Open opportunities
Surveys, consultations and representative roles – your voice makes a difference!
By speaking up about your experiences, you can inform decision making and service design, and create positive change for you, other carers and the whole community.
Carers Australia invite you to have your say in the following open opportunities. If you wish to raise a specific issue, you can email the team by clicking here.
We’re currently in the early stages of organising two community co-design workshops—one focused on older Australians and the other on people with disability. These workshops are part of a broader project to develop accessible resources that help people stay safe online. We are acting on behalf of the Act Now. Stay Secure. initiative, an Australian Government cyber security awareness program. You can find out more about the campaign here:
https://www.cyber.gov.au/act-now
Workshop details:
- Format: In-person
- Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours
- Location: Uni Park, Level 1, Building 4, 195 Wellington Road, Clayton VIC 3168
- Participants: a diverse mix of ages, disabilities, and digital literacy levels
The sessions will create space for open and honest dialogue, inviting people to share lived experiences and accessibility preferences related to:
- Cyber security topics such as strong passwords, Multi Factor Authentication (MFA), and software updates
- Personal experiences of scams, hacking, stolen identity, or similar online threats
We’re particularly looking for people with lived experience in one or more of these areas, including those who may have encountered:
- Scam phone calls, texts, or emails
- Hacked accounts
- Money stolen
- Identity misuse
- Viruses or malware
- Impersonation by scammers
- Any other type of online scam or threat
Each participant will receive a $200 voucher in appreciation of their time. Lunch will also be provided for all participants and their support person.
To be a part of this study, contact Kellie Preston (she/her), National Strategy and Relationships Manager at The Information Access Group:
Tel: (03) 9585 2299 | Email: [email protected]
This study aims to:
- Explore carers’ specific needs
- Explore the role of peer support and social networks, and how peer support impacts unpaid cancer carers’ well-being
- Learn about carers’ experiences with support systems
- Identify barriers and enablers in delivering effective peer support
- Develop a tailored peer support model for carers in underserved areas
Can I participate in this study?
- One family member diagnosed with any type of advanced cancer
- Over 18 years old
- Living in one of the regional, rural or remote areas in the Darling Downs region (a farming region on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range in southern Queensland)
- Able to write, read and speak in English
- Providing care for an individual with advanced cancer for at least 2 months
What do I need to do?
- You are invited to participate in an online 20-minute survey pilot study to assess the questions
- We are inviting a small group of unpaid cancer carers for a survey to make sure the questions are relevant and truly reflect the experiences and needs of unpaid cancer carers
- Your participation will help us refine the questions and improve the study before we invite more carers to take part
Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time if you like. Please click the link for further information and access to the survey.
If you are living with dementia, or currently support someone living with dementia, you are invited to take part in the Living with Dementia Survey
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) together with the University of Canberra are running the first national Living with Dementia Survey in 2025.
The survey aims to gather information on the experiences of people living with dementia and the experiences of family and friends providing support to someone living with dementia in the community (i.e. at home, not in a care facility).
This information will help to track the National Dementia Action Plan 2024-2034 which aims to improve the lives and care of people living with dementia, their carers and families over the next 10 years.
Researchers are seeking both people living with dementia in the community, and those currently caring for someone living with dementia, to participate:
- If you are a current care partner of someone living with dementia you can complete the survey online by going directly to the survey at: https://uoc.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Gvh11i62lYEwDA.
- If the person you support would also like to participate in the study, and is able to complete a survey mostly independently (with some support from you), they can also take part in the study by following the link below.
- If you are someone living with dementia you can first complete a consent form online by going to https://uoc.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7X8KEh25QjabebI.
- At the end of the consent form you can provide your contact details so that we can reach out to you about the survey, or if you like you can call our team on 1800 964 333, Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm.
Want a paper survey or assistance completing the survey? Call University of Canberra on 1800 964 333, Monday – Friday, 9am-4pm.
The first 2,000 current carers aged 18 or older living in Australia, and the first 1,750 people living with dementia aged 18 or older who complete the survey before November 3rd 2025 will receive a $40 gift card as a thank you for taking part.
A researcher from Charles Sturt University is investigating how culturally and linguistically diverse Australians find and seek information about home care packages.
Are you +65 and a migrant to Australia, or do you care for someone who is +65 and a migrant to Australia?
Please reach out to Md Shofiqul Islam on 0480 558 240 or [email protected].
Participants will receive a $30 gift card for participating in the study.
Deakin University invites you to take part in a new survey, “Person-first and identity-first language: Family and carer perspectives”.
Participation is open to individuals who are family members or carers of people with disabilities. The survey takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and responses are anonymous.
Link to the survey: https://researchsurveys.deakin.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_etcdXTr4gQk0XVc
If you have any questions, please contact the research team at [email protected]
Are you caring for someone with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia? Are you experiencing difficulties with your sleep? We want to hear from you!
Monash University is inviting community members to help co-design a digital sleep intervention, supported by sleep coaches, for people living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia and their care partners.
The study involves:
- 3 co-design workshops (60-90 mins each) over 12 months
- Discussions, brainstorming and design activities
- Feedback on the program
- Questionnaires
- Interviews (optional)
You will receive $40/hr for your time and feedback into the program!
For more information, please follow this link: https://redcap.link/care2sleep_codesign
Or email ([email protected]) or call (03 9905 0086) and have a chat with a member of our research team.
Deakin Health Economics are undertaking a research project involving carers of stroke patients.
The survey will inform us about your experience with providing support to someone who has had a stroke.
Findings from this research may offer a better understanding of factors which affect family and friend carer health and wellbeing, providing evidence that informs development of public health policy, and future studies for populations with care needs.
Interested in helping? Follow the survey link for more: https://surveydau.pureprofile.com/survey/selfserve/5e1/250518?list=testing&ptest=1
Uber is launching an important trial to advocate for more inclusive, provider-neutral transport subsidy schemes, moving beyond the current taxi-only model. Our goal is to demonstrate, with real-world evidence, the benefits of giving people with disabilities greater choice in how they travel.
If you care for someone with a disability who uses a state-based taxi subsidy scheme, this trial is for them!
During the trial, Uber will fund a subsidy equivalent to what the person with disability would usually receive under their state-based taxi subsidy scheme. This subsidy will apply automatically when the eligible person with disability books a ride through the Uber app. This will help us gather meaningful insights to support future government policy reform.
Who Can Participate?
At this stage, the trial is open only to individuals with a disability who do not require a wheelchair-accessible vehicle and are currently eligible for a state-based taxi subsidy scheme.
Interested in Learning More?
If the person you care for fits the criteria and is interested in participating, please click here to submit an Expression of Interest.
Researchers from the University of Queensland want to learn how families support teen wellbeing after cancer treatment. Your insights can help improve care for others.
As part of the study, a researcher will conduct online interviews, using a secure online videoconferencing platform, with young people and/or their carers to better understand their experiences and the resources they use to stay well. Each interview will last approximately one hour, and participants will receive a $50 gift voucher to acknowledge their time.
If you or your teen are interested in sharing your experiences, please email [email protected] or click on this link: https://uniofqueensland.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9TeDJe4syRIJLmK
Are you aged 65+ (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and providing care for a loved one?
Help us understand how to best support your emotional wellbeing while you care for someone when you are older yourself.
Swinburne University is conducting a qualitative study to understand older carers’ needs for psychological support and attitude about online psychological programs.
Register your interest to take part in a confidential interview with us via the following link: https://tinyurl.com/carersinterest
A $40 gift card will be provided to participants who completed the interview.
The University of Sydney is conducting a research study about the impact of combined vision and hearing loss (dual sensory impairment, or DSI) on older adults and their carers.
We know from previous studies we have conducted that older adults with DSI can or may experience a range of impacts including social isolation, loneliness and depression, and that DSI impacts day-to-day activitiese. We also know that carers are key to supporting people with DSI in their day-to-day activities.
We are seeking adults over the age of 65 years with both hearing and vision loss, and their carers, to better understand the impacts of DSI. We need your help in designing strategies that work to support you.
To be part of this study you will be:
• over 65 years and have a combination of hearing and vision loss
• be the carer for a family member with combined vision and hearing loss aged over 65 years, and who currently lives with the person they care for.
Taking part in this study will involve attending four workshops to develop knowledge and understanding of DSI, as well as developing communication skills that will work for you and your family member. This study is funded by the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG), and you will be reimbursed for your time. We will also interview you at the beginning of the study, at the end and also three months after the study finishes. We can do this at your home or a place convenient to you.
For further information or to register your interest in participating in the study please contact Dr Moira Dunsmore, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, on [email protected] or by phone on 02 9351 0784 or 0410 708 669.
Our team at La Trobe University, in collaboration with Dementia Australia, is conducting a cross-sectional study to better understand dementia awareness among South Asians living across Australia.
We want to hear what you know about dementia and your experiences with care. Your insights can truly make a difference
A drug called donanemab is being considered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for the medicines it will consider reimbursing at its meeting in July 2025.
The public consultation period invites input from patients, carers, professional societies, and consumer groups to provide the PBAC with insights while deciding whether to provide reimbursement.
Have your say by clicking through an online survey.
Would you like to be part of our research to improve the quality of care with a focus of infection prevention and control?
If YES, you may be interested in being part of our Consumer and Community Group.
We aim to develop and assess a program for Infection Prevention and Control nurses who work in residential aged care across Australia. We hope the program will lead to better quality of care and health for people living in residential aged care.
What’s involved?
The Consumer and Community Group will
- offer advice to the researchers based on their experience of residential aged care.
- meet (online via Teams or Zoom) every 3-6 months or as required to discuss project plans.
Reimbursement
You will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs and offered payments that reflect the time commitment involved in project activities.
Please contact Dr Jo Tropea at [email protected] for more information or to express your interest here.
What are your views on voluntary assisted dying in Australia? Go Gentle is seeking responses to a survey now at gogentleaustralia.org.au/vadsurvey
People with disability due to serious road trauma access a range of primary health and community care services to support their recovery and ongoing health. However, these services can be difficult to navigate, and are often poorly connected. We are conducting research to address this challenge, and will develop recommendations for improved integrated and connected services within Adelaide.
We need your input to help us achieve this goal. We want to interview people who use primary and community care services (clients and carers/family) and the clinical service providers (clinicians, service providers and care managers).
You will receive gift cards for participating – $75 for an interview and $150 to attend a co-design workshop.
For more information, please contact Dr Heather Block on [email protected] or phone 0473 845 999.
The National Workforce Collaboration are holding a series of Roundtables to discuss:
- What a career path would look like for support workers
- What entry level through to senior positions might entail in terms of responsibilities, qualifications and pay
- What other barriers currently exist and how these can be rectified (licences, checks and clearances, casualisation of the workforce)
- What skills and qualifications should be included in training to meet the needs and expectations of Australians living with disability
- How these training offerings align with career progression and professional development opportunities and
- How people with disability can be directly involved.
If you would like to join the roundtable in Perth on Wed 28 May 2025 10am-2pm or in Adelaide on Monday 2 June 2025 10am-2pm please email Sheryl Boniface at [email protected]
We are looking to recruit people who would be willing to share some of their personal experiences as consumers or carers. Discussion areas and questions asked in the video could include:
- what was prescribed when it was prescribed?
- what kind of effect did the medicine have, did it help?
- if side-effects were experienced, what were they, how did they impact?
- how easy/difficult was it to stop taking the medicine?
Recruitment criteria:
We’d love to hear from anyone who is based in Sydney, who meets the following criteria:
- a consumer aged 65yrs+, current or previous lived experience of taking antidepressants for 6 months or more, or
- a carer aged 18yrs+, who has cared for a consumer aged 65yrs+, with current or previous lived experience of taking antidepressants for 6 months or more.
Filming details:
- Filming will take place in Sydney in late May 2025
- It will involve 2–3 hours of your time on one day
- Participants will receive a gift voucher as a thank you
If this sounds like you and you’re interested in taking part, visit the HCCA Quality Use of Medicines website for more information, or contact Nadia Owuor at [email protected]
We are currently looking for adults aged 65 years and above to share their experiences in using an online nutrition educational resource for frailty.
What our study involves
- Assessing a nutrition educational website for frailty over a 4 week period
- Completing 2 online questionnaires
- One telephone/online interview
What’s in it for you
- Unlimited access to an online educational resource for the prevention and management of frailty
- Enhanced knowldege and skills to optimise your nutrition
👉 How to register: contact our research team at [email protected]
Are you aged 60 or older, living in Sydney, and are you or someone you care for experiencing memory problems?
Help scientists and researchers develop a new tool to help GPs and clinicians understand how memory problems affect everyday tasks like shopping or managing finances. This tool will allow them to offer more tailored care and support, and help people maintain independence.
What’s involved?
- Telephone screening
- Questionnaires (online or paper)
- 2x in-person assessments
- A telephone screening and questionnaire to be completed by a person who knows you well
Compensation
- You will receive a $50 gift voucher for participating in the study, and reimbursed for any travel or parking expenses. Your informant will receive a $25 gift voucher.
About the study
Researchers from Western Sydney University and De La Salle University will conduct interviews and focus groups with young people.
Requirements
* 15 to 30 years old
* Australian
* Use the internet to support your mental health and wellbeing
Participation is voluntary, confidential, and no identifying information about you will be shared n the findings of the study.
Participants will receive a $35 voucher for each interview or focus group they attend.
To get started, visit this website.
In response to the findings of the Disability Royal Commission and the Independent Review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the Australian Government – the Department of Social Services – is writing a Disability Support Quality and Safeguarding Framework and the Disability Support Ecosystem Safeguarding Strategy. These are to make sure all people with disability get good support and are safe.
- What is important to improve quality and safeguarding
- What outcomes – or changes – are important for people with disability
- What it would look like and how they will know if these outcomes were achieved.
We’re looking for people who have lived experience with disability and their families and carers.
Lived experience is everything you have been through and felt in your life. It’s your personal story, shaped by what you’ve seen, heard, and experienced. It informs how you see the world.
We are looking for people with disability to work with our team on the project. We are also looking to recruit people with disability and their families and carers from a small number of other disability organisations. This will mean we have a diverse lived experience team.
You don’t need to have particular skills for this role. You just need to:
- Be interested in quality and safeguarding
- Be able to work with our team – by email and online meetings.
You will be paid for your time!
If this sounds like something you are interested in, you can apply for the role by clicking here.
If you have any questions or would like to talk more about the role, please email Layal Hanna at [email protected].
Participate in a research project on Digital Health
Researchers from Western Sydney University and De La Salle University are talking to young carers about how they use digital platforms and technologies to stay mentally well. Share your story and help us understand what works best for you!
You are eligible to participate if you are: 15-30 years old, an Australian carer, and use the internet to support your mental health and wellbeing.
Sign up to join an interview or focus group here: https://bit.ly/yesparticipating
Participate in a research project about how young people with disability and young carers define good listening, and whether they feel listened to by the organisations and services in their lives!
The project is called Listening Together, and more information is available on their project website.
Listening Together invites young people with disability and young carers to take part in the research by completing one of two online surveys . You’re eligible if you are 15 to 29 years old, live in Australia and identify as a person with disability or a carer.
Please visit listening-together.com/the-surveys, and thank you in advance!
The University of Queensland is seeking Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander representatives, who are ex-serving ADF members with experience of suicidality (either their own or others) or who have experience having cared for an ex-serving ADF member with a history of suicidality.
Consultations are held online and are an hour in length. There are also in-person meetings in Brisbane, if you are available.
Participation is paid.
For more visit this DVASUIC Google site.
Details:
The Health Care Consumers’ Association (HCCA), in partnership with Sydney Health Literacy Lab, is researching how we can help people who are prescribed anticoagulant tablets (blood thinning medication) for atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). Your experiences and opinions could make a difference for others.
Who can participate:
Anyone who is based in Australia, over 18 years of age, an adult prescribed anticoagulants tablets for atrial fibrillation or a carer of someone prescribed anticoagulant tablets for atrial fibrillation
To sign up:
- Fill in your details here: register for anticoagulants consumer interviews, or
- Call HCCA on (02) 6230 7800
Participants will receive a gift voucher in recognition of their valuable time and contribution.
Details:
Sign the petition and help us guarantee super for Australia’s unpaid carers.
Requested by:
Carers Australia and Are Media
Closing date:
Not specified
Find out more:
Click here