Meals on Wheels
National Office
Web: mealsonwheels.org.au
Aged and disability services and support
Services and supports for older people, people with disability and carers can be accessed through My Aged Care, the NDIS and the Carer’s Gateway. These agencies provide national entry points to services via their contact centres or website.
My Aged Care
My Aged Care is the national entry point for aged care services for people 65 years and over, or 50 years and over for Indigenous Australians.
Web: myagedcare.gov.au
Phone: 1800 200 422
National Disability Insurance Service (NDIS)
The NDIS is the national entry point for people disability, their family and carers who require disability services and support.
Web: ndis.gov.au
Phone: 1800 800 110
Carers Gateway – Integrated Carer Support Service (ICSS)
Carer Gateway provides information about services and support available for people who care for someone with disability, chronic illness, dementia, mental illness or who are frail aged.
Web: carergateway.gov.au
Phone: 1800 422 737
Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre (CRCC)
The CRCC provides short-term and emergency respite and advice for people who care for someone with disability, chronic illness, dementia, mental illness or who are frail aged. Service provided by the CRCC will be transitioned to the Carers Gateway on 31 May 2020.
Web: www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers
Phone: 1800 052 222
Carers NSW service
Carers NSW provide information, support, counselling and education for people who care for someone with disability, chronic illness, dementia, mental illness or who are frail aged. Some services provided by Carers NSW will be transitioned to the Carers Gateway on 31 May 2020.
Web: carersnsw.org.au
Phone: 1800 242 636
Local Council services for seniors
Local Councils operate a range of services and community events for older people. Find out more information by contacting your local Council’s Aged Services department below.
Advocacy support
If you would like an advocate to speak on your behalf, the following services can support you. Services can often be provided free of charge.
Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)
Web: opan.com.au
Phone: 1800 700 600
Advocacy services for people with disability
You can find an advocacy service close to home by using the Disability Advocacy Finder, operated by the Australian Government.
Web: disabilityadvocacyfinder.dss.gov.au
Elder Abuse Advice and Support – Ageing and Disability Commission
Web: ageingdisabilitycommission.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1800 628 221
Complaints
You have the right to make a complaint about any of the aged or disability services you receive. If you feel comfortable, you are encouraged to raise your concern or complaint with your provider first, as this is often the best way to have your issue resolved quickly. However, if you are not satisfied with the response you can contact the following organisations.
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Phone: 1800 951 822
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Phone: 1800 035 544
Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)
Web: opan.com.au
Phone: 1800 700 600
Translation and interpreting support
TIS National has access to more than 3000 contracted interpreters who speak more than 160 languages.
Web: tisnational.gov.au
Phone: 131 450 (within Australia)
Phone: +613 9268 8332 (outside Australia)
National Relay Services
The National Relay Service (NRS) is a government initiative that allows people who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or have a speech impairment to make and receive phone calls.
Web: Internet relay call
Speak and Listen number: 1300 555 727
TTY: 133 677
SMS relay number: 0423 677 767