Carers & support workers
Caring for someone with a disability can be a very rewarding experience. However, it can also be very difficult and trying.
The following resources may provide useful support and information for carers of people with disabilities.
Information on this page:
- General Information.
- Services and support organisations.
- Payment and benefits.
- Support for families.
General information
The Australian Bureau of Statistics' 2003 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers estimated that in 2003 there were approximately 2.6 million people in Australia providing non-paid care to people with disabilities.
There are a number of articles about carers and caring in the Health information section of Disability Online. There are five about caring for someone with a disability.
The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing website has a range of information on caring for someone. It includes information about the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP), a program that provides respite (help for carers to take a break from caring) and information and advice. Australian Department of Health and Ageing also produces a Carer Information Pack, providing practical information for carers.
The Disability Services Division of the Department of Human Services funds a range of organisations to publish specialist disability information. You can search the Information Services web sites using the Disability Online search.
Services and support organisations
Carers Victoria is a statewide information and support service for carers. The Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre can assist you with information, referrals, support and resources on a range of topics, including services in your area, financial entitlements, carer support groups, home help, where to find out about medicines, support services, legal issues for carers, health and wellbeing, respite and disease or condition-specific organisations.
More information about the support organisations available in your local area is available from the Disability Online Service directory.
Payments and benefits
If you are caring for an older person or a person with a disability, you may be eligible for financial assistance such as the Carer Allowance and Carer Payment, which are available through Centrelink.
For more information about the financial assistance that may be available visit the Payments and benefits area of this site.
Support for families
The Australian Government website www.families.gov.au provides a single point of access to Government and non-Government information and services for families.
The Family Assistance Office has been set up by the Australian Government to give Australian families access to payments from just one place.
