Respite care is when someone else takes care of the person you care for so that you can have a break.

Care2Serve provides two types of respite to carers.

Planned Respite Care: We offer planned respite as part of our tailored support packages. This allows you to take a break while knowing the person you care for is looked after. For example, you have a support worker stay with the person you care for while you attend to your needs.

We provide short-term respite care within the home, allowing carers to step away from their role and recharge with the peace of mind that their care recipient is supported.

Residential Respite: Residential respite is a short-term stay in an aged care facility, providing carers with a much-needed break or to attend to matters that are urgent to them, for example, a complex medical procedure. Care2Serve facilitates the booking of residential respite care in aged care facilities across Tasmania.

If the person you care for is over 65 years old (or over 50 if they are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander), they may be eligible for respite care once assessed by My Aged Care (MAC). Most facilities require a minimum stay of 2 weeks. We will guide you through the booking process and ensure you have all the information you need.

If you are considering making an aged care facility a permanent home for the person you care for, please contact the facility directly to discuss this.

Please fill in the form below if you would like to get in touch with us. For more details, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) at the bottom of this page. 

Residential Respite Enquiry Form

Have they been approved for residential respite through My Aged Care (MAC)? *
Do they have a carer? *
Are you their carer? *
Are you seeking residential respite in the next 4 weeks? *

Frequently Asked Questions

Residential respite is a short term stay in an aged care facility. Care2Serve facilitates the bookings for residential respite in Tasmania. If you are looking to make an aged care facility a permanent home, please contact the facility directly to discuss this.

  • Ensure you have approval to access Residential Respite by contacting My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or check the aged care support plan. You will get a 12-digit code to represent the approval.
  • Have an up-to-date Medication Chart and Health/Care Summary – your GP can provide these. If the person is in the hospital, a discharge summary is required to transfer them to respite in a facility.
  • Contact Care2Serve to register and submit the Residential Respite request to the team.
  • Have at least three options of facilities in mind for the Residential Respite stay.

Once you have submitted your request, our team will contact the requested facilities, which will then check their availability and capacity to accept the request. It may take some time to receive a response. Our team will update you once the facility responds. If the facility approves your request, someone will contact you to inform you. We will then send a confirmation and booking letter with the approved stay dates.

  • Aged Care Facilities have their own minimum stays. Expect that 14 days will be the minimum stay they will consider. They may not accept a booking more that 6 weeks in advance – discuss directly with the facilities for clarity.
  • Facilities will want to know that your GP is contactable or available to visit should the person in respite fall ill.
  • You can access 63 days of respite per financial year, if more is required, extensions beyond that can be arranged by the facility.
  • Not all facilities offer Residential Respite. There are several factors that facilities will consider before accepting a request.
  • Some facilities have shared bedrooms and communal bathrooms, please advise the team if this is unsuitable.
  • Have a plan B in case Residential Respite is not available when you want it.
  • A planned admission to the hospital may be needed where respite is not available or until respite can be found.

  • Yes, by having the Residential Respite Code, you can access respite at a subsidised fee. There will be an out-of-pocket expense that cannot be paid by the Home Care Package. The facility can advise of their individual fees.
  • If you have a DVA card, they may be able to assist with fees. Call them directly to discuss on 1300 394 703.
  • If you are facing financial challenges, please contact Services Australia for the Aged Care Financial Hardship Program on 1800 227 475

  • Mobility or Continence Aids – Bring any necessary aids required for the stay.

  • Clothing – Ensure all clothing is labeled with the person’s name.

  • Medication – Any medication that they need.

  • Personal Items – Any personal items, books, or hobby materials.

  • If approval codes have not been issued, respite can be accessed under certain urgent circumstances – the facility will need a recent medication chart and health care summary to assess whether they can meet the persons needs.
  • A planned admission to the hospital may be needed where respite is not available or until respite can be found.

Call our friendly team on 1800 422 737 (press 1 at the menu) to discuss.

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