Respite Care

Respite care supports you, and the person you care for, by giving you both a break from time to time.

What is it?
Types of respite care
Accessing respite care
Costs

What is respite care?

Respite care, also known as short-term care, provides a temporary break for carers and families, allowing them to recharge while ensuring their loved one receives continuous support.

We offer flexible options to suit your needs, providing respite care either in the comfort of your own home or at our residential aged care centres. The duration of respite care can vary widely—from a few hours, overnight or for longer-term stays. Our services are tailored to meet the specific needs, eligibility criteria, and care preferences of both you and your loved one.

A neighbour when you need that extra peace of mind

As a community-owned residential aged care provider with more than 50 years’ experience, we put people first. While you take a short break, your loved one can enjoy activities, connect with new people such as permanent residents and receive compassionate care from our experienced team.

50+ years' experience

We’ve been helping older Australians live independently at home for more than 30 years. Our friendly and supportive team will soon feel like family.

Personalised care

We don’t believe that one size fits all. At IRT you’ll experience personalised compassionate care from trained professionals.

Carers you can trust

All IRT employees are suitably qualified, trained and vetted for their roles. We also invest in regular staff education and training through our industry-leading IRT Academy and national leaders in aged care.

Types of respite care

The types of respite care you can access depends on whether you’re utilising government funding, or paying privately.

Residential respite

Need respite care for more than a few nights? Residential respite care gives you access to professional, personalised care whilst being the perfect opportunity to see what it’s like first-hand without the commitment of a permanent move.

Your loved one can enjoy a change of scenery, participate in activities and see if life at an aged care centre suits them, minus the pressure of moving straight away.

In-home (flexible respite)

If you are looking to take a short break, you can access respite care at home (sometimes also known as flexible respite).

Whether it’s a few hours a week to run errands or a weekend off here and there, our friendly home care team can assist your loved one with daily tasks, taking them to appointments, or on a social outing to places they enjoy.

Emergency respite care

Emergency respite care provides temporary, immediate support for individuals when their primary carer is suddenly unable to provide care due to unexpected situations, such as:

Illness, injury, or hospitalisation of the carer.
Family emergencies or crises.
Carer burnout or emotional distress requiring immediate relief.
Natural disasters or other unforeseen events.

Check out our blog The Good Life to learn more about how short-term care can provide clear benefits to both you and your loved one.

Find out more

Is respite care right for you?

If you need extra support

If you’re going away, moving house or have family caregiving duties, you might find you need some temporary care for your loved one either at home or in residential aged care, while you take a break or tend to other commitments.

Sudden illness or injury

If your loved one’s health has deteriorated or they’ve been in hospital and they need short-term 24/7 care during this time, respite care can provide the support you both need.

Experience residential care

The experience of a short stay in an aged care centre can help ease any fears or concerns they may have about living there on a more permanent basis in the future. As a carer you can also see what life is like for your loved one in an aged care centre receiving residential respite care.

Find out what respite care services are available near you

How can I access respite care?

If you’d like to receive government-funded respite services, the first step is to determine if you are eligible and what type of respite services you are eligible for.

Step 1: Get assessed

If you or your loved one is in need of respite care, the first step is getting assessed by your local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). You may be eligible for government funding, or you can access and pay for respite care privately. Call My Aged Care and they'll arrange for an aged care assessor to visit you.

Step 2: Talk to our aged care team

Once you’re approved by the Aged Care Assessment Team and approved, please contact our friendly team and we’ll help connect you with an aged care centre that meets you and your loved one’s needs and preferences. We’ll ask about your circumstances and encourage you to come in for a tour to familiarise yourself with the aged care centre and meet the team.

Step 3: Confirm your booking

Once a tentative booking is made, you will receive paperwork detailing your loved one’s move-in date and length of stay. Once we have confirmed your booking, we will be in contact with you to confirm arrangements with you and your loved one to move in and experience respite with us.

If you or your loved one requires in-home care (flexible respite), there are government-funded options available through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

Find out more

Respite care costs

Costs vary depending on whether you are eligible for government funding or paying privately.

Services like My Aged Care support respite care for the person you care for. If you’re eligible for the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or a Home Care Package (HCP), you may be able to use these funds to pay for respite care in your own home. If you wish to do so, you can also pay for respite care privately.

For other types of government funding, or costs for respite care in our residential aged care centres, contact IRT.

Frequently asked questions

Are there are different types of emergency respite care?

Yes, there are different types of emergency respite care

In-home emergency respite: A professional caregiver comes to the home to provide care.
Community-based care: Provided in a day centre or community centre
Residential care: Temporary care in an aged care home

How much does respite care cost per day in Australia?

Costs vary based on the service type, but Australian government subsidies can significantly reduce expenses for eligible individuals.

Residential respite care:
- Daily fees are typically between $55 and $75 per day.
- This includes a basic daily fee, usually set at 85% of the single aged pension. Additional fees may apply for extra services or higher levels of care.
In-home respite care:
- Rates range from $20 to $50 per hour.
- Subsidised in-home respite care is available through programs like the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or Home Care Packages (HCP).

How do I pay for residential aged care and is financial assistance available?

How much you pay for residential care aged care depends on the type of care you need, the provider you choose, your individual financial circumstances and the aged care services you receive.

The Australian Government helps pay for residential aged care and accommodation for eligible people.

At IRT, we make it easy for you to understand your residential aged care costs. We have put together a guide which explains costs, options available to you and eligibility for government support. Learn more.

How long can someone stay in respite care in Australia?

In Australia, the length of stay for respite care varies depending on the type of care and the individual’s needs:

Residential respite care (in aged care centres):
Eligible individuals can access up to 63 days of subsidised respite care per financial year, with possible extensions if approved by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). It is possible to extend this by 21 days at a time, with further approval from your aged care assessor, but you may wish to seek permanent care.
In-home respite care:
Duration can range from a few hours to several days or a few weeks, depending on the carer’s needs and the availability of services.

How do I choose a residential aged care home that is right for me or my loved one?

There are several factors to take into consideration when choosing a residential aged care centre or nursing home, including the level of care required, environment, facilities and services offered, food, location and community activities.

There’s no doubt that making the decision to move into an aged care centre and receive residential aged care services can be difficult.

It can be an emotional time for you and your loved ones. The best way to make a good decision is to visit several aged care centres to compare them and get a feel for them. Ask the questions that are relevant to your needs, listen carefully to the responses and keenly observe what is happening around you.

You may also wish to consider respite care so that you can experience life at an aged care centre before making a more permanent move.

Find out more about how to find the aged care centre that’s right for you.

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Respite Care

What is respite care?