Published 26th July 2024
Unpaid carers in Australia, comprising family members, friends, or community members, provide essential care to individuals within existing relationships. This form of caregiving extends to 3.0 million Australians (ABS, 2022) who support those with disabilities, mental health, medical and age-related conditions. Their role is integral to sustaining the viability of the care and support economy.
The Government understands the economic implications of unpaid caregiving, particularly, potential lost productivity and workforce participation among caregivers. While the Government provides some support for caregivers through existing initiatives, these benefits may not adequately compensate for the full value of caregiving labour. Supporting caregivers is essential for safeguarding the health and wellbeing of both caregivers and care recipients.
In October 2023, the Honourable Amanda Rishworth MP, Minister for Social Services, announced the inception of a National Carer Strategy with an investment of $3.8 million through to 2025-26, marking a pivotal step towards establishing a unified framework to champion Australia’s dedicated carers.
Read more about the National Carer Strategy.
The Department of Social Services engaged Deloitte to facilitate meaningful and representative community consultation across Australia to inform and co-develop the National Carer Strategy, with those it is designed to reach.
We warmly invite the carer community across Australia to actively engage with us, sharing their valuable knowledge and insights. Your input is instrumental in helping us gain a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges faced by the carer community. Together, let’s shape the development of the National Carer Strategy by identifying the solutions you would like to see.
To find out if and how you can participate in the consultation visit the National Carer Strategy website here.
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