We provide services under the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) and other Australian Government support programs for carers

The National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) is one of several Australian Government initiatives designed to support and assist relatives and friends caring at home for people who are unable to care for themselves because of chronic illness, disability or frailty.

The Australian Government provides funding to the Suncare Community Services Commonwealth Care Respite Centre network and Direct Respite Services for the National Respite for Carers Program to assist carers with information, respite care and support.

Through the National Respite for Carers program we provide:

• information and support for carers; and
• assistance to help carers take a break from their caring role (this is called respite care).

As a Community-based respite service we are funded to provide respite opportunities in a variety of settings, such as:

• day care centres which provide respite for a half or full day;
• in-home respite services, including overnight care and personal care services;
• activity programs specific to mental health, disability and frail age;
• respite for carers of people with dementia and challenging behaviour; and
• flexible respite in community settings including Cottage respite.

Suncare Community Services has nine (9) Commonwealth Carer Respite and Carelink offices, in addition to 24 hour on call Direct Respite Services staffs strategically located across both the Brisbane North and Central Queensland regions to assist and support carers. Funding is also provided for Centres to provide carers with information about a range of respite options and assistance to obtain respite.

Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres

Carers are referred to Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre in each capital city. These Centres give carers support and information on how they can better manage the care needs of the person they are caring for, as well as information about other government programs that can help them.

Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres can be contacted from anywhere in Australia by calling 1800 242 636*.

National Carer Counseling Program

Carers are able to obtain counselling through Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres. Counselling is provided by qualified counsellors on issues that are specific to the carer’s needs such as depression, stress related issues, grief and loss and coping skills.

Contact your Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres – 1800 242 636* or for more information contact your Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre network by calling1800 059 059*

* Freecall™—calls from mobile phones are charged at applicable rates

Commonwealth Carer Respite and Carelink Centres

Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres are located throughout Australia.
The centres specialise in assisting carers with information, respite care and support.
Centres can be contacted anywhere in Australia by calling 1800 059 059*.

Co-located Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centres can be contacted anywhere in Australia by calling 1800 059 059*.

Commonwealth Carelink Centres help people find information on services in their local area and can be contacted anywhere in Australia by calling 1800 052 222*.

Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA)

FaCSIA provides funding for Suncare Community Services Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres to support and improve the lives of many Australians living with a mental illness and their carers.

The New Funding for Respite Services is an Australian Government initiative incorporating two programs:

• National Respite Development Fund, a component of the Mental Health  Respite Program supporting people with a mental illness and their Carer and
• the Respite for Older Carers of Children with Disability Program

The focus of the New Funding for Respite Services is new and innovative options to increase the availability and supply of flexible and appropriate respite services. The funding is focused on building the capacity of service providers to deliver respite services to the target groups of the two Australian Government initiatives.

Many carers are now ageing themselves and need help to continue to provide care for their son or daughter. Increased support such as respite has positive outcomes for both the carer and the person with disability and helps older parent carers continue to care for their child at home.

The amount of respite that a carer is able to access will be based on carer need. Carers will be assessed using a standard assessment tool to ensure that those in most need of respite receive it at the time they need it. However, the principle underpinning allocation of respite is that it is "short-term", providing the opportunity for carers to "take time-out" from the direct carer role. Contact your nearest Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre for further information on 1800 059 059.

Home and Community Care

The aims of the HACC Program are:

• to provide a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated range of basic maintenance and support services for frail aged people, people with a disability and their carers; and
• to support these people to be more independent at home and in the community, thereby enhancing their quality of life and/or preventing their inappropriate admission to long term residential care.

The type of services funded through the HACC Program include, but are not limited to:

• nursing care;
• allied health care;
• meals and other food services;
• domestic assistance;
• personal care;
• home modification and maintenance;
• transport;
• respite care;
• counselling, support, information and advocacy; and
• assessment.

Some services charge a small fee that varies from State to State, depending on your ability to pay and the number of services you use.

Contact your Commonwealth Carelink Centre for help to find information on HACC and other relevant services in your local area by calling 1800 052 222*.