In March, the Carer Gateway team at Uniting organised a heartwarming writing competition for the dedicated unpaid carers within their program.
A gateway to support.
There are more than 2.65 million unpaid carers in Australia, and 1 in 12 are under 25 years old. If you are an unpaid carer, we're here to support you.
What is Carer Gateway?
Support for unpaid carers.
Your care situation is as unique as you are.
Carer Gateway is a national initiative program funded by the Australian Government that offers a free and diverse range of short-term services to help you manage your caring role and improve your wellbeing.
Uniting is one of the seven providers that delivers the Carer Gateway Program across Victoria. Uniting’s delivery of this program is in partnership with the lead provider – Merri Health.
Living in Victoria?
Uniting supports carers in:
- The Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne
- Gippsland
- Goulburn North East
- Albury (NSW).
Who can access Carer Gateway?
You can access Carer Gateway if you provide unpaid care to people with:
- Disability
- Chronic medical condition
- Mental health diagnoses
-
Ageing related conditions such as dementia or mobility issues.
All caring situations are different. Some carers look after another person 24 hours a day, while other carers help with specific tasks, such as housework, transport or shopping.
Carers can be of any age.
What short-term services are covered?
You can access:
- Carer support planning - A tailored assessment of your needs as a carer. This planning is completed before any services are put in place
- Carer Coaching – You can talk to a trained coach to reflect on how you're coping, your needs, identify any goals you have and create a plan on how you can take steps towards achieving them. This service is offered face-to-face or over the phone
- Peer/Carer Support Groups - You might like to meet and connect with others in similar caring situations and share stories, knowledge and experience. These groups can be available in-person or online
- Carer counselling - Counselling with a professional counsellor if you feel stressed or overwhelmed within your caring role. This is offered face-to-face or via telehealth
- Young Carer Support – Tailored support for young carers
- Tailored support packages* - This can be one-off practical support for items and services for up to 12 months
- Respite* - This allows you to take a break. This can be in home, residential or emergency respite, whereby if you suddenly find you can’t provide care, for example if you become ill or injured. Service providers will find ways to look after the person you care for while you recover
- Online skills courses - Develop your skills as a carer and improve your wellbeing through free, online workshops.
To make life easier, services are provided in ways that suit your situation. You can choose from in-person, online or over-the-phone support.
*We cannot guarantee funding approval for the Tailored Support Packages or Respite service. Funding and availability are allocated depending on the individual assessment. There may be wait times to access certain types of supports, please call to find out more.
Learn more about Carer Coaching
Learn more about Peer Support
Since 2020, Carer Gateway has:
8,000 +
Carers registered with the program.
95%
of carers scored their wellbeing as improving or remaining steady after our support was provided.
3,300 +
tailored support packages provided.
310,000 +
hours of free planned respite for carers.
5,200 +
sessions of Carer Counselling provided.
3 simple steps to accessing carer support
View services
To access Carer Gateway services, visit the central Carer Gateway website or call the team on 1800 422 737 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm).
Register
Express your interest online or via phone. You can also request for a call-back online.
If you’re referring on behalf of the carer, please fill out the e-referral.
Access support
A member of the Gateway team will be in touch to discuss your needs and help you access support.
If you need an interpreter, please call 131 450.
Frequently asked questions
If you have any other questions, please get in touch with us – no question is a silly question.
What if I receive other payments?
Using Carer Gateway services will not affect services delivered through My Aged Care, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Centrelink, Carers Payment or Youth Allowance.
What is 'respite'?
'Respite’ or ‘respite care’ is when someone else takes care of the person you care for, so that you can have a break or so that you can do an activity/something you enjoy away from your caring role. When you are a carer, it’s important to regularly take time for yourself to rest and recharge.
Hear the real story
Carer Gateway Writing Competition.
Hear the real story
Young Carer art competition.
To celebrate Carers Week this year, the Young Carer Team within Carer Gateway hosted a fun and heart-warming engagement activity for the young carers (aged 5-25) in their program.
"What inspires me? Nature! I’ve made a wreath out of vines and decorated it with colourful flowers. The beauty of nature makes me feel so happy, free and inspired."
Hear the real story
Millions of reasons to care: Carers Week 2023.
This week, 15th – 21st October, marks the beginning of Carers Week. An annual campaign to raise awareness of, offer support to and bring to light the challenges faced by the 2.65 million Australians who provide care to family members or friends.
“My message to other young carers out there is despite the daily challenges and obstacles of life, never give up and trust the ones you love."
Hear the real story
Jun’s new life in Australia.
Prior to migrating to Australia, Jun worked for 20 years in the massage industry. Sadly, his qualifications were not recognised here, so he made the decision to begin the journey of re-training. With the support of the Uniting CESP Program, Jun commenced study in an Advanced Diploma with the Melbourne …
Hear the real story
Carers: unpaid, unsung and often unseen.
Josephine* and Steve* will be the first to tell you that life as a full-time carer is hard work. When they made the decision to grow their family back in 2000, neither could anticipate how drastically their lives as they knew it would change.
Get in touch
Let us become part of your support circle.
Get in touch with the team to find out if Carer Gateway can support you. Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm or request a call back.
Call us on
1800 422 737