Caring for a loved one is one of the most meaningful things you can do — but it's also one of the most demanding. Every carer needs time to rest, recharge, and attend to their own wellbeing. That's what respite care is for.
If you're a family carer in Sutherland Shire or the St George area, this guide explains what NDIS respite care covers, the different types available, how to access funding, and what to look for in a provider.
What is Respite Care?
Respite care is temporary, short-term support provided to an NDIS participant or older person — specifically to give their primary carer a break. It can be planned in advance or arranged at short notice in an emergency.
Respite isn't a luxury. It's a recognised need. The NDIS and the Support at Home program both fund respite because research is clear: when carers burn out, the quality of care for the person they support declines. Respite prevents that.
Types of Respite Care Available in Sutherland Shire
1. In-Home Respite
A support worker comes to your home while you take a break. This is the most common form — it's least disruptive for the participant, who stays in their familiar environment. It can be a few hours, a full day, or a regular weekly arrangement.
2. Overnight Respite
A support worker stays overnight — either awake through the night (active overnight) or on call in a sleeping arrangement (sleepover). Overnight respite gives carers a full night's sleep, which can make an enormous difference to their wellbeing and capacity to care.
3. Weekend and Holiday Respite
Extended cover over a weekend or longer period, allowing carers to take a proper break, travel, or attend to personal commitments. The same high-quality support continues in your absence.
4. Emergency Respite
When a carer is suddenly unwell, has a family emergency, or is simply in crisis, emergency respite steps in at short notice. Good providers should be able to arrange emergency cover within hours. This is one of the most critical services a provider can offer — ask about it before you sign up with anyone.
How Respite Care is Funded
Through NDIS
NDIS respite is funded under Core Supports — specifically the "Assistance with Daily Life" and "Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation" categories. It can also be included in Short-Term Accommodation (STA), which specifically funds time away from home for participants and relief for carers.
Respite support must be included in the participant's NDIS plan. If it's not currently in your plan, raise it at your next plan review or contact your Support Coordinator to request an unscheduled review. You don't have to wait if your need has genuinely changed.
Through Support at Home (formerly My Aged Care)
If you're caring for an older family member (generally 65+), carer respite can be accessed through the Support at Home program. An ACAT assessment is required to determine eligibility and the level of support. The My Aged Care website (myagedcare.gov.au) or a call to 1800 200 422 is the starting point.
Private Funding
If you're not yet funded through NDIS or My Aged Care, or if you need additional hours beyond your funded allocation, private respite is available. Rates are transparent and agreed upfront.
What to Look for in a Respite Provider
Not all respite care is equal. Here's what matters:
- Consistency of workers: The person you love should see the same familiar face for respite — not a different stranger every time. Ask providers whether they can guarantee consistent worker allocation.
- No subcontracting: Some agencies send workers they don't directly employ. This creates a gap in accountability and quality. Directly employed staff are trained to the provider's standards and are fully accountable to them.
- Emergency availability: Can they genuinely step in at short notice? Ask for specific examples of how they've handled emergency respite requests.
- Cultural and personal matching: Good providers take the time to understand the participant's personality, preferences, and background, then match them with a worker who is genuinely compatible.
- NDIS registered: If your loved one is agency-managed, you must use a registered NDIS provider. Check the NDIS provider register at ndis.gov.au.
Respite Care in Sutherland Shire — What's Available Locally
St Anastasia's Care provides respite support across the Sutherland Shire — including Sutherland, Miranda, Caringbah, Cronulla, and Engadine — as well as the St George region including Hurstville, Kogarah, Rockdale, and Bexley.
We offer in-home respite, overnight respite (both active and sleepover), weekend cover, and emergency respite. All of our support workers are directly employed — we don't use subcontractors. Wherever possible, we match the same worker to the same participant so respite always feels familiar and safe, not disruptive.
“We understand how much trust it takes to hand over the care of someone you love, even for a little while. That's why we take the time to understand your loved one's needs and routines, and wherever possible we provide the same familiar carers, so both of you feel completely at ease.”
— St Anastasia's Care
Getting Started
If you're a carer in Sutherland Shire or St George and you're not sure where to start, the simplest step is to reach out. You don't need to have everything figured out — just tell us your situation and we'll help you understand your options.
If you already have NDIS respite funding, we can start within days of agreeing on a service agreement. If you're still building your NDIS plan, we can provide guidance on how to request respite funding at your next plan review.