Carers Australia

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Carers Can’t Quit.

Australia’s 3 million carers need a better deal.

People who care for family and friends heavily subsidise the health and social systems, yet the care they give too often comes at great personal, social, emotional, and financial cost. Many carers are struggling. This federal election, we’re calling on all candidates to commit to real solutions for carers.

Why this matters

Carers provide essential support to family and friends with disability, chronic illness, mental health conditions, or frailty due to aging. Their care enables people to live at home, reduces pressure on government health systems and strengthens communities.

But the cost of caring is too high and not shared equitably. Many carers are locked out of the workforce, living in financial distress, and struggling with poor health. Rising living costs are pushing them to breaking point.

This election, we need action.

Our Five Election Asks

Carers Australia is calling on all political parties and candidates to publicly support a modest investment of $586.75 million in 2025, including:

Ask 1 Cost-of-Living Support for Carers

Increase the Carer Allowance by 15% and provide a one-off $300 boost to the Carer Supplement.

Carers face extreme financial hardship. This support will help cover essential transport, medical bills, and daily expenses.

Learn more

Ask 2 Superannuation for Carers

Let’s take Super on the Carer Payment seriously with economic modelling to assess adding superannuation contributions for carers.

Carers lose an average of $392,500 in lifetime earnings, it’s time to secure their financial future.

Learn more

Ask 3 Expanding the Young Carer Bursary

Raise the bursary to $4,500 and double the number of bursaries to support young carers’ education.

More than 391,000 young carers balance school and caring responsibilities, and this will give them a fair shot at the future.

Learn more

Ask 4 Carer-Inclusive Workplaces

Expand the Carer-Inclusive Workplace Initiative to enable employers to improve carers’ employment opportunities and workplace flexibility.

Many carers want to work but face barriers; this initiative will help create carer-friendly workplaces.

Learn more

Ask 5 Carer Recognition Right from the Start

Train health professionals to identify and support carers when they become carers.

Many carers don’t get support until they reach crisis; early intervention can change lives.

Learn more

Take Action

Contact Your Local MP

Make your voice heard! Use our email template to tell your local MP why carers deserve better.

Email Your MP Now

Tell Your Story

Make your voice heard! Share your story with us today or let us know if you’re keen to be a spokesperson for the campaign.

Email us today

Supporter's Pack

Want to help spread the word? Our supporter pack includes:

• A social media toolkit
• A printable flyer to share in your community
• A template letter for MPs and election candidates
• A downloadable postcard to send to your MP

View Supporter Pack

Download Supporter Assets

Join the Movement

Every Australian benefits from the contributions of carers. It’s time to support them.

Together, we can make caring a national priority in the 2025 Federal Election.

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We acknowledge with gratitude the carers who volunteered for the photographs here.

Cost-of-living support for carers

Ask 1

1a Increase the Carer Supplement and index it against inflation to provide carers with financial security and better support the rising costs of living. A one-off 50% increase in 2025 to the Carer Supplement to provide immediate relief.
1b A permanent 15% increase to the Carer Allowance with 10% delivered now and 5% next financial year.

Impact

Reduces financial stress for approximately 660,000 carers already receiving a support payment with a total of $527M this year.

Helps carers cover essential costs like transport, medical, and daily living costs.

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We acknowledge with gratitude the carers who volunteered for the photographs here.

Superannuation for carers

Ask 2

Let’s take Super on the Carer Payment seriously with economic modelling to assess adding superannuation contributions for carers, addressing long-term financial insecurity and preventing carers from retiring into poverty.

Impact

More than 800,000 primary carers of working age are faced with significantly lower workforce participation rates (51%) when compared with non-carers (69.5%). This action improves long-term financial security for carers of working age who face superannuation gaps due to reduced workforce participation.

Reduces future government costs by decreasing reliance on the Age Pension.

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We acknowledge with gratitude the carers who volunteered for the photographs here.

Expanding the Young Carer Bursary

Ask 3

Increase the annual Young Carer Bursary to $4,500 per recipient and double the number of bursaries available from 1,592 to 3,500 to meet growing demand in 2026.

Impact

Provides direct financial relief to more than young carers struggling to balance education and caring responsibilities.

Supports young carers in completing high school, vocational training, and tertiary education, reducing future welfare reliance.

Cost $9.75M.

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We acknowledge with gratitude the carers who volunteered for the photographs here.

Carer-inclusive workplaces

Ask 4

Expand the Carer-Inclusive Workplace Initiative (CIWI) to help more businesses implement flexible work policies that retain carer employees.

Impact

Supports employers to have and keep carers in the workforce, reducing financial stress and workforce exclusion.

Helps employers, especially those facing labour shortages, retain skilled workers, particularly in health, education, and hospitality sectors.

Budget allocation: $2 million over three years.

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We acknowledge with gratitude the carers who volunteered for the photographs here.

Carer recognition in healthcare

Ask 5

Fund training for health professionals to improve early identification and support for carers at the point they become a carer.

Impact

Ensures carers receive timely support rather than waiting until they reach crisis.

Strengthens partnerships between carers and health care providers, leading to better care outcomes.

Budget allocation: $3 million over two years.

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