Carers Australia is frustrated by the Productivity Commission’s reluctance to prioritise the needs of carers in recommendations arising from its Carer Leave Inquiry.

As the Peak Body for Australia’s 2.65 million unpaid carers, we argued throughout the Commission’s Inquiry for carers of older people to be entitled to long-term carer leave. This would allow carers to take an extended time off work to adjust to a new intensive caring situation, all while keeping their position in the workplace.

The Commission is not supporting this recommendation.