Am I Eligible For This Service?

To access supports and services, you must be:

• an unpaid carer for a family member, friend or partner who has a disability, mental illness, chronic health issue or an older person with care needs.

• in a caring role that is ongoing, or likely to be, for six months – this does not apply to palliative care.

What’s not required:

• No citizenship, residence, or visa requirements

• Not means-tested

• Not affected by other government supports such as NDIS, Home Care Package or pension

• You don’t have to live with the person you care for

• You don’t have to be the main source of care and support

• You don’t have to provide care every day

Who can be a carer?

You may hear people being referred to as an unpaid carer or a family carer. This means caring is not their occupation but something they do as a spouse, partner, parent, sibling, grandchild or even as a friend, or neighbour. You don't have to be related to someone to be called a carer. We support all kinds of caring families.

You support someone in a range of ways:

Unlike parenting where a child will become independent, unpaid carers look after someone who needs assistance to keep living at home. 

Attending appointments, transport, cooking, organising medication, shopping and personal care are all activities a carer may undertake. In some cases, this is a full-time job. With help, some carers also work, study and care for other people too.

You live in Melbourne’s south or south-east:

We support carers living in the ten local government areas of:

If you are not residing in these areas, Carer Gateway can still connect you with your local outlet for support and services.

You need emotional or practical help:

Here are some examples of caring situations where we can help assist:

• When someone has memory loss and needs help at home. You may be worried about leaving them. You may have questions about the future for them

• Your child has a disability and you need some extra support, particularly with home help or activities

• A person is diagnosed with a mental illness that is likely to continue and things feel out of control

• You may be caring for a parent who has a mental health or chronic illness, or a condition such as a brain injury, and you need some assistance to take a break or study

• As a young person, you may help care for a brother or sister who has a disability and this makes being at school challenging

• You care for a person with a terminal illness and need some short term support for palliative care

• If you’re not coping so well in your caring role and need some extra support

Are you caring for someone who is frail due to old age?

Click here to learn more about our Commonwealth Home Support Program.