Australia's three million unpaid carers are the unsung heroes of our nation, and the Albanese Labor Government is making sure they are recognised, valued and empowered in their vital work.
During National Carers Week, Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth is today opening public consultation on the draft National Carer Strategy, which delivers on an election commitment to set the direction and course for our effort to drive positive change for carers.
While the former Gillard Labor Government began this important work in 2011, there has been no Commonwealth carers' strategy since 2015, with the Coalition Government abandoning their duty to support carers.
Through the Strategy, carers have told us what they need to continue their caring roles while participating fully in society themselves.
"With ingenuity and resilience, carers keep Australia going. For us to keep going, we must be recognised and supported as individuals with our own needs, who attend to the needs of others," Australian carers say in the Strategy's Statement from Australia's Carers.
They highlight the shortfalls in the caring system that especially let down young carers who feel like they have to conceal their care work out of embarrassment, lifelong carers who worry about who will look after their loved ones as they themselves age, and carers sandwiched between generations, often forgoing relationships, income, and wellbeing.
The new Strategy will support better decision-making on policies that affect carers and explains where we will prioritise our efforts - making sure carers feel like they are recognised, that they have a voice, and that they can continue to pursue their own ambitions and passions while they care for their loved ones.
The draft Strategy has been guided by the National Carer Strategy Advisory Committee and informed by public consultations in all states and territories in metropolitan, regional, and remote locations, as well as online, and through a public submission process.
Ensuring the draft National Carer Strategy can be reviewed by unpaid carers, former carers, the wider support sector and anyone with an interest in the sector is critically important.
"Carers play an integral role in the nation's health and social care systems; often making significant personal sacrifices - foregoing careers, social lives, and educational opportunities to care for loved ones," Minister Rishworth said.
"The National Carer Strategy is designed for anyone in an unpaid caring role and it's our aim to drive meaningful change for this important group of selfless Australians.
"We want to hear from people right across Australia about their thoughts on best supporting unpaid carers. Carers play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life and independence of those they care for, and make critical but often unrecognised contributions to the nation's economy, health and social care systems."
The Government has committed $3.8 million to develop the National Carer Strategy.
This is in addition to boosted support for carers since the Albanese Labor Government was elected including:
- Providing over $911 million over four years to 2026-27 for carer support services, including the Carer Gateway service;
- Launching the Carer Inclusive Workplace Initiative with funding of $2 million to ensure carers are better supported to participate in the workforce;
- Providing over $18 million to change the participation limit for Carer Payment, removing travel, education or volunteering time from the calculation of the participation limit, along with changes to Temporary Cessation of Care days, so carers who want to work, study or volunteer can more easily and flexibly do so; and
- Providing $10 million to double support for young carers to continue their education through the Young Carer Bursary program.
Public consultation on the draft Strategy is now open on DSS Engage until 3 November 2024.
