• Who we are

    Carers Australia is the national peak body representing Australia’s unpaid carers, advocating on their behalf to influence policies and services at a national level.

    What we do

    Carers Australia advocates and lobbies on a wide range of issues that affect carers. We also manage the delivery of national programs, support and services for carers across Australia.

    We work in collaboration with carers, Carers Associations, government and peak bodies to develop policy, advocacy, programs and events to improve the lives of Australia’s 2.65 million carers.

  • Who is a carer?

    Carers are people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged.

    What does a carer do?

    Commonly, carers are responsible for the management of medications. Carers provide emotional, social or financial support. Caring may also involve helping the person they are caring for to be organised, reminding them to attend appointments and dealing with emergencies.

    Carers provide 2.2 billion hours of unpaid care per year in Australia

    There are currently 2.65 million unpaid carers in Australia

    The replacement value of the unpaid care provided is $77.9 billion per year in Australia

    287,000 primary carers provide 40 hours or more of unpaid care per week

  • Carers National News
    Carers National News – 15 March 2024

    15 March 2024

    Carers National News
    Carers National News – 1 March 2024

    6 March 2024

    Carers National News
    Carers National News – 16 February 2024

    16 February 2024

  • Submission
    Submissions to the new Aged Care Act Exposure Draft call for stronger carer inclusiveness

    14 March 2024 – 3.64 MB

    The draft new Aged Care Act is a bitter disappointment to Carers Australia and to other consumer organisations operating in the aged care space. It does not include any of the recommendations the Aged Care Royal Commission with respect to carers right receive timely and tailored supports which address their own needs and enhance their capacity to provide care, both in their own interests and in the interests of those they care for.
    Media Release
    International Women’s Day 2024

    8 March 2024 – 160.7 KB

    On International Women’s Day, Carers Australia is calling on Federal Government to invest in Australia’s unpaid female carers by paying Superannuation Guarantee Contribution on the Carer Payment.
    Media Release
    Superannuation for Unpaid Carers: The Next Logical Step

    7 March 2024 – 178.83 KB

    Carers Australia is calling on Federal Government to improve the wellbeing and economic support for Australia’s 2.65 million unpaid carers by adding superannuation to the Carer Payment. It comes after Finance Minister Katy Gallagher confirmed the government plans to introduce legislation ensuring super on government-funded paid parental leave.