Welcome to the Commonwealth Carelink Centre Website

Commonwealth Carelink Centres are information centres for older people, people with disabilities and those who provide care and services. Centres provide free and confidential information on community aged care, disability and other support services available locally, interstate or anywhere within Australia.

The network of Commonwealth Carelink Centres has a number of shopfronts. There are 65 'walk-in' shopfronts throughout Australia. Many shopfronts are conveniently located near, or within, shopping centres.

You can contact your nearest Commonwealth Carelink Centre by phoning a national telephone number Freecall™ 1800 052 222*. Anyone can contact a Commonwealth Carelink Centre and to date Centres have assisted over 500,000 people

When you contact a Commonwealth Carelink Centre, either by phone or in person, you will receive prompt and personalised attention. However, if you would like to search for services in your area yourself you can use our online search facility.

About the Commonwealth Carelink Centre Program

How can a Commonwealth Carelink Centre help me?

There are a wide range of services to support independent living in the community, but finding out about them or accessing them can be time consuming, difficult and confusing. Commonwealth Carelink Centres provide a single point, nationally, for anyone to access this information quickly. The Centres can also assist with information about costs for services, assessment processes and eligibility criteria.

Each Commonwealth Carelink Centre has extensive regional networks and maintain a comprehensive databases containing community aged care, disability and other support services. Shopfronts are operated by organisations that already provide established services within their region. Their extensive local knowledge ensures they provide a quality service. This regional focus enables each Centre to develop an awareness of the entire range of services available, to establish networks with local providers and ensure information is up to date.

What information can I get?

If you require information outside your local area, Centre staff can link you to other Commonwealth Carelink Centres around Australia and they in turn will provide accurate information about services in their local area. The network of Commonwealth Carelink Centres can provide information on services available in every town and city in Australia.

Centres provide information on many types of assistance, from personal care and domestic help to accommodation in nursing homes and hostels. Your local Centre can also let you know which services are available in your area. All information is free of charge and provided in confidence.

Information is available in 16 community languages other than English and information is available for Indigenous and vision impaired clients.

How to contact my nearest Centre?

If you would like to visit a Commonwealth Carelink Centre, you can find the location details of your closest Centre by searching here.

Alternatively, you can call your nearest Centre using Freecall™ 1800 052 222*. Deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired callers may call through the National Relay Service using their modem or TTY by dialling 1800 555 677 then asking for 1800 052 222. Speech impaired callers may also call through Speech-to-Speech Relay by dialling 1800 555 727 then asking for 1800 052 222.

If you need an interpreter to assist you to contact your nearest Centre, telephone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50.

Who operates Centres?

Shopfronts are operated by organisations that already provide services in their region. The wide range of organisations includes community based, religious, charitable, private, and local and State government providers.

Every Commonwealth Carelink Centre operator provides a walk-in shopfront, where anyone is able to walk in and seek the information they require face-to-face. If you find it more convenient, you may phone the Centre on Freecall™ 1800 052 222*, or search the services database online.

Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres

Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres coordinate access to respite services in your local area.

They can give you advice about respite services and find the service closest to you. They can also help you get the right respite services.

Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres work with carers to plan sensible approaches to respite and other support needs and also arrange 24 hour emergency respite care.

For further information on this program call their toll free number: Freecall™ 1800 059 059*.

Other Australian Government Programs and Services

The Australian Government provides a range of programs and services designed to give older people the opportunity to stay in their homes and to live independently in the community. There are also a range of residential aged care options available. A comprehensive overview of these programs and services is available online.

Further information

For further information on the Commonwealth Carelink Centre program contact your local centre by calling Freecall™ 1800 052 222*.

For other information consult the Resources and Links section of this site.

(* Calls from mobile phone are charged at applicable rates)