Most care at home is done by family, quietly and without a rota. It is generous work, and it is tiring. Respite is the planned break that keeps it sustainable. It is not an admission that the carer cannot cope. It is the thing that stops a crisis.
The short version
- Respite can be funded through an aged care program or paid privately.
- It can be a few hours a week or a longer block.
- We provide in-home respite, not residential or centre-based care.
- The person receiving care stays in their own home and routine.
Why respite matters
Carers often notice their own needs last. Sleep, medical appointments, work, friendships and simple quiet get pushed aside. Over months, that becomes exhaustion, resentment or illness. Respite is cheaper than a hospital admission or a crisis placement.
Types of respite
In-home respite brings support to the person's home. Centre-based respite offers a group program away from home. Residential respite is a short stay in an aged care home. We provide the first one.
If you need centre-based or residential respite, ask My Aged Care or Carer Gateway for options. We will not pretend to offer something we do not.
How to arrange it
If you have a Home Care Package or Support at Home budget, ask your provider whether respite is in the plan. If you are not funded, you can pay privately. Carer Gateway may also offer support and respite options for carers.
Then call us with the dates, the routine and what the person needs. A short trial visit is the best way to start.
What the visit covers
- Company and supervision, at the person's pace.
- Meals, drinks and the routine the person knows.
- Personal care, where it is part of the agreed support.
- Medication support only where it is in the plan and the worker is trained.
- A note at the end, so the carer knows what happened.
For the carer
You do not have to earn a break. Use it for sleep, a appointment, a walk or nothing at all. If the person resists, start with a short visit and frame it as company rather than care. Familiarity helps.
Plan the first break properly
Put the dates in the calendar. Tell the person who is coming and when. Leave the routine, medication list and emergency contacts in one place. Then let yourself be off duty.
Common questions
Can I get respite without an assessment?
Yes, if you pay privately. Government-funded respite usually requires an assessment through My Aged Care.
Does the person have to leave home?
Not for in-home respite. The support comes to them. Centre-based and residential respite are different.
How often can we use respite?
It depends on your funding and what you can afford. Some families use a few hours a week, others a longer block.
Can respite cover a holiday?
In-home respite can cover a period while the carer is away, subject to the plan and availability. Tell us the dates early.
What if the person refuses?
Start short, use a familiar carer and frame it as company. A two-hour visit is easier to accept than a full day.
Sources and further reading
This guide is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. If you are worried about your health, call your GP. In an emergency, call 000.