What is Carer Gateway?

What is Carer Gateway?

Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program that offers a range of free supports and services for carers. Carers can be anyone who provides care and support to a family member or friend living with disability, a medical condition, mental illness, or who is frail due to age.

Services are tailored to the needs of your caring role, which may include counselling, coaching, practical help, tailored support packages, in-person peer support, and emergency or planned respite through Carer Gateway. Services are delivered in-person, online and over the phone.

Contact carer services now

In Victoria, Holstep Health leads the Carer Gateway program. We deliver comprehensive care and assistance across the state through our partnerships with six other healthcare organisations. Collectively, we have more than 100 years of experience supporting carers in Victoria.

Carer Gateway services include:

Finding support

• Tailored Support Packages– support tailored to your needs. It could be help with cooking and cleaning, purchasing educational supplies, assistance with shopping, transport and more.
• In-person and Phone Counselling – speak with a counsellor to discuss your situations and work through your emotions.
• Financial Support – you may be eligible for financial support to help you in your caring role.

Connect and develop

• Online Carer Skills Courses – Get practical tips and insights to build skills that support your caring role — from managing stress and improving communication to legal guidance, better sleep, and staying socially connected.
• In-person and Online Coaching – explore how your caring role impacts different parts of your life, with self-guided or one-on-one support to help you gain clarity, confidence and balance.
• In-person and Online Peer Support Groups – connect with other carers, share your experiences, and learn from each other in a safe, supportive space where you’re truly understood.

Being prepared

• Access to Planned + Emergency Respite – take time to rest and recharge, or get urgent support if you’re suddenly unable to provide care due to illness, injury or other unexpected situations.

You don’t need to know exactly what to ask for when you contact Carer Gateway. You can just talk through any problems you are having, and staff will try to match you with services that can help.

Meet our consortia partners

Supporting carers together.

In Victoria, Carer Gateway is led by Holstep Health, which heads a consortium of six experienced health and community care organisations to deliver local services that meet the needs of carers across the state.

	Alfred Health provide a large range of healthcare services in Victoria through three hospital campuses, a large network of community programs and 14 state-wide services.
	Grampians Health is committed to providing excellence in care for patients, staff and communities. Their vision is to deliver world-class health care, an engaged workforce, effective leadership, and a strong connection to the community and region.
	Barwon Health provide care at all stages of life and circumstance. Health services available through Barwon Health cover the full spectrum from primary care, community services, aged care, rehabilitation, mental health, emergency and acute care.
	Bendigo Health is a leading regional health service with a catchment area covering a quarter of the size of Victoria. They have many services extending to regional areas such as Mildura, Echuca, Swan Hill, Kyneton and Castlemaine.
	FamilyCare, as well as being the main family service provider across the Goulbourn Valley, offers support to families of children with disabilities and carer support services, particularly to those caring for people who are frail or aged.
	Uniting work alongside people of all ages in local communities across Victoria and Tasmania. This is built through giving people the support they need to live happy and meaningful lives, and a commitment to being people focused and rights-based.