Cessation of Commonwealth Carelink Program
The Commonwealth Carelink Program completely ceased yesterday (Monday, 30 June 2014). Accordingly, from today (1 July 2014), Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (CRCCs) will no longer be required to undertake any activities set out in the funding agreement, including the Carelink activities referred to in the Program Schedule.
The Centel network – which enables the transfer of calls between Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (CRCCs) – remains, and will be maintained as CRCCs will continue answering 1800 059 059 and 1800 052 222 numbers.
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (CRCC) will no longer be required to enter or maintain individual client data records in the Commonwealth Carelink Information System (CCCIS).
CRCCs will inform callers that the federal government Carelink Program is no longer available.
Calls from members of the public or service providers seeking information about aged and/or community care services, will be referred to My Aged Care via the My Aged Care website and/or a national telephone contact centre – 1800 200 422 open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm locally, and 10am to 2pm locally on Saturday.
If the request for information is outside the CRCCs scope, the caller will be referred to appropriate federal and/or state and territory government mental health services.
Callers seeking information relating to disability services will be referred to local state and territory government disability services.
Callers requesting carer specific information may also be directed to Carers Australia on 1800 242 636.
Whilst Carelink has ceased, the branding for CRCCs will not be changed. The current branding is recognised by consumers and service providers and is widely used on a range of websites printed material, including on the revised CRCC brochure.
