National Carers Week 2026: Support for Carers in Werribee & Geelong
11 to 17 October 2026
Every day, more than 3 million Australians care for a family member or friend without being paid for it. Many are parents, partners, brothers, sisters and grandparents of people with disability, right here in Werribee, Hoppers Crossing and Geelong.
National Carers Week is a chance to say thank you, and to make sure carers know where they can turn for support. This page brings together free help for carers and the ways our team can lighten the load.
What is National Carers Week?
National Carers Week is held every October to recognise and celebrate the unpaid carers in our community. In 2026 it runs from 11 to 17 October, and the theme is “Care for a carer: Making carers visible”.
A lot of carers don't think of themselves as carers. They see themselves as a mum, a husband, a daughter or a friend doing what needs to be done. If you regularly help someone with everyday life because of disability, illness, mental health or ageing, you are a carer, and there is support for you too.
Free support for carers in Werribee and Geelong
Carer Gateway
Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program that offers free services and support for carers. It can help with counselling, coaching, peer support groups, and planned and emergency respite. Call 1800 422 737 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) or visit carergateway.gov.au.
Carers Victoria
Carers Victoria supports carers right across the state. Its Carer Advisory Service gives practical advice and can connect you with the right supports and services. Call 1800 514 845 or visit carersvictoria.org.au.
If you or the person you care for is ever in immediate danger, call 000.
Looking after yourself as a carer
You can't pour from an empty cup. A few small things can make a real difference:
- Plan regular breaks before you run out of steam. Planned respite is much easier to organise than help in a crisis.
- Talk to other carers. Peer support groups are a good place to share the load and swap ideas.
- Keep key details in one place, like contacts, medications, routines and plan information, so others can step in when needed.
- Say yes when people offer to help, and don't be afraid to ask.
How Felicity Holistic Care can help
If the person you care for is an NDIS participant, or receives support through TAC or WorkSafe, the right supports can make life easier for the whole family. Our team in Werribee and Geelong can help with:
- Respite care, so you can take a break knowing your loved one is in good hands.
- Supported Independent Living (SIL) and SIL accommodation, for people ready to live more independently with support at home.
- Support coordination, to help you understand the NDIS plan and connect with the right services.
- Plan management, to take care of provider invoices and paperwork.
- Allied health, including occupational therapy and psychology.
- Community participation and our Superheroes social groups and school holiday programs, so the person you care for can have fun, build skills and make friends.
- TAC and WorkSafe supports for people recovering from a transport or workplace injury.
Not sure where to start? Give us a call on 1300 589 176 or send us a message and we'll talk it through with you. When you're ready, you can also make a referral.
To every carer in our community: thank you. What you do matters, and you don't have to do it alone.
Sources: National Carers Week, Carer Gateway, Carers Victoria. Last updated October 2026.
