Caring for someone you love can take a lot out of you. Often, failing to see that we can only serve our ageing loved one at our best if we are properly recharged and rested ourselves. This is where respite care steps in. Arranging respite care means having someone else step in while you rest and recharge. But who is eligible for respite care in New Zealand, and how do you apply? In most cases, you'll need a free needs assessment. This guide explains what you need to know if you qualify for a referral and what to expect next.
Quick Summary
In New Zealand, funded respite is generally available to older people with long-term, age-related needs that may require the help of a full-time family carer. To find out if your loved one is eligible, they’ll need a free local needs assessment arranged by the Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC). Either you or your loved one's GP can usually make the referral.
If approved, you receive a set number of days of respite or Carer Support each year. Private respite needs no assessment and can often start within days.
Who Is Eligible for Respite Care in NZ?
Funded respite care is usually available to older people with ongoing, age-related needs. A full-time carer looks after them at home. A needs assessment confirms eligibility for respite care case by case.
Most older people's services support people aged 65 and over who have an age-related disability. In some districts, this means conditions that may be expected to last longer than six months. People under 65 with a long-term chronic condition may also qualify. People with disabilities under 65 may access a separate disability NASC service.
The carer’s needs matter too. A full-time carer is someone who provides more than four hours of unpaid care each day. This could be you, your partner, or another family member.
| Your loved one's situation | Usual route to respite |
|---|---|
| Aged 65 or over with ongoing age-related needs | Local needs assessment through NASC |
| Under 65 with a long-term health condition | NASC, depending on the district |
| Under 65 with a disability | Disability NASC service |
| Care needs caused by an injury | ACC case manager |
| Short-term recovery after a hospital stay | Short-term NASC support, or private care |
| Any situation, paying privately | Contact a provider directly |
How to Qualify for Respite Care Through the Needs Assessment
To qualify for respite care in New Zealand, your loved one needs an interRAI assessment by a trained health professional. For context, every NASC service across the country uses the same internationally validated assessment tool, so you can be sure your loved one is assessed thoroughly and fairly, like everyone else who may need similar support.
The assessor gathers the information needed to build a profile of how your loved one manages day-to-day. It helps determine what they can still do, and where they may need support. The assessor will also look into how you’re doing and coping as a carer. The carer's health and wellbeing is also an important part of the picture, not just an afterthought.
Everyone involved in the elderly person's care works from that same profile, alongside the support plan that your coordinator puts together. The same assessment also opens the door to other opportunities such as home help, personal care, day programmes and Carer Support, not just respite.
The assessor will ask about your relative’s health condition and living circumstances, among others. The assessment usually takes place in person at your relative’s home, and you’re welcome to attend as a support person. The interview/assessment can take up to two hours.
The assessment isn’t a test you need to pass. Being open about difficult days helps the assessor understand your situation better. People with greater needs are given priority, so there may be a waiting list. The assessment and service coordination itself are free for all eligible citizens and residents.
Do You Need a Referral for Respite Care?
You do not usually need a GP referral for funded respite care. Most NASC teams accept self-referrals, provided the person receiving care agrees.
In South Auckland, a GP, friend, family/whānau member or the person themselves can refer, with consent. If you are coordinating care from another city, contact the NASC in your relative's district, not your own.
If you pay privately, no assessment is required, so you don't need a referral.
How to Apply for Respite Care in NZ, Step by Step
To apply for respite care, call your loved one's local NASC service and ask for a needs assessment. There is no separate respite care application form, because the assessment is the application.
- Find the right NASC team. Each Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora district runs its own service.
- Ask for an assessment. Mention respite care and the Carer Support Subsidy by name, so the assessor considers both.
- Prepare for the visit. Write down a typical week, current medications and the tasks you cover each day.
- Receive the allocation. If your loved one is eligible, the coordinator assigns respite days, Carer Support, or both. They will also explain your respite care options.
- Book and claim. You book the respite services you choose, then claim Carer Support costs on the official claim form.
Many families search for a "Ministry of Health respite care form". That form is now the Carer Support claim form, processed by Health New Zealand. Completed forms go to csclaims@health.govt.nz, and the Carer Support Line on 0800 855 066 can help with questions.
What Respite Care Entitlement in NZ Looks Like
Your respite care entitlement in NZ depends on your assessment. Planned respite is provided as a number of days each year, up to 28 days, though the exact amount may vary.
Families often ask who qualifies for a respite care grant. In practice, this grant funds respite, and your NASC coordinator determines eligibility after the assessment. The type of respite offered also depends on that assessment. Planned respite is usually offered as a short-term stay in a rest home.
| Type of respite | What it covers | How you get it |
|---|---|---|
| Planned respite | A short-term stay in a rest home or hospital-level care home | Allocated days after assessment |
| Immediate respite | Care at short notice when no days are allocated yet | Ask the GP or NASC, subject to availability |
| Carer Support Subsidy | Flexible days or hours, at home or elsewhere | Allocated after assessment |
| Day programme | A day of activities and company for your loved one | Through NASC, or private |
| ACC respite | A break when care needs follow an injury | ACC case manager |
The Carer Support Subsidy is the most flexible of the respite supports. It can pay for home and community support services, a day programme or family stepping in. Some carers use it to pay for day programmes for someone living with dementia. Since subsidies rarely cover the full cost, read our guide to respite care costs in NZ before booking.
What If Your Loved One Does Not Qualify?
If your loved one doesn't qualify, or the wait is too long, other options are still available. Private respite care doesn't require an assessment. You choose the hours, especially if you need to take a break urgently or have other pressing matters to attend to.
Immediate respite may be available at short notice without allocated days, so ask the NASC or GP first. If an injury caused the need for care, ACC may help you take a break.
Carer Support may not cover short-term recovery after a hospital stay, but private help at home can bridge the gap. This can also help if you’re recovering and would like additional support for a few weeks.
You can also ask for a review if you disagree with the assessment outcome. If caring is wearing you down while you wait, our guide for family carers offers support for carers taking a break. Unsure whether your relative needs more help yet? Look for signs that more support is needed at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for respite care?
Funded respite care is usually available for older people with ongoing, age-related needs. They rely on a full-time carer at home. A free NASC needs assessment confirms eligibility. Anyone can pay privately for respite without an assessment.
Can I get respite care for my elderly loved one?
Yes. Most older people with a full-time family carer can be assessed for funded respite. Private in-home respite is also available without an assessment.
How do I apply for respite care in NZ?
Contact your loved one's local NASC service and ask for a needs assessment. If they are eligible, the coordinator allocates respite days or Carer Support.
Do you need a referral for respite care?
Not always. Most NASC services accept referrals from the person receiving care, their family or their GP, with consent. Private respite doesn't require a referral or assessment.
How does my loved one get assessed for respite care?
A trained health professional will usually visit your loved one's place to complete an interRAI assessment. They will take note of your relative's health condition and living situation, as well as the support you may need as a carer. The assessment is free for eligible New Zealanders.
Respite at Home With Personal Assistance
Personal Assistance provides private in-home respite across Auckland, so your loved one stays in their own home while you rest.
Care can also begin within days, even while you wait for the assessment. This is especially important when care is urgently needed.
Our directors personally select every carer and member of our team. Each one is police-vetted and trained in providing first aid.
We take the time to thoughtfully match your loved one with a carer who suits their routines and personality. We’re also happy to offer guidance on whether a needs assessment or Carer Support could complement private care.
For a broader overview, read our guide to respite care for elderly loved ones in NZ, or explore home care services in Auckland.
Care starts with a supportive conversation. Call us on 021 226 5925 or 021 227 9448, or send us a message.
References
Eldernet. (2025, May 30). Do I need an assessment to access respite care? https://www.eldernet.co.nz/knowledge-lab/home-community/respite-short-term-care/do-i-need-an-assessment-to-access-respite-care
Eldernet. (2026a, September 25). How does an interRAI assessment work? https://www.eldernet.co.nz/knowledge-lab/how-the-system-works/assessment/how-does-an-interrai-assessment-work
Eldernet. (2026b, July 21). Is there funding available for respite care in New Zealand? https://www.eldernet.co.nz/knowledge-lab/home-community/respite-short-term-care/respite-care-subsidy
Eldernet. (2026c, August 14). What is the carer support subsidy? https://www.eldernet.co.nz/knowledge-lab/home-community/respite-short-term-care/what-is-carer-support
Eldernet. (2026d, September 7). Who pays for respite care? https://www.eldernet.co.nz/knowledge-lab/home-community/respite-short-term-care/who-pays-for-respite-care
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. (n.d.). Carer Support Subsidy. https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/our-health-system/claims-provider-payments-and-entitlements/carer-support-subsidy/
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Lakes. (n.d.). Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination (NASC). https://lakesdhb.govt.nz/our-services/needs-assessment-service-co-ordination
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waikato. (n.d.). Health of Older People (HOP). https://waikatodhb.health.nz/about-us/a-z-of-services/older-persons-rehabilitation-and-allied-health/health-of-older-people
Healthpoint. (2026, May 27). Needs Assessment & Service Co-ordination (NASC) | Counties Manukau. https://healthpoint.co.nz/public/older-peoples-health/needs-assessment-service-co-ordination-nasc-2/
Ministry of Health. (2018). How to claim Carer Support: General information about Carer Support. Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/assets/Our-health-system/Claims-provider-payments-and-entitlements/Carer-Support-claims/How-to-Claim-Carer-Support.pdf