situations.

How to access: Call the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 (free call) or the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222. No referral is needed — you can self-refer as a carer.

Eligibility: Any unpaid carer of an older Australian (65+, or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). You don't need to be receiving Carer Payment or Carer Allowance to access respite coordination.

Cost: The coordination service is free. Respite services arranged through CRCC may have a small client contribution, typically $10–$25 per session, depending on the type of care.

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) Respite

CHSP is the entry-level government aged care program. It provides basic support services including respite for people with lower-level care needs. This is often the first funded respite families access.

Hours available: Typically 2–4 hours per week of in-home respite, or access to centre-based day programs. Hours vary by region and provider availability. Some areas offer more generous allocations.

Client contribution: CHSP operates on a co-contribution basis. Most providers charge $5–$15 per hour for in-home respite, and $10–$25 per day for centre-based programs. Fees are income-tested, and providers cannot refuse service based on inability to pay.

How to access: Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Your parent will need a phone-based screening assessment, followed by a face-to-face Regional Assessment Service (RAS) assessment. Processing typically takes 2–6 weeks.

Limitation: CHSP respite hours are modest. If your parent needs more than a few hours per week, a Home Care Package is the next step up.

Home Care Package (HCP) Respite

Home Care Packages provide a larger budget for care and support at home, including respite. You can use your HCP budget to purchase respite services that suit your family's needs.

Using your budget: HCP recipients can allocate any portion of their package budget to respite. A Level 2 package (approx. $16,900/year) might allocate $3,000–$5,000 for respite; a Level 4 package (approx. $58,400/year) could fund regular weekly respite and occasional residential stays.

Flexibility: You choose the type of respite — in-home, centre-based, overnight, or a combination. Discuss with your Home Care Package provider to build a care plan that includes regular respite breaks for you.

Wait times: The HCP waitlist varies significantly. As of early 2026, Level 1–2 packages may be assigned within 3–6 months; Level 3–4 packages can take 6–12 months or longer. Interim CHSP services can bridge the gap.

Key point: Many families don't realise respite is a legitimate HCP expense. If your provider hasn't suggested it, ask directly. A good provider will actively encourage carer respite as part of sustainable care planning.

DVA Respite (Veterans' Home Care)

If your parent is a veteran or the partner of a veteran with a Gold or White Card, the Department of Veterans' Affairs provides respite through the Veterans' Home Care program.

What's available: In-home respite, centre-based day care, and residential respite stays. DVA respite is generally more generous than CHSP, with up to 196 hours per year of in-home respite and 28 days of residential respite.

Cost: DVA respite is usually free or very low cost for eligible veterans. Carers of DVA-funded clients can also access carer-specific supports.

How to access: Contact the DVA on 1800 555 254 or speak to your parent's DVA-coordinated care provider. A needs assessment through Veterans' Home Care will determine the level of respite available.

Note: DVA clients can also access My Aged Care services if they need additional support beyond their DVA entitlements. The two systems can work together.

How to Access Respite: Step by Step

The aged care system can feel bureaucratic, but the process for accessing respite is more straightforward than many families expect. Here are the five steps.

Call My Aged Care

Phone 1800 200 422 (free call, 8am–8pm weekdays, 10am–2pm Saturdays). You can call on behalf of your parent. Have their Medicare number ready. The initial phone screening takes about 15–20 minutes and covers their health, living situation, and care needs.

ACAT / ACAS Assessment

For CHSP services, a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) assessor will visit your parent at home. For Home Care Packages or residential respite, an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT, or ACAS in Victoria) will conduct a more comprehensive assessment. This is free and typically happens within 2–4 weeks of the phone screening. The assessor will talk to both your parent and you about care needs, including your needs as a carer.

Receive Your Referral

After assessment, you'll receive a letter or My Aged Care online notification confirming the services your parent is approved for. For CHSP, this includes specific service types like “respite care” and “social support — group.” For HCP, it confirms the package level. You'll also receive a referral code to give to providers.

Choose a Provider

Use the My Aged Care Find a Provider tool at myagedcare.gov.au to compare respite providers in your area. Look at their respite types, availability, fees, and reviews. You can contact multiple providers before choosing. Don't feel locked in — you can change providers later if it's not working.

Book Respite

Contact your chosen provider to arrange respite. Book well in advance for planned breaks — popular providers fill up quickly during school holidays and summer. For regular respite (e.g., every Tuesday), set up a standing booking. For emergency respite, call the CRCC on 1800 052 222 — they can often arrange care within 24–48 hours.

Costs Explained

Respite costs depend on the type of care, your parent's assessed level, and their income. Here's what to expect under the subsidised system.

Respite Type	Government Subsidy	Your Contribution (approx.)	Maximum Days / Year
CHSP in-home respite	Government pays majority of cost	$5–$15 per hour	No formal cap; depends on assessment
CHSP centre-based day program	Government pays majority of cost	$10–$25 per day	Typically 1–3 days per week
Residential respite (subsidised)	Government pays ~85% of cost	$55.09/day (standard rate, 2025–26)	63 days per financial year (extendable to 84 with approval)
Emergency respite (CRCC)	Fully funded in crisis situations	Often free; may be nominal fee	Usually up to 7 days; can be extended
HCP-funded respite	Drawn from package budget	Basic daily fee ($11.62/day, 2025–26)	No formal cap; limited by budget allocation
Private respite (unfunded)	None	$35–$65/hour (in-home); $250–$450/day (residential)	No limit

The 63-day residential respite limit: Your parent can access up to 63 days of government-subsidised residential respite per financial year (1 July – 30 June). If you need more, your ACAT assessor can approve an additional 21 days (84 days total) in exceptional circumstances. Days don't need to be consecutive — you can spread them across the year as needed. If your parent is on the waitlist for permanent residential care, respite days do not count toward their allocation.

Emergency Respite: When You Need a Break Now

If you're in crisis — hospitalised, dealing with a family emergency, or at the point of burnout — emergency respite can be arranged within 24–48 hours.

Call immediately:

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre — 1800 052 222 (business hours). After hours, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.

What happens next:

A coordinator will assess your situation over the phone and arrange emergency in-home care or a short residential placement within 24–48 hours. If your parent doesn't have a current ACAT assessment, emergency respite can still proceed — the assessment can happen afterwards.

Cost:

Emergency respite is often fully funded for the first 7 days in crisis situations. There may be a small daily contribution if it extends beyond the initial period. Cost should never be a barrier — communicate your financial situation to the coordinator.

Don't wait until you collapse. If you're thinking “I can't do this anymore,” that's exactly when to call. Emergency respite exists for this moment.

Making the Most of Respite

Book Regular, Not Crisis

Schedule respite as a recurring commitment, not something you scramble for when you hit breaking point. A regular Tuesday day program or fortnightly weekend respite prevents burnout before it starts. Think of it like preventive medicine for carers.

Trial Different Providers

Not every provider suits every person. If your parent didn't enjoy the first day program, try another. Some facilities focus on arts and crafts, others on physical activity or music. Your parent is more likely to accept respite if they genuinely enjoy the experience.

Prepare Your Parent

Visit the facility or meet the in-home carer together before the first session. Familiarity reduces anxiety. Prepare a “care sheet” with your parent's preferences, routines, medications, and emergency contacts so staff can provide personalised care.

Use the Time for Yourself

Respite is not for catching up on errands (though sometimes that's unavoidable). The real value is doing something that restores you — sleeping in, seeing a friend, going for a walk, sitting in a cafe alone. Guilt is normal. Ignoring your needs is not sustainable.

Don't Feel Guilty

Research consistently shows that carers who take regular breaks provide better care. Your parent benefits when you're rested and emotionally well. Taking respite is not abandoning them — it's ensuring you can continue caring for them. The data is clear: respite improves outcomes for both carer and care recipient.

Carer Support Services

Beyond respite, these organisations provide support specifically for carers — including counselling, financial assistance, peer support, and practical help.

Service	Phone	What They Provide
Carer Gateway	1800 422 737	Free counselling (up to 6 sessions), emergency respite coordination, peer support groups, coaching, online skills courses, and a self-guided wellbeing program. Available to all unpaid carers nationally.
Carers Australia	(02) 6280 5744	National advocacy body for carers. Provides policy updates, connects you to state/territory carer associations, and offers information on carer rights and entitlements. Website: carersaustralia.com.au
Carer Payment (Centrelink)	132 717	Income support payment for carers who provide constant care and are unable to work in substantial employment. Means-tested. Currently ~$1,020/fortnight (single, March 2026). Also provides a Health Care Card for discounted prescriptions.
Carer Allowance (Centrelink)	132 717	Supplementary payment for carers providing daily care. Not income or asset tested. Currently $144.40/fortnight (March 2026). Can be received in addition to Carer Payment or while working. Annual $600 Carer Supplement paid in July.
State Carer Associations	Varies by state	Local support groups, respite coordination, carer retreats, training workshops, and advocacy. Each state has its own association: Carers NSW, Carers Victoria, Carers QLD, Carers WA, Carers SA, Carers TAS, Carers ACT, Carers NT.

When Your Parent Resists Respite

Most elderly parents resist respite at first. They see it as a step toward “being put in a home” or feel they're burdening you by needing care. These feelings are real and valid — but shouldn't stop you from getting the break you need.

Call It a “Holiday,” Not “Respite”

The word “respite” sounds clinical and scary. Frame it as “a short break” or “a holiday” or “trying out the day club.” Language matters enormously. Your parent is more likely to agree to something that sounds enjoyable rather than medical.

Start with Day Programs

Overnight stays feel like a big commitment. A weekly day program — especially one with activities your parent enjoys like gardening, music, or arts — is far less threatening. Many parents end up looking forward to their “club day” once they settle in and make friends.

Find Activities They Enjoy

If your parent loved cooking, find a program with a cooking element. If they were social, find one with a lively group dynamic. If they prefer quiet activities, look for smaller cottage-style programs. The closer the match, the less resistance you'll face. Ask the provider about their activity calendar before committing.

Involve Their Friends

If you know another family in a similar situation, suggest attending a day program together. Going with a friend completely changes the experience — it becomes a social outing rather than something imposed by a worried child. Some community centres actively encourage “buddy” enrolments.

Carer Burnout Warning Signs

If you recognise three or more of these signs in yourself, you need respite — not next month, now. Carer burnout is real, measurable, and treatable, but only if you act on it.

You feel exhausted even after sleeping. Physical fatigue that rest doesn't fix is a hallmark of burnout. Your body is running on stress hormones, not energy.

You're snapping at the person you care for. Irritability toward your parent — even when you know they can't help it — is one of the earliest signs of carer fatigue.

You've stopped seeing friends or doing things you enjoy. When caregiving consumes your entire identity, you lose the parts of yourself that keep you resilient.

You feel resentful about your caring role. Resentment doesn't mean you don't love them. It means you're giving more than you have. This is a sustainability problem, not a character flaw.

Your own health is suffering. Skipping your own medical appointments, ignoring symptoms, or not exercising because there's no time. Carers have a 40% higher risk of depression than non-carers.

You feel anxious when you're away from your parent. Constant worry that something will go wrong when you're not there — even for a few hours. This hypervigilance is exhausting.

You're using alcohol or medication to cope. A glass of wine to “unwind” that's become a bottle. Needing sleeping pills to switch off. These are coping mechanisms that signal the stress has exceeded your capacity.

You've thought “I can't do this anymore.” If this thought has crossed your mind, it's not a failure. It's your mind telling you that you've reached a limit. Please call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 today.

Respite Doesn't Have to Mean Leaving Home

For many families, the biggest gap isn't during planned respite — it's the daily worry between visits. Is your parent eating? Did they sleep? Are they feeling lonely today?

A daily check-in call can provide a layer of support that runs alongside respite. It doesn't replace in-person care, but it fills the gaps — giving you peace of mind and your parent a consistent, caring touchpoint every day. Some families find that a daily companion call reduces the urgency of respite because it lowers the daily stress of not knowing how your parent is doing.

The best care strategies combine formal respite (for you), daily monitoring (for peace of mind), and in-person visits (for connection). No single service does everything — but together, they create a sustainable safety net.

Give Them Connection. Give Yourself Peace of Mind.

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