What is respite care? Meaning, types, and how it works in Australia
What is respite care and how does it work in Australia? Learn the types, how it's funded under Support at Home, and how to arrange a break.
Respite care is short-term care that gives a carer a break while the person they care for stays safe and supported. In Australia, it's delivered at home, at a day centre, in a residential aged care home, or in a respite cottage. You can access respite care through My Aged Care, while Carer Gateway handles urgent situations. Funding comes through the CHSP or Support at Home, or as up to 63 days of subsidised residential respite per financial year. If an assessor approves, 21-day extensions are possible. People who self-manage can choose their own respite worker.
Respite care is temporary care, primarily aimed at carers who need a break. While you rest, work, travel, or look after your own health, the person you care for is supported by trained staff. This form of short-term care can last a few hours to a few weeks.
In Australia, respite can happen at home, at a day centre, in a cottage respite house, or in an aged care home. For older people with entry-level needs, it can be funded through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). Those with more complex needs can access respite through Support at Home.
What does respite care mean in aged care?
In aged care, respite is short-term care for an older person while their usual carer takes a break. Depending on their needs, this break can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks.
Respite care gives carers time to rest, attend to their own health, or simply recharge, knowing their loved one is safe and supported. It can be good for the older person too, offering social activities and a change of routine. Regular breaks are a normal part of caring for someone long term, and they help carers keep going.
What is a respite caregiver?
A respite caregiver, also called a respite worker, is a trained support worker. They step in to care for someone while their regular carer takes a break. Depending on the person's needs, they might help with personal care, meals, medication reminders, or simply keep them company.
Respite caregivers work in the person's home, at a day centre, or in a residential setting. They are not a permanent replacement for the regular carer. Instead, their role is guided by the person's care plan and the length of the break.
What are the main types of respite care?
Respite care can be provided in 4 main forms: at home, at a day centre, in a residential facility, or in a respite cottage. The table below shows where each one happens and how long it runs.
In-home respite care
In-home respite care is delivered at the home of the person who needs support. A respite caregiver visits and provides personal care, meals, companionship, and help with daily tasks. The person stays in familiar surroundings, and the carer can leave knowing they're looked after.
In-home respite suits people who prefer their own home, including those living with dementia. It's also flexible. You can book a few hours a week, a full day, or overnight support, and the older person's routine stays largely the same.
Example: A husband caring for his wife with early-stage dementia books a respite worker for 4 hours each Tuesday. He now has time to attend his own medical appointments without leaving her alone.
Day centre respite
Day centre respite is when the older person attends a community or aged care centre during the day. Activities typically include group outings, gentle exercise, social programs, and meals. The carer can get several hours to themselves while their loved one enjoys a safe, engaging environment.
Day centre respite suits people who enjoy company or would benefit from more social contact. Many centres also offer transport to and from home.
Example: An adult daughter drops her father off at a local day centre twice a week. She can work her shifts while he joins group activities with other older adults.
Residential respite
Residential respite is a short stay in an aged care home, with 24-hour personal and nursing care. Carers often use it for a longer break, such as a holiday, or if they need to go into hospital themselves.
It suits people with higher care needs, and some families use it as a trial before deciding on permanent care. Residential respite requires approval through an aged care assessment. It's funded separately from Support at Home, generally for up to 63 days per financial year.
Example: A carer planning a two-week holiday arranges for her elderly mother to stay at a local aged care home. Her mother receives round-the-clock nursing and personal care until her daughter returns.
Cottage respite
Cottage respite is a short overnight stay in a small, home-like house rather than an aged care home. Guests stay with a small group. It suits people who want a break away from home in a warmer, less clinical setting.
Example: A carer recovering from minor surgery arranges a three-night stay for her father at a nearby respite cottage. While there, he shares meals and activities with a few other guests.
What does respite care include?
Respite care covers the support that keeps someone safe and comfortable while their carer is away. What's included depends on the type of respite and the person's care plan, so check with your provider. Common services are:
- Personal care: Showering, dressing, grooming, and toileting.
- Meals: Preparing meals and helping with eating if needed.
- Medication support: Reminders or help taking medication, with nurses administering it where required.
- Companionship: Conversation, hobbies, and shared activities.
- Mobility and transfers: Help moving around, getting in and out of bed, and using mobility aids.
- Outings and activities: Social outings, errands, and group activities, often in day centres or in-home respite.
- 24-hour care: Residential respite includes round-the-clock supervision and nursing care.
Who is respite care for?
Respite care is for both the person receiving care and the person providing it.
Respite for those who receive care
Respite care supports those who need ongoing help, including people who are:
- Older or frail: Older Australians at home can access respite through the CHSP or Support at Home.
- Living with a disability: NDIS participants can use short-term accommodation when their carer needs a break.
- Living with dementia or a chronic condition: Respite is available at home, in a day centre, or in residential care.
- Living with a mental illness: Respite may be arranged through Carer Gateway.
- Veterans or eligible DVA clients: Respite is available through DVA's Veterans' Home Care program.
Respite for those who provide care
Respite is designed for unpaid carers, including:
- Spouse or partner: Often caring for an older husband, wife, or partner.
- Adult child: Often supporting a parent while working or raising a family.
- Parent: Caring for a child with disability or complex needs, sometimes into adulthood.
- Relative, friend, or neighbour: Anyone giving regular unpaid care.
You don't need to be at a breaking point to use respite. Carers can use it for work, medical appointments, travel, family events, or rest. They can also arrange it urgently, for sudden sickness, injury, or unavailability.
How does respite care work in Australia?
Respite care in Australia is funded through several government programs or set up privately. Here are your options:
- Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
- Support at Home
- Residential respite
- Private respite care
Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provides subsidised, entry-level support. It's aimed at helping eligible older people remain living independently at home. It also provides planned respite for carers.
Access requires an aged care assessment and approval based on the person's eligibility and support needs.
From 1 July 2025, CHSP respite services were organised under two service types:
Sources: The CHSP Service List Mapping Guide and CHSP Manual
Support at Home
Support at Home can fund respite care from the person's quarterly budget. According to My Aged Care, it covers respite at home, also called flexible respite, and community and centre-based respite.
Support at Home participants can also get extra planned respite through the CHSP, alongside their own budget. The CHSP Manual says this includes flexible, centre-based and cottage respite, and it isn't time-limited.
People who self-manage their Support at Home can choose their own respite worker and schedule. Care Made Easy specialises in self-managed Support at Home. We also manage the budget, invoices, and compliance checks for our clients.
Residential respite through aged care
Eligible older Australians can get up to 63 days of subsidised residential respite per financial year. It depends on an assessment and on bed availability. If more time is needed, your assessor can extend it by 21 days at a time.
Private respite care
Respite care can be set up and funded privately too, without a government subsidy. Private respite gives carers freedom. They can arrange care outside assessed entitlements or add to government-funded services.
Private respite is a good option in a few situations. For example, if an assessment takes too long, the 63-day limit is used up, or the criteria aren't met. Families also get more choice over providers and dates.
How to access respite care in Australia
In Australia, government-funded respite care is accessed through My Aged Care. Carer Gateway is a separate national service focused on supporting unpaid carers.
The first step is to identify the right pathway, after which you should request an aged care assessment.
Identify the right pathway
Request an aged care assessment
For planned respite, register online through My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422. The older person can apply, or (with their permission) a carer or family member can apply on their behalf. A GP can make a referral with the person's consent.
After you apply for respite care, the process follows these steps:
- Complete an assessment through the Single Assessment System.
- Receive an assessment outcome that lists the types of support you are approved for.
- Choose a registered respite care provider to deliver services.
- Work with the provider to design a care plan that fits the carer's schedule and your recipient's needs.
What is emergency respite care?
Emergency respite is short-notice care arranged when a carer is suddenly unable to provide care. This can happen because of a sudden illness, hospitalisation, or a family emergency.
When is emergency respite needed?
Emergency respite may be needed when the regular carer:
- Becomes ill or injured, or is admitted to hospital
- Has a family emergency or bereavement
- Can no longer provide care safely, for example because of exhaustion or their own mental health
It's generally for situations where no family or friends can step in at short notice.
How to arrange emergency respite
To arrange emergency respite, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. The line takes emergency respite calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You'll speak to a local service provider, who will talk through your options and book emergency respite where it's available.
An older person who hasn't had an aged care assessment may still get emergency residential respite. In that case, the aged care home can arrange an urgent assessment, according to My Aged Care. For other questions, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 (weekdays 8 am to 8 pm, Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm).
If anyone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
Is respite care culturally accessible in Australia?
Respite care in Australia is open to people from many different backgrounds. The AIHW's 2024–25 aged care fact sheet found 25% of people using residential respite care were born in non-English-speaking countries. The same source reported that 11% have a preferred language other than English.
Aged care providers are expected to respect each person's culture. This also includes supporting their language needs when possible. Carers can ask about language support when choosing a service.
FAQ
How many days of respite care are carers entitled to in Australia?
Eligible older Australians can get up to 63 days of subsidised residential respite per financial year. This rule only applies if they've had an assessment and a place is available.
Home-based and day respite entitlements are set through individual government assessments. Funding comes from the CHSP or Support at Home, whichever fits the care recipient.
Can respite care be provided at home?
Yes, in-home respite sends a trained caregiver to the home for a set number of hours. The regular carer can leave, knowing their loved one is supported in a familiar place.
Can a family member provide respite care?
In some government-funded programs, a family member other than the primary carer can give paid support. Eligibility depends on the funding program and the provider's policies. Carers should check with their assessor what their funding allows.
How does respite care work for dementia?
Respite for dementia works like other respite care, but with extra focus on routine and familiarity. A support worker, ideally with dementia training, cares for the person while their carer takes a break.
Respite care for dementia can be organised at home, at a day centre, or in an aged care home. In-home respite is often the best fit, since familiar surroundings reduce confusion. Keeping the same worker, sharing daily routines, and starting with short visits can also help.
Where to start with respite care
Respite care gives unpaid carers a break, and it works best when it's planned in advance. For planned respite, start with an aged care assessment through My Aged Care. If a carer suddenly can't provide care, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 at any time.
People on Support at Home can use their quarterly budget for respite. Those who self-manage can choose their own respite worker and schedule.
Care Made Easy is a registered Support at Home provider that specialises in self-managed Support at Home. You choose your own workers and schedule, including for flexible respite. We manage your quarterly budget, invoices, and compliance checks over the phone, wherever you live in Australia.
Talk to Care Made Easy about using your Support at Home funding for respite. Take the first step to a well-earned break.
Further Reading
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