Carer Gateway Respite and the NDIS
Carer Gateway is a free Australian Government service for carers, and the NDIS funds supports for people with disability. If you care for an NDIS participant, you can use both: the participant's plan can pay for a support worker at home, and Carer Gateway can support you as the carer, including with emergency respite on 1800 422 737.
What Is Carer Gateway?
A government service that provides free services and support for carers, in person, online and over the phone, through a local service provider in each region.
When you call Carer Gateway you speak to your local service provider, who either supports you directly or organises support for you through another organisation, such as respite care. Carer Gateway can also tell you about local respite options and services in your area.
What's the Difference Between Carer Gateway and the NDIS?
Carer Gateway supports the carer. The NDIS funds supports for the participant with disability.
| You need | Ask |
|---|---|
| Regular in-home respite paid from the plan | An NDIS provider, using the participant's Core budget |
| Respite added to the plan, or more of it | Your my NDIS contact or support coordinator |
| Emergency respite because you can't care | Carer Gateway, 1800 422 737, any time |
| Support for yourself as a carer | Carer Gateway |
| Respite for an older person | My Aged Care, or Carer Gateway in an emergency |
Need a Break at Home?
We'll connect you with a registered NDIS provider who can send a support worker to your home.
Can You Use Both at the Same Time?
Yes. They do different things. The NDIA won't fund the same support twice, but help for the carer from Carer Gateway sits alongside supports in the participant's plan.
Some services may be free and others cost money. Carer Gateway can explain what's available locally and how it fits with what the NDIS already funds.
When Should You Call Carer Gateway First?
In an emergency, when you're not sure where to start, or when the person you care for isn't on the NDIS.
- You've suddenly become unwell or can't provide care
- You need support for yourself, not just for the person you care for
- The person you care for is older, or isn't eligible for the NDIS
Questions People Ask
Is Carer Gateway part of the NDIS?
No. Carer Gateway is a separate Australian Government service for carers. The NDIS funds supports for people with disability.
Does Carer Gateway provide in-home respite?
Carer Gateway says respite can take place at home, in the community, at a centre or in a residential facility, and its local providers can organise respite through other organisations.
What is the Carer Gateway number?
1800 422 737. You can call it at any time about emergency respite.
Keep Reading
- Respite for carersRespite for carers of someone with disability: what the NDIS can fund at home, what Carer Gateway offers carers directly, and how the two work together for you.
- Emergency respiteWhat to do if you suddenly can't care for someone with disability: who to call for emergency respite, how to change an NDIS plan, and how to plan ahead.
- NDIS respiteHow NDIS respite works: support workers at home paid from Core funding, short stays away from home, who qualifies, and where carers fit into the plan.
- What is respite care?Respite care is when someone else looks after the person you care for so you can have a break.
- Respite care at homeWhat in-home respite looks like: a support worker comes to your home, takes over the care for a few hours or overnight, and you get a real break.
- How it worksHow we connect you with a respite provider, and what happens to your details.
We share your details with one provider at a time, never a list. Privacy policy