Respite Care for Grandparent and Kinship Carers in Western Australia

When a Break Is Not Optional

Grandparent carers are often older, on fixed incomes and managing their own health conditions alongside the demands of raising a child. Burnout is not a personality failing — it is a predictable consequence of full-time caregiving without adequate breaks. Respite care gives you time to attend medical appointments, rest, or simply have a day to yourself so you can keep going.

In Western Australia, respite options exist through several channels. The challenge is knowing which one applies to your situation.

Respite Through the Carer Gateway

The federal Carer Gateway (1800 422 737 or carergateway.gov.au) is the main national entry point for carer respite. It offers:

• Planned respite — regular sessions of in-home or centre-based care so you can take a predictable break
• Emergency respite — a service provider may help arrange short-notice care if you become sick or injured and cannot continue caring, where a suitable local service is available
• Counselling and coaching — online and phone-based emotional support

You do not need to be a registered foster carer to contact the Carer Gateway, but eligibility depends on your caring role and the support needs of the person you care for. Call to discuss your circumstances; a provider will assess your needs and the services available locally.

NDIS Respite for Children With Disability

If the child in your care has a disability and an NDIS plan, that plan may include funding for Short Term Accommodation (STA) or In-Home Respite. This is separate from the Carer Gateway — it is funded through the child's NDIS package.

For children under 9, the NDIS Early Childhood Approach provides access to early intervention supports without a formal diagnosis. An NDIS Early Childhood Partner can explain what supports may be available under the child's plan.

Wanslea (Uplyft) and Community-Based Respite

Wanslea's Grandcare service offers support and referrals across WA. Ask whether it can help identify respite options in your area.

Other community options:

• 4Families (Relationships Australia WA) — 6164 0600. Offers family support across Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Mandurah and Rockingham.
• Mission Australia Midwest — 1800 951 123. Grandparent-specific program covering Geraldton and surrounding towns.
• Local community centres — some operate holiday programs or after-school care that may give you a break.

What Respite Does Not Require

A court order is not a general prerequisite for contacting Carer Gateway or community-based services, but each provider sets its own eligibility requirements. Ask what evidence it needs; documents gathered for Centrelink, such as a statutory declaration, school confirmation or GP letter, may help explain your situation.

You also do not need to be in crisis. Planned, regular respite before you reach breaking point is more sustainable than emergency respite after you are already burnt out.

Putting the Supports Together

Respite is one piece of a larger support picture. If you have not yet claimed the financial payments available to WA kinship carers — Family Tax Benefit, the Grandcarers Support Scheme and ACCS Grandparent childcare subsidy for eligible grandparents, and the Gold Card energy relief for eligible carers — those reduce the daily financial pressure that compounds exhaustion.

Our WA Kinship Carer Support Guide covers all the available payments and support services in one place, with checklists for the evidence you need and step-by-step instructions for each claim.

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