Carer Gateway

Here are a few simple steps to follow to learn more about Carer Gateway:

1. Visit www.carergateway.gov.au to learn more about the online and in-person services and supports that may be available to you.
2. Read these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for answers to the most common questions we receive from carers.
3. Call the national Carer Gateway phone line 1800 422 737 and press 1 to speak to your local Carer Gateway Service Provider (which is Carers WA for all Western Australian carers). You will be transferred through to Carers WA’s Carer Gateway team.
4. Speak with our Carer Gateway team about your requirements or to arrange a Needs Assessment with our Carer Support Planners.

Carer Gateway services are available to all carers who provide unpaid personal care and support to another individual due to disability, a long-term medical condition (including terminal or chronic illness), mental health challenge, alcohol or other drug issue or frail age.

Additionally, eligibility applies to carers who are:

• Overseas visitors, permanent residents and others who are not Australian citizens – there are no citizenship, residency or
  specific visa requirements.
• Receiving free board/lodging in return for providing care (but are otherwise not paid or employed to care for a person), providing they meet the other eligibility requirements.
• Recipients of other government supports.
• In a situation where their caring role has ended in the last 6 months (this is an approximate timeframe and dependent on the individual circumstances).

There is a dedicated Carer Gateway phone number (1800 422 737) available Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 5.00pm. If carers contact the Carer Gateway after operating hours, their phone call will be answered by an Australian based call centre. The after-hours service is Carer Gateway services within WA are provided by Carers WA, in partnership with Helping Minds available to facilitate requests for emergency and planned respite if required. Callers can also leave their name and details for followup. Carers WA will then contact the caller on the next business day.

Once you are registered, (registration will be taken the first time you contact Carer Gateway), your details will be kept on our secure information system that each Carer Support Planner will be using.

Carers who have completed a registration with Carers WA do not need to undergo a new registration with the Carer Support Planning team, however, carers will need to undertake the Carers StarTM assessment and planning process to access services and may also be asked for more information so staff can ensure their profile is up to date.

We will work with what is convenient for you and have multiple short conversations with you when you are available. We will collate the details from each call and have it securely stored in our information database so you do not need to repeat yourself each time.

Yes, Carer Gateway planning services take into account provision for planned respite through Carer Directed Packages. Respite for people with care needs can be organised through My Aged Care if the person is aged 65 or over (or aged 50 or over for Aboriginal people) or through NDIS if the person is eligible for an NDIS package.

We recommend only well-established and local care providers depending on the
circumstances.

Respite service provider information and other details will be provided based on
the outcome of the carer support planning process. Carer Support Planners will work with carers to find a provider that will suit their individual needs.

When the Carers StarTM planning process has been completed a carer directed package may be allocated if it is identified as a necessary support. A Carer Directed Package is not a guaranteed inclusion in a carer’s action plan and will only be provided if it is identified as a necessary support.

Eligible carers have access to Carer Gateway services regardless of other
available funding and supports. Our team of Carer Support Planners will work with you to understand your circumstances and situation, taking into account the supports and services you currently have in place and develop your individualised plan from there.

Your support planner will work with you to identify and allocate the supports you need according to your current situation.

If it is identified that a Carer Directed Package is a suitable support, the amount of funding provided will be determined through the carer support planning process and will differ person to person based on the results of the planning session.

Yes, once per year based on the carer’s Action Plan.

No, registering with Carer Gateway does not mean you will automatically receive financial help through Centrelink. A carer must register with Centrelink separately. Carer Gateway support planners do not have access to a carer’s Centrelink record and Carer Gateway services within WA are provided by  carers WA, in partnership with Helping Minds cannot provide advice about an individual’s payments. Information on financial assistance is available from the Carer Gateway website.