If you are caring for a family member living with disability, you already know what it takes. The early mornings, the appointments, the advocacy, the emotional weight of always being switched on. Caring is one of the most meaningful things a person can do — and one of the most exhausting.
This guide is for you. Not for the person you support — for you.
The reality of being a carer
In Australia, there are over 2.65 million unpaid carers. Many of them are parents, partners, siblings, or adult children who stepped into a caring role gradually, without training or a roadmap. For many, the caring role expanded over time until it became the centre of their life — often at the cost of their own health, relationships, career, and sense of self.
This is not a failure. It is what happens when love meets need without enough support. The answer is not to care less — it is to build a support structure that allows you to keep caring sustainably, without burning out.
Why carer wellbeing matters
There is a practical reason to prioritise your own wellbeing, beyond the obvious: if you reach a point of crisis, the person you care for is also in crisis. Sustainable caring requires a carer who is rested, connected, and supported.
Research from Carers Australia shows that carers are significantly more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and chronic health conditions than the general population — and significantly less likely to seek help. Recognising the signs of carer burnout early, and taking action, is one of the most important things you can do for both yourself and the person you love.
Signs of carer burnout to watch for
- Feeling constantly exhausted, even after rest
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities you used to enjoy
- Feeling resentful, angry, or guilty — and then guilty about feeling those things
- Neglecting your own health, appointments, and basic needs
- Feeling like there is no way out or no one who understands
- Losing patience more easily than usual
If any of these feel familiar, you are not alone — and there is support available.
Practical tips for staying well as a carer
Accept help when it is offered — and ask for it when it is not. Many carers find it difficult to let others in. But sharing the load, even in small ways, makes a real difference.
Keep at least one thing in your week that is just for you. Whether it is a walk, a coffee with a friend, or an hour with a book — protecting time for yourself is not selfish. It is necessary.
Stay connected to people outside the caring role. Isolation creeps up slowly. Making a deliberate effort to maintain friendships and community connections helps protect your mental health over the long term.
Speak to your GP. Carer stress has real physical health consequences. A GP who knows your situation can monitor your health, refer you for support, and help you access carer-specific programs.
Know your rights. As a carer, you have rights — including the right to be involved in planning decisions, to access information, and to receive support in your own right through Carer Gateway.
Respite support — what it is and how to access it
Respite is time away from the caring role. It is one of the most important supports available to carers, and one of the least used — often because carers feel guilty taking a break, or do not know how to access it.
Respite can take many forms:
In-home respite — a trained support worker comes to your home so you can take a break, run errands, rest, or spend time doing something you enjoy.
Centre-based respite — the person you support attends a day program or activity centre, giving you time at home or out in the community.
Short-term accommodation — the person you support stays in a supported accommodation setting for a short period, giving you an extended break — often used for holidays, family events, or when a carer is unwell.
Emergency respite — available when a carer has an unexpected health event, family emergency, or crisis situation.
If the person you support has an NDIS plan, respite (listed as Short-Term Accommodation or Assistance with Daily Life) may be funded within their plan. If you are supporting an older person, respite may be available through their Home Care Package or the CHSP.
At Surf Coast Support Services, we provide both planned and emergency respite across Geelong and the Surf Coast. We can help you work out what is available within your family member’s plan and get it in place.
Carer Gateway — support for you
Carer Gateway is the Australian Government’s national program of support specifically for carers. It is free and available to anyone providing unpaid care. Through Carer Gateway you can access:
- Carer coaching and counselling
- Peer support groups — online and in-person
- Carer-directed support to help with practical tasks
- Emergency respite
- Planning support to help you think about your future as a carer
You can reach Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or at carergateway.gov.au.
Peer connection in Geelong and the Surf Coast
One of the most powerful sources of support for carers is other carers. People who truly understand what you are living — not because they read about it, but because they are in it too.
At Surf Coast Support Services, we run carer peer support groups and can connect you with local networks across Geelong and the Surf Coast. We also offer one-on-one carer consultations — a chance to sit down with someone who knows the system, talk through your situation, and explore what support is available to you.
You deserve support too
The person you care for is lucky to have you. But that does not mean you have to do it alone, or without support. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness — it is a sign that you understand what it takes to keep going.
If you would like to talk about respite, carer support, or what services might be available to your family, please reach out. We are here for carers, not just the people they support.
Call us or email info@surfcoastsupport.com.au — the first conversation is always free.