A guide for families

Respite care: getting a break when you care for a parent

By the Supportd team · Checked against official sources on 26 October 2026

The short answer

Respite care is someone else looking after your parent for a few hours, a few days or a few weeks so you can have a break, and it can happen at home, at a day centre or cottage, or in an aged care home. In an emergency, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 at any time; for planned respite your parent usually needs an aged care assessment, and Carer Gateway can also arrange free planned respite for you through a tailored support package.

What respite is

Respite gives you a break from caring and gives your parent a break from their usual routine, and a chance to meet new people. It is often planned ahead, for example around a trip or an appointment, but it is also available in emergencies.

The kinds of respite

In home respite, also called flexible respite: a paid carer comes to your parent’s home during the day or overnight so you can take a break. It is provided under the Commonwealth Home Support Program and Support at Home.
Community and centre based respite: daytime activities at a day centre, club or community space, often from 10am to 3pm and sometimes with transport. Also provided under the Commonwealth Home Support Program and Support at Home.
Cottage respite: overnight or over a weekend in a centre or other community location, usually for 2 to 3 days at a time. Provided under the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
Residential respite: a short stay in an aged care home, best suited to people who need help with most tasks. It can last a few weeks at a time.

In rural and remote areas, the Multi Purpose Service Program also offers respite, and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program offers respite on a planned or emergency basis.

Residential respite in an aged care home

Your parent needs an aged care assessment to be approved for residential respite, although in an emergency an aged care home may be able to take them and arrange an urgent assessment. During the stay they get the same care and services as permanent residents, including a room, meals, laundry, activities and help with personal care.

Up to 63 days of subsidised residential respite are available each financial year, counting planned and emergency stays together.
This can be extended by 21 days at a time with approval from the assessor. Keep a tally of the days used.
Approval does not guarantee a place. Not every aged care home offers respite or has room, so contact homes early to confirm dates.
A respite service agreement sets out the care, fees, dates and the complaints process.

What respite costs

Your parent does not need an income and assets assessment for respite. What they pay depends on the type of respite.

Residential respite: a basic daily fee set at 85% of the single basic Age Pension, which was a maximum of $68.93 a day at the time we checked, and possibly a booking fee. The booking fee cannot be more than one week’s fees or 25% of the fee for the whole stay, whichever is lower, and must be refunded if you cancel more than 7 days before the stay. The home cannot charge means tested contributions or accommodation costs.
Community respite through the Commonwealth Home Support Program: a contribution set by the provider’s client contribution policy, agreed before services start.
Respite through Support at Home: respite is an independence service, so your parent pays the contribution rate for independence services set by their income and assets assessment.

If your parent cannot afford residential respite fees, they can ask for financial hardship assistance.

Carer Gateway: support for you

Carer Gateway is a free Australian Government program for people caring for a family member or friend, including someone who is frail due to age. Call 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, and choose option 1 to reach your local Carer Gateway service provider. They talk through your caring role and make a plan with you, which can take 30 to 90 minutes unless it is an emergency.

Tailored support packages, which may include free planned respite, cleaning and cooking, shopping help and transport.
Emergency respite if you become sick or injured and cannot care. Call 1800 422 737 at any time, and they will book it where a suitable service is available locally.
Counselling, peer support groups, coaching and online skills courses.

Using Carer Gateway does not affect services through My Aged Care or the NDIS. It is also worth making an emergency care plan so someone can step in quickly.

Payments for carers

Services Australia has payments for carers. Carer Payment is for people who give constant care to someone with disability or a medical condition, or an adult who is frail aged. Carer Allowance is a supplementary fortnightly payment for people who give daily care. Check eligibility with Services Australia.

Next steps

Read the full picture in Support at Home explained.
Browse home care providers by suburb, Support at Home funded or private.
Ask us to find home care for your parent. A real person looks for providers near them, free for families.
Look up unfamiliar words in the aged care glossary.

Supportd is a directory of providers. We are not a care provider, we are not part of My Aged Care, and we cannot assess eligibility or speed up funding.

Tell us what your parent needs

Leave your details and a real person on our team will look for help at home near you and come back to you within a few hours.

Common questions

How do I get emergency respite for my parent?

Call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 at any time. Your local Carer Gateway service provider will talk through the options and book emergency respite where a suitable service is available.

Does my parent need an assessment for respite?

For residential respite in an aged care home, yes, although in an emergency the home may be able to arrange an urgent assessment. Respite through the Commonwealth Home Support Program or Support at Home also follows an aged care assessment.

How many days of residential respite can my parent have?

Up to 63 days of subsidised residential respite each financial year, counting planned and emergency stays. It can be extended by 21 days at a time with the assessor’s approval.

How much does residential respite cost?

A basic daily fee set at 85% of the single basic Age Pension, which was a maximum of $68.93 a day when we checked, plus possibly a booking fee. There are no means tested contributions or accommodation costs for respite.

Is Carer Gateway free?

Yes. Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program that provides free services and support for carers.

All aged care guides →

Sources

General information only, last checked on 26 October 2026. Rules, wait times and amounts change, so check the official sources for the latest. For advice about your own situation, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.