What is a carer's assessment, and how do you get one?

A carer's assessment is a structured conversation about you, the person providing unpaid care, rather than about the person you care for. Its purpose is to work out what support would help you keep caring without your own health, finances, work or relationships falling apart. In Australia this is done through Carer Gateway, the national service for carers, on 1800 422 737.

That focus is the thing most carers do not realise exists. Aged care and NDIS assessments look at the needs of the person receiving care. A carer's assessment looks at yours, as a person with your own life, limits and needs. You are entitled to support in your own right, not merely as an extension of someone else's care plan.

Who counts as a carer

Anyone who provides unpaid care or support to someone with disability, a medical condition, a mental illness, or who is frail because of age. That includes:

• A spouse or partner caring for the other
• An adult child caring for a parent
• A parent caring for a child with disability
• A grandparent, sibling, friend or neighbour providing regular support

You do not need to live with the person. You do not need to be caring full time. You do not need to receive any payment, and receiving Carer Payment or Carer Allowance is not a requirement. You do not even need to call yourself a carer; many people say "I'm just doing what family does", and they are still eligible.

What the assessment covers

It is a conversation, either by phone or in person, and there is no test to pass. Expect to be asked about:

• What you do in a typical day and week, and how many hours it takes
• The health and needs of the person you care for
• How caring is affecting your own physical and mental health
• Your work, study and finances
• Your sleep, your social life and your relationships
• What support you already have, formally and from family
• What would make the biggest difference to you
• Whether there is an emergency plan if you were suddenly unable to care

Two pieces of advice make it far more useful. Be honest rather than stoic. Many carers understate how hard it is, out of pride or guilt or because they have normalised an unsustainable situation. The assessment can only match support to what you actually describe. Think about it beforehand, and jot down where you are struggling most, because it is easy to say "we're managing fine" on the spot and hang up without the help you needed.

What support can follow

Based on the assessment, Carer Gateway can arrange a range of support. Availability varies with your circumstances and assessed need, so treat this as what exists rather than a guarantee of what you will receive.

Respite care, so you get a break, whether that is a few hours, a day, or a longer period. This is the support carers most often need and most often delay asking for. See our guide to respite care for how it works.

Counselling, in person or by phone, with someone who understands the specific pressures of caring.

Peer support, connecting with other carers who are in the same situation, in groups or online.

Coaching, structured sessions on managing stress and setting boundaries.

Practical help, which can include assistance with transport, meal preparation or domestic tasks.

Tailored support packages, which may cover a specific one-off need such as equipment or help returning to work.

Emergency respite, if you are suddenly unable to provide care because of your own illness or an emergency.

How to arrange one

Call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday. You can also start online through the Carer Gateway website. You will usually have an initial conversation about your situation, and be referred to your local Carer Gateway provider for the fuller assessment and to arrange services.

It is free. You do not need a referral from a doctor, and you do not need the permission or involvement of the person you care for.

A note on payments

A carer's assessment is separate from Centrelink payments, and the two are often confused.

Carer Payment and Carer Allowance are income support administered by Services Australia, with their own eligibility rules and application process. A Carer Gateway assessment does not apply for them, and does not affect them. You can have one, both, or neither. Our guide to Carer Payment vs Carer Allowance explains the difference and how to apply for those.

Why it is worth doing

Carers consistently report worse physical and mental health than the general population, and the risk rises the longer someone cares without a break. There is also a practical argument that has nothing to do with self-care: if you become unwell or burn out, the person you care for loses their main support, often suddenly and often resulting in a crisis admission. Looking after yourself is part of looking after them.

If you are not sure where to start, our guide to support for carers in Australia gives the wider picture, and you can browse support services near you on Our Mate.

Frequently asked questions

What is a carer's assessment?

It is a conversation about your own needs as an unpaid carer, rather than about the person you care for. It looks at how caring affects your health, work, finances and relationships, and identifies what support would help you continue. In Australia it is arranged through Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.

Who is eligible for carer support in Australia?

Anyone providing unpaid care to someone with disability, a medical condition, a mental illness, or frailty due to age. You do not need to live with the person, care full time, receive any payment, or have a formal diagnosis in hand.

Does a carer's assessment cost anything?

No. Carer Gateway is a free national service, and you do not need a referral from a doctor to access it.

What is the difference between a carer's assessment and Carer Payment?

A carer's assessment identifies practical support such as respite, counselling and peer support, and is arranged through Carer Gateway. Carer Payment and Carer Allowance are Centrelink income support payments with separate eligibility rules, applied for through Services Australia. Having one does not affect the other.

Can I get help urgently if I cannot continue caring right now?

Yes. Carer Gateway can arrange emergency respite if you are suddenly unable to provide care because of your own illness, an accident or another emergency. Call 1800 422 737 and explain that the situation is urgent.