Carers of people with an intellectual disability are people who provide unpaid care and support.

The support may include help include:

  • Personal care such as dressing, lifting, showering, toileting, feeding
  • Emotional support
  • Overseeing banking and financial support
  • Assisting with maintaining health and wellbeing, including accessing health care
  • Social connections

More than half of primary carers provide care for at least 20 hours per week. Many of these people don’t see themselves as carers, rather just parents, siblings or partners. If you are a carer, you can get help and support from the government and other organisations.

Sad woman being comforted by a carer

The Carer Gateway aims to make carers' lives easier.

By calling Carer Gateway, carers will be connected with an Australia-wide network of Carer Gateway service providers. They will talk through what support is needed and find local services and support to help. Support may include:

  • help and advice
  • phone counselling
  • respite (taking a break)
  • connecting to other carers
  • self-guided coaching
  • skills courses.

To access supports like these visit the Carer Gateway or call on 1800 422 737.

If you are more comfortable having a conversation in a language other than English call the Translation and Interpreter Services
131 450.