Carer wellbeing

This page provides information to help you look after your own wellbeing. Caring for someone can be rewarding but it can also be physically and mentally exhausting. This page is for anyone who provides everyday care to another person. The information on this page is to help you in your role as a carer.

Giving you a break

Respite Care

DVA understands that caring for a friend or family member is incredibly rewarding but it also can be physically and emotionally exhausting.

DVA offers respite care to:

• carers of Veteran Gold or White Card holders
• Veteran Gold or White Card holders who are carers
• Veteran Gold or White Card holders who are self-carers (for Residential Respite only).

There are three types of respite care available through Veterans’ Home Care (VHC):

• In-home respite
• Residential respite
• Emergency Short-term Home Relief (ESTHR).

To find out more, visit the VHC respite care page of the DVA website or VHC assessment agency on 1300 550 450.

If a client is not eligible for respite care through DVA, this can be organised through My Aged Care. For more information, visit the respite care page on the My Aged Care website.

Convalescent Care

After a stay in hospital, during the initial stages of recovery, a client may need a greater level of care than you can provide in your home. In this circumstance, DVA can offer convalescent care. Speak with the hospital discharge planner or social worker to explore this option.

For more information visit the Convalescent care page. 

Please note, if a client is not eligible for convalescent care through DVA, there are similar care arrangements available. For information on this, visit the transition care page of the My Aged Care website.

Carer networks

Carer Gateway

Carers Gateway offers free support and services including, tailored employment, education, respite and transport support packages – phone-based counselling, online peer support and coaching, emergency respite, online skills courses, and much more. Carers of veterans can access the free services by calling Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737, Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm and select option 1 to speak with their local service provider or visiting the Carer Gateway website.

Carers Australia

Carers Australia recognises the vital role that carers play in supporting Defence force members, as well as the Australian Defence Force (ADF) members who provide unpaid care.

Find out more by visiting the Defence and Veterans carer network webpage.

Connect to your local member organisation.

Mental health support

Who to call for urgent help.

If you or someone else is in crisis and needs immediate help, call one of the following:

• Triple zero (000) if you feel like you may hurt yourself or someone else
• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046
  24-hour free counselling and support for you and your family
• ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line on 1800 628 036
  Confidential 24-hour telephone service for ADF members and their families
• Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14
  Free support services if you are in crisis and need to talk to someone
• 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732
  National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service.

For more information on urgent help, visit our crisis contacts webpage.

Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling

DVA recognises caring for someone can be hard. As a carer you can access the support of Open Arms which is a free and confidential, 24/7 national counselling service for Australian veterans and their families. They offer 24-hour telephone counselling, mental health training programs, peer support networks, self-help resources, crisis accommodations support, relationship retreats, group treatment programs and suicide prevention courses.

Call 1800 011 046 or for more information or visit Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling.

MindSpot

You are not alone. Mindspot is funded by the Australian Government and here to support you.  Mindspot is a free digital mental health clinic for all Australians. Providing online assessment and treatment to Australian adults experiencing anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD and difficulties managing the impact of chronic conditions including pain.  For more information visit www.mindspot.org.au or call 1800 614 434.

Social support

It is important to your mental health and wellbeing that you remain social and connected to your friends and community. These friends and community can also support you in your caring role by providing a social outlet can greatly improve your quality of life.

Ex-service Organisations

Ex-service organisations offer veterans opportunities to socialise with peers who have similar stories and backgrounds. Many local organisations offer social outings and get togethers, which may provide you a break.

You can find more details information as well as a list of ESOs by visiting dva.gov.au/ESO.

Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme

Volunteer visiting is a free service that aims to provide friendship and companionship to older people and help develop social connections. It focuses on the needs of older people from particular linguistic, cultural and complex vulnerability backgrounds who may be at greater risk of social isolation. This included veterans. For more information on the scheme, you can visit the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme web page on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s website.

Volunteering in Aged Care

Volunteering in aged care contributes and leads to positive outcomes for older people and veterans. These benefits can include increased mental health and wellbeing, social connectedness and reduced isolation. 

Volunteering can occur:  

• in a residential aged care home
• in an older person’s own home (if they are receiving in-home or community care)
• in public (for example accompanying an older person to a coffee shop, park, etc)
• between locations (for example delivery of meals, transport to appointments and community centres). 

To find out more about opportunities to volunteer in aged care go to - Volunteering in aged care.

Help accessing aged care services

It’s no secret aged care can be confusing and it’s often difficult know where to start. You don’t have to do it alone. There are many services available through the government as well as independent services that can support you on your aged care journey.

The Help Accessing Aged Care Services page provides information on available support. There are also further support services to help you understand and navigate aged care. You can explore these options by visiting the Getting support in aged care webpage on the My Aged Care website.

Other pages we think may interest you

• Information for carers
• Caring for older DVA clients
• Raising an aged care concern
• The Aged Care Act 2024