Caring for you while you care for others.

Looking after yourself is key to providing care for others, yet is easily forgotten about when daily demands are high. Support for Carers offers flexible support to help unpaid carers to take time for themselves.

Carer services

Support for Carers.

If you’re providing regular care and support to a family member, partner or friend, then you are a carer and there is support available to help you.

The Support for Carers Program is a short term program that provides support for carers of all ages. You may care for a loved one who has a disability, mental health challenge, chronic illness or medical condition, terminal illness or ageing related support needs.

Looking after yourself as a carer

The Carer Support Program provides a range of services to support carers to manage their caring role and improve their wellbeing. Carers play an essential role in maintaining the wellbeing of the people in their care. But carers also need support to carry out the many things they do every day.

Support for Carers offers practical support and advice for carers in-person, online and over-the-phone. Based on your assessed needs you can access a range of support options including:

Rest and connect
  • Flexible, short term respite (eg. for a few hours each week) or for a longer time, including overnight (eg. a weekend) 
  • Short term respite can be in home or residential
  • Group activities and workshops to connect to others also in a caring role.
Care and advice
  • Individual, group or family counselling
  • Peer support groups
  • Information and advice
  • Links to other supports which may provide you with the skills and techniques to help manage life’s challenges, such as financial counselling. 
Practical support

One-off or short-term support including:

  • Funding for specialised equipment
  • Assistance with domestic tasks in the home
  • Accessing transport 
  • Help to identify and fill service gaps.

To see whether this program is suitable for you, contact your local area.

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FAQs

Support for Carers is a state program, only available for those in Victoria.

Uniting isn’t funded for Support for Carers all around Victoria, check the map to see if Uniting is the funded agency for you. Or click the link to find a full list of Support for Carers providers across Victoria. 

Carer Gateway is a national program, available across Australia. Contact them on 1800 422 737 to learn more. 

Yes – depending on identified need and funding available prioritisation.

Yes, you may be eligible for both programs. 

If Support for Carers isn’t available in your area, Carer Gateway could be available.  Contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 to apply. 

Get in touch

Let us become part of your circle of support.

For Melbourne Metro & Ovens Murray call 1300 583 145.
For Gippsland call 03 9051 7000.
For Western Victoria (including Ballarat, Wimmera & Horsham) call 03 5362 4000.
Or fill out an online enquiry form below.