Caring for someone you love is rewarding, but it is also tiring, and every carer needs a break. Respite care gives you that break while someone else looks after the person you care for.
This guide explains how respite works in Australia, what your options are, and how our in-home respite care can help you take time for yourself, knowing your loved one is with someone they know.
What is respite care?
Respite care is when someone else takes over the caring for a while so that you can rest. That someone might be family or friends, or a respite service. Respite can happen at home, in the community, at a day centre or in an aged care home.
Breaks tend to work best when they are planned ahead and happen regularly, rather than waiting until you are running on empty. It is also worth booking early, because places can fill up.
Why familiar faces matter in respite
Handing over care, even for a few hours, can be hard. Many carers worry about whether the person they care for will feel comfortable with someone new, and that worry can make it difficult to switch off.
That is why Harwell sees respite as part of an ongoing relationship, not a one-off shift. Care is a relationship, not a roster.
- We get to know your loved one first. Before respite begins, we take the time to understand their needs, routines, preferences and personality.
- We keep the same faces where we can. We match the same familiar carer wherever we can, because familiarity matters, both for the person receiving care and for you as you step away.
- Care carries on at home. Your loved one stays in familiar surroundings, with their usual routines, while you take your break.
What types of respite are there?
There are four main types of respite in Australia. They differ in where care happens and how long a break can last.
| Type of respite | Where it happens | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Respite at home (also called flexible respite) | In the person’s own home | A paid carer comes to the home, during the day or overnight, so the usual carer can take a break. Available through the Commonwealth Home Support Program and Support at Home. |
| Day respite (community or centre-based) | In the community or at a centre | The person spends the day out while you have time to yourself. |
| Cottage respite | Outside the home | An overnight or weekend stay, 2 to 3 days at a time, through the Commonwealth Home Support Program. |
| Residential respite | An aged care home | A short stay in an aged care home. An aged care assessment is needed first. |
Harwell provides respite at home. If you are looking for day, cottage or residential respite, Carer Gateway can help you find services near you.
How long can respite last?
Respite can be as short as a few hours or as long as a few weeks, depending on the type. Some carers book a regular few hours each week; others need a longer break from time to time. A small, regular break is often easier to keep up than waiting for one big one.
For residential respite in an aged care home, you can receive up to 63 days of subsidised care in a financial year, and this can be extended by 21 days at a time with the assessor’s approval. Approval does not guarantee a place, so it helps to plan ahead.
Thinking about a break?
Our team can talk you through respite at home and the funding options that might suit your family.
What does respite cost, and how is it funded?
There is no single price for respite. Some respite services are free, while for others you may be asked to contribute towards the cost. What applies to you depends on the type of respite and how it is funded.
For respite at home with Harwell, there are three funding pathways:
- Support at Home. Respite is one of the services in the program’s independence category. An aged care assessment comes first and determines what the person is eligible for. Participants contribute towards the cost based on the service and what they can afford, and only for the services they receive. Read more about Support at Home, how eligibility and assessment work, and the full Support at Home service list.
- Private (self-funded) care. If you are waiting on an assessment or funding, or would simply rather arrange care yourself, you can pay for respite privately. Our private care pricing and fees page explains how it works.
- Veterans’ Home Care (VHC). Harwell is an approved provider of in-home respite care under the VHC program. If the person you care for holds a DVA Gold or White Card, we can guide you through eligibility. See respite care for veterans and veterans’ funding options.
Working out which pathway fits can feel confusing, especially if aged care is new to your family. Our team is happy to talk it through, explain what each option involves and help you understand the next steps before anything is arranged. Call us on 1300 064 430.
What if you need respite urgently?
Most respite is planned ahead, but sometimes it cannot wait: for example, if the usual carer suddenly becomes seriously ill, passes away, or faces an urgent situation that makes caring difficult.
- Call Carer Gateway first on 1800 422 737. You can talk with Carer Gateway about accessing emergency respite at any time. They can look at the options across services, not just Harwell.
- Call Harwell on 1300 064 430 for care at home. We will listen to what is happening and let you know whether we can help. What we can arrange at short notice depends on carer availability in your area, so it is best to call Carer Gateway as well rather than wait on one answer.
Once things settle, it is worth making an emergency care plan, so someone else knows what to do if they ever need to step in.
Who can help you find respite?
- Carer Gateway, 1800 422 737 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm): respite options and local services, including day, cottage and residential respite.
- My Aged Care, 1800 200 422: aged care assessments, which determine the care and services the person may be eligible for.
- Harwell Home Care, 1300 064 430: respite at home, and help understanding the funding pathways above.
Respite at home with Harwell
With Harwell, respite happens in your own home, so the person you care for can stay in familiar surroundings with a familiar face. While you take a break, a trained carer can help with:
- personal care
- medication prompts
- meals
- companionship
Respite can start with a few hours. If you are looking for a longer break, such as overnight or over a weekend, talk to us. What we can arrange depends on where you live and carer availability, and we will be upfront about what is possible.
New to Harwell? Our getting started guide explains the first steps.
This guide draws on information from My Aged Care and Carer Gateway, checked in October 2026. Program rules can change, so check the details with them or with our team.