New Gateway supporting carers
A new Government funded service is helping carers access practical information and support in their local area.
The Carer Gateway includes a national phone line and a website with an online service finder to help carers locate their nearest support services.
Assistant Minister for Social Services, Alan Tudge MP, launched Carer Gateway last month as the first step of the Government’s Integrated Plan for Carer Support Services.
Mr Tudge says the new service will make a real difference to the way carers access support, and it would also help to reach out to carers who might not currently identify as carers or know that support is available to them.
“Many carers do not have the time to go searching across multiple sites for reliable information on how to access local respite services or social support,” according to Mr Tudge.
“Now carers will have an easy to access gateway to help connect them with the existing local services they need.
“Carer Gateway is the first step toward an integrated carer support service,” Mr Tudge says.
Finding services and assistance is often a complex and fragmented process for carers.
The Carer Gateway provides carers with a central information source, making it easier to find the right services and support to assist them in their caring role.
“The service and support landscape for carers can be very difficult to navigate,” says chief executive officer of Carers Australia Ara Cresswell.
“The Gateway will provide an initial point of contact for carers and put them in touch with invaluable services currently provided by a range of carer specialist organisations across Australia,” she says.
Carer Gateway can be contacted on 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm or visit carergateway.gov.au
