South Hedland, Western Australia.

The Pilbara Mobile Respite Service was established in August 2005 as an innovative approach to providing respite for carers living in remote towns and communities. It operates out of South Hedland and the workers travel throughout the Pilbara region.

The service is operated by a team of two people who, as Coordinator and Respite Support Worker, provide a mobile service using a 4WD vehicle and caravan, to Carers and the people they care for throughout the Pilbara.

The service assists Carers of the frail aged and younger people with disabilities in remote communities where Carers have no access to any other support.

Respite for Carers provides them with a break from their usual caring role. The Mobile Respite Service is designed to deliver flexible respite options to remote and rural communities, including Marble Bar, Nullagine, Jigalong and other Western Desert communities, Tom Price, Onslow, Karratha and Newman. The service is delivered so that people do not have to travel to the larger towns, like Port Hedland, for respite.

Funding is provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing under the National Respite for Carers Program.