Are you a GP or a Service Provider?
Who we are and what we do
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (CRCCs) provide information on the range of allied health and community support services available in every Home and Community Care (HACC) region across Australia. We refer clients to all government, non-government and private services.
If you have a client with complex needs beyond your own service role, you can contact us to discuss their situation with us and submit a referral form. Alternatively, they can contact us directly or refer to our website at: www.wesleymission.org.au/CRCC.
Enquiries, referrals and requests - please call:
Freecall* 1800 052 222
*calls from mobiles are charged at applicable rates.
Our service is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FAHCSIA).
Respite care – availability and eligibility for services
There are carer respite centres in each HACC region. To be eligible for respite, the carer must:
- Be caring for a person who is an Australian Citizen or a permanent resident of Australia;
- Be caring for a person who has been living with a disability, terminal or chronic illness for at least six months and;
- Have been in the caring role for at least six months
- Caring for someone living with mental illness
- Caring for someone living with severe and profound disabilities
- Under 25 years when caring interferes with primary or secondary education
- Over 65 years caring for a younger person with a disability
The respite care application and assessment process
A referral for respite services can be made by any GP, service provider or member of the public.
When contacted, a respite coordinator will undertake a needs assessment over the telephone with the carer (at times with the care recipient’s participation). Alternatively, if you call on client’s behalf the CRCC can discuss their situation with you. This usually takes between 20–30 minutes. Interpreter services can be arranged through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450.
Once the initial assessment has taken place, respite intake forms will be emailed or faxed to you for completion with your client.
The CRCC does not have waiting lists and carers do not need to register. The aim is to provide flexible services responding to carers at the time of request. The decision to provide respite is based on urgency, availability of resources and priorities in accordance with departmental guidelines.
Guided Referral
The CRCC does not case manage clients. However, in some circumstances where coordinators judge that the enquirer lacks the capacity to access services frail due to dementia or illness, a respite coordinator will take a more proactive role to link the client to suitable community care services.
Inner West Community Quicklists, Directories and Resources
Quicklists display the contact details of community services in the Inner West region of Sydney. They can be saved or printed. The information is refreshed each time you click on the link, so it is always up to date.
- Community Services Quicklist for Older People - CRCC Inner West
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Carer Services Quicklist
- Health Professional’s Quicklist to Services for Older People
- Community Services Quicklist for People with Intellectual disabilities, Autism and Aspergers
- Quicklist of Mental Health Services for Consumers
- Quicklist of Mental Health Services for Carers
- Physical Disability Services Quicklist
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Inner West Directory
The ATSI directory is designed to help Aboriginal service providers and workers locate support services in the Inner West. Services are categorised by support types and include Aboriginal health, social, transport, help at home and respite services.
Dementia Directory [1 MB PDF]
The Dementia Directory is a comprehensive list of dementia specific community services for people who live in the Inner West. This list was developed in partnership with the Inner West Dementia Advisory Service (Sydney South West Area Health Service).
Service Provider CALD Resource Kit
The Newtown Neighbourhood Centre has developed a new Service Provider Resource Kit to assist with supporting carers from a Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background.
Enquiries, referrals and feedback
The CRCC may be contacted by:
Phone: 1800 052 222
Fax: 9641 7045
Email: innerwestcarelink@wesleymission.org.au
Alternatively, enquiries can be made in person at our Inner West Office at:
44 Liverpool Rd
Summer Hill NSW 2130
Office Hours: 9am – 5pm
Service Providers may use the online form.
GPs may use the GP referral form [58 KB PDF], which can be submitted via email or fax on completion.
