Carer Gateway

Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers.

Carer Gateway services are free to access for anyone caring for a family member or friend who is living with a disability, a long term medical condition, mental illness, alcohol or drug dependency or someone who is frail due to age.

Carer Gateway services are delivered through a network of Not-for-Profit (NFP) organisations known as Carer Gateway Service Providers.

Carers NSW is the dedicated Carer Gateway Service Provider across Hunter New England, the Central Coast and North Coast of NSW.

No matter where you are located in NSW or Australia, you can contact Carer Gateway and be connected to the Carer Gateway Service Provider in your region.

Services for carers through Carer Gateway include:

• In-person and phone counselling: To help carers maintain health and wellbeing in their caring role, and to assist in times of stress and overwhelm. Sessions can be delivered either in person or online. Carer Gateway counsellors are experienced with carer specific issues.

• Peer support: Helping carers connect with people in similar situations. Delivered in a group setting with a Carer Gateway facilitator, either face to face or online.

• Tailored support packages: These enable carers to access equipment or services to support them in their caring role, or to transition back into work or study. There are two types of tailored support packages, based on the carer's needs:
  • 1. one-off practical support such as equipment or items to assist carers in their caring role and help them transition back into the workforce or study
  • 2. a range of ongoing practical supports such as planned respite, cleaning services, assistance with shopping, cooking or transport.

• Emergency respite: If you suddenly find you can’t provide care, for example if you become ill or injured. You will speak to your local service provider who will talk through your options and book emergency respite care, where available.

• Carer coaching: You can talk to a professional coach to reflect on your experience and needs, identify personal goals and create a plan to reach these goals. There are a range of topics to help you in your caring role. Available in person or online.

• Group counselling: Helps carers to recognise common issues, feel understood by each other and experience a greater sense of belonging and reduced isolation. Sessions are in person and facilitated by a Carer Gateway counsellor.

Carers can access Carer Gateway;

• By phone 1800 422 737 (Monday to Friday)
• Online www.carergateway.gov.au
• Or you can request a call back or email contact here

If you need emergency respite care, call Carer Gateway for help with accessing emergency respite at any time. You will speak to your local service provider who will talk through your options and book emergency respite care, where available.

Carers NSW is the Carer Gateway provider for the Central Coast, Hunter New England and North Coast regions of NSW, known as NSW 4. If you live or are referring a carer that lives within this region, you can register online through the button below.

If you live outside this region, you can access Carer Gateway through the contact details provided above, where you will be connected with your local Carer Gateway service provider.

The Carers NSW Carer Gateway Outreach team are on the road visiting local communities in the Central Coast, Hunter New England and North Coast regions of NSW, assisting carers, stakeholders and service providers in understanding the services and support available through Carer Gateway.

A full list of the upcoming events that will be attended by the Carer Gateway Outreach Team is available on our upcoming events page here. If you, or someone you know, lives near one of the locations, please feel free to attend these free events and learn more about Carer Gateway.

Carers NSW will continue to update the locations in which our Carer Gateway Outreach team are located each month, so be sure to check back in regularly to see what events are available near you.

If you have any suggestions on where our assistance is needed please feel free to reach out to our Outreach Team via contact@carersnsw.org.au