Australia’s three million unpaid carers will be better recognised, respected, valued and supported under the Albanese Labor Government’s new ten-year National Carer Strategy.
The National Carer Strategy 2024-2034, to be launched today, sets the direction for Commonwealth efforts to improve the lives of Australia’s unpaid carers, including to support their health and wellbeing and to remain connected to economic and social opportunities.
It also aims to have the role of unpaid carers better understood.
Unpaid carers selflessly provide support and assistance to someone, whether this is due to disability, a medical condition, a mental illness or frailty due to age. Unpaid carers can be any age. Most unpaid carers are women.
The last Commonwealth carer strategy was launched by the Gillard Government in 2011, but there has been no strategy since 2015, when the Liberal National Coalition Government decided it was no longer needed.
The National Carer Strategy reinforces the Government’s commitment to Australia’s unpaid carers and was importantly developed in consultation with carers, the care sector, and the National Carer Strategy Advisory Committee, to ensure it reflects the needs of carers and what is most important to them.
It is supported by a three-year Action Plan which will address priority areas of the Strategy and deliver practical and vital additional supports for carers. This includes helping them to participate in the workforce, education or training, and to access appropriate services and supports at a time and in a way that suits their needs.
Actions being announced today include:
- Increasing the number of phone counselling sessions through Carer Gateway by a further 10,000 sessions per year– helping more than 1,600 additional carers each year;
- Extending the hours for the Carer Gateway support service so carers can seek support at times that are more flexible to their needs; and
- Expanding access to peer support services and training.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the National Carers Strategy delivers on an important election commitment to drive positive change and set a national agenda that ensures unpaid carers are supported in all aspects of their lives.
“Today’s launch of the Strategy marks a pivotal step towards better supporting Australia’s carers, who provide vital support to those they care for every day,” Minister Rishworth said.
“We know caring is not a one size fits all experience, and that carers are a diverse group of people with a variety of needs and experiences.
“That’s why it was so important for us that the Strategy was built with carers, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to participate in our consultation process and shape a Strategy that will drive real and needed improvements in the lives of all Australia’s carers.”
Minister Rishworth said actions announced as part of the Action Plan would bring the National Carer Strategy to life, complementing the $907 million provided by the Albanese Government over 4 years to 2027-28 for carer support services. The Strategy and Action Plan recognises the diversity of carers and facilitates supports that are appropriately informed, co-designed and safe for all carers to engage with.
“Importantly by working to expand Carer Gateway hours and ensuring carers have greater access to counselling and peer support will provide carers with the appropriate supports at the right time, so they can lead rich and fulfilling lives while performing their caring role,” Minister Rishworth said.
As Australia’s population ages, the number of Australians providing unpaid care is expected to increase dramatically, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to recognise and support their efforts.
For further information on the National Carer Strategy, please visit dss.gov.au/supporting-carers/national-carer-strategy.