About the National Carer Strategy
On 10 December 2024 the Minister for Social Services (The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP) announced a new National Carer Strategy, delivering on a promise from 19 October 2023. For the first time in a decade the government has pledged, through this Strategy, to invest in and develop programs that make a real and positive change to the lives of carers. This Strategy replaces the 2011 National Carer Strategy and implementation plans, and provides a framework for coordination of carer policy across Commonwealth portfolios including aged care, disability, veterans’ affairs, and mental health. It was developed in consultation with carers across Australia to ensure it reflects the diversity of carers and the challenges they face.
Read the 2024-2034 Strategy on the DSS website
Our contribution to the Strategy
Carers Australia assisted in the design of the 2011 Strategy and the subsequent roll-out of implementation plans.
In 2024, Carers Australia again supported the Department of Social Services (DSS) and hosted a range of carer consultation activities and data collection to inform the development of the National Carer Strategy. In additional to its participation on the National Carer Strategy Advisory Committee, Carers Australia undertook consultations with nearly 500 carers from every state and territory via 55 consultation activities.
A diverse range of carers were consulted, with consultation locations including metropolitan, regional and remote/rural locations across Australia. Consultation activities were supported and facilitated by the National Carer Network, Dementia Australia, Mental Health Carers Australia, Partners of Veterans, GLBTI Rights in Ageing (GRAI) and Eating Disorders Families Australia.
We consulted with
A total of 498 carers
Over a period of 835 hours
At 55 different consultations
Across 8 states and territories in Australia
From diverse backgrounds and caring situations
And collaborated with 28 stakeholders
Reports
Across the consultations conducted by Carers Australia, universal themes included carer fatigue, social isolation, poor interoperability between government services, system navigation issues and the need for tailored, flexible respite. Carers also highlighted financial distress and a lack of recognition from health professionals as key impact factors further negatively affected their wellbeing.
Key issues identified by all carers were:
- the emotional and mental depletion arising from their caring role;
- employment challenges;
- financial challenges and stress;
- struggling to find about the services available to themselves and care recipients; be they aged care services, the NDIS, medical services, basic income support and assistance with particular expenses;
- service information and system navigation challenges;
- training in caring for people with particular conditions; and
- peer support and respite.
The National Carers Network welcomes the release of this new National Carer Strategy and thanks Minister Amanda Rishworth for delivering on this election commitment, as well as the Department of Social Services for its significant role in the development of the Strategy.
“The Strategy identifies the issues and challenges that carers grapple with every day and provides a blueprint for the future,” said Carers Australia Chairperson David Quilty. “The crucial next step is to build on this important work with concrete actions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of carers.”
Unpaid carers are critical to Australia’s future; over 3 million Australians provide care and support to one or more loved ones who live with disabilities, health conditions, addiction, are frail and aged or require palliative care. Without their contributions of at least $78 billion annually our economy would collapse.
Carers Australia is committed to working closely with the government to ensure this Strategy evolves with tangible timelines and financial investment in policies and programs that improve carer wellbeing, security, access to supports and respite.
The following reports have been created by Carers Australia, synthesising the voices of carers across Australia to inform the National Carer Strategy.
