Unpaid carers play a vital role and make a significant contribution to the health, wellbeing and security of their family members and friends who need support and assistance in Tasmania.
Minister for Community Services, Roger Jaensch, said that to celebrate and promote the contribution of Tasmania's 80,000 carers to their communities, the Tasmanian Government is providing $20,000 funding for a Carers Small Grants Program and $20,000 to Carers Tasmania to support Carers Week events.
"As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future, the Tasmanian Government has boosted funding for Carers Tasmania and Carers Week," Minister Jaensch said.
"Organisations can apply for grants of up to $2,500 for events and activities in Tasmania during Carers Week, which is celebrated 13-19 October 2024."
The grants come as the Tasmanian Government prepares to align with the National Carer Strategy.
Minister Jaensch said the Government has extended the Tasmanian Carers Action Plan to 2025 and that the voice of Tasmania's carers has informed the refreshed plan.
"Many of us will become carers at some point in our lives, or we may need care ourselves," he said.
"Through the refresh, the Action Plan has been extended, from 2024 until 2025, to ensure the development of the next Tasmanian Carer Action Plan considers and aligns with the National Carer Strategy which is due to be released in December.
"The refreshed Action Plan recognises the elevation of the former Carer Issues Reference Group to the Minister's Carers Advisory Council.
"Carers are experts in their own experience, and I thank the Minister's Carers Advisory Council for their collaboration in developing the refreshed Action Plan."
To reflect alignment with The Carer Recognition Act 2023, the refreshed Action Plan also includes:
Guidelines for the Carers Small Grants Program are available from the Department of Premier and Cabinet website https://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/cpp/community-grants.
The refreshed Supporting Tasmanian Carers: Tasmanian Carer Action Plan 2021-25, is available on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website: www.dpac.tas.gov.au.
