The Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative which was introduced in Australia in 2020. Carers SA is the lead Carer Gateway provider in South Australia and partners with MCCSA to deliver Carer Gateway services particularly for Carers in the Indian, Russian, and Arabic (Coptic Egyptian and Lebanese Maronite) communities. MCCSA’s aim is to support multicultural Carers and help to make a positive difference in their lives.
What is the Carer Gateway?
Funded by Department of Social Services (DSS), the Carer Gateway is a national and seamless range of supports and services dedicated to assisting Carers across Australia. If you care for a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, dementia, a long term health condition, and illness that is terminal, an alcohol or drug related problem or someone who is frail aged, you are a Carer and can connect with the Carer Gateway for support. The Carer Gateway provides support to Carers by offering a range of services including financial support through Tailored Support Packages which may include but not limited to: assistance at home and respite, coaching, counselling, emergency respite, and also forming connections for social support with other Carers through Peer Support Groups.
Carer Gateway services are free, not income tested. Carers can register to receive services through the Carer Gateway.
Who is this program for?
The Carer Gateway is for anyone who is an unpaid Carer.
You may be a Carer if you are looking after a relative or friend with:
- Disability
- Mental illness
- A medical condition (including a terminal or chronic illness)
- Someone who is frail because they are aged
- Dementia
- An illness that is terminal
- Drug and alcohol related problems
Carers can be any age and provide a range of supports and care for the person they are caring for– some Carers look after another person 24 hours a day and help with daily living, while others look after people who are fairly independent but sometimes need help.
What help can you get?
As a Carer, you may help the person you care for with many activities in and around the home or support such as transport and emotional support. Understanding what help is available to you as a Carer may make your life easier. Some of the services and supports that you may be eligible for through the Carer Gateway include:
Peer Support:
Peer groups are available as part of the Carer Gateway program where Carers can meet with people from similar caring situations, share their stories, knowledge and experience and form social connections and supportive relationships.
Coaching
Carer Gateway provides free coaching to Carers where they can reflect on how things are going for them and whether there are areas in their life where they might like to make some changes. Together, the Coach and the Carer can explore possible steps to support a Carer in the directions of their goals.
Counselling
Some Carers can feel overwhelmed with their caring role. Carer Gateway offers free counselling when you can speak one on one with a professional counsellor who is experienced in supporting carers. Carers can access six counselling sessions over depending on their needs.
Tailored Support Packages
The Carer Gateway offers Packages of support that are designed to meet individual Carer needs. Carers may be eligible for financial assistance that can be used to purchase a specific item related to their caring role, or free services such as help with cleaning, gardening, transport and more.
To access services and support via the Carer Gateway, please contact MCCSA to speak to one of our team members. Their details are mentioned below
Florine Fernandes (speaks English, Hindi, Marathi)
Tel: 08-82134607
Email: [email protected]
Victoria Tairli (speaks English, Russian)
Tel: 08-82134613
Email: [email protected]
Maggie Asaad (speaks English, Arabic)
Tel: 08-82134604
Email: [email protected]
Or contact the Carer Gateway direct on 1800 422 737