31/08/2026
Carer Gateway is a national service that exists only for carers. It's free, funded by the Australian Government, and you don't need an NDIS plan to use it. A lot of families we speak with have never heard of it, or assumed it was part of the NDIS.
If you provide unpaid care to a family member or friend, you can use it. Parents, adult children, partners, siblings, grandparents, and young people under 25 all count, whether or not you've ever called yourself a carer.
You can access counselling, coaching, peer groups, online courses, emergency respite, and in some cases practical support packages. None of it draws on the NDIS plan of the person you care for.
If English isn't your first language, call 1800-422-737 and ask for an interpreter. It's arranged for you at no cost.
Carer Payment and Carer Allowance are separate again and go through Services Australia on 132-717.
Full breakdown of all three systems is on our website: https://diversabilities.com.au/support-for-family-carers-carer-gateway/
We also run free Community Conversations Sessions where families and carers talk through topics like this one in person: https://diversabilities.com.au/expression-of-interest-community-conversations/
