Carers Australia

08/09/2026

National Carers Week 2026 is just around the corner!

From Sunday 11 – Saturday 17 October 2026, we’ll be celebrating carers across Australia under this year’s theme:

“Care for a carer: Making carers visible.”

The National Carers Week 2026 website is now live, with the events section open and ready to explore.

Whether you’re a carer, workplace, organisation or community member, there are plenty of opportunities to connect, celebrate and show your support for carers during National Carers Week.

With more than three million Australians providing unpaid care, this is an important time to recognise the incredible contribution carers make every day.

Explore upcoming events and find out how you can get involved: https://carersweek.com.au/events/

Let’s make carers visible and celebrate the difference they make in our communities.

03/09/2026

Respite care is not a luxury. It’s essential.

The last independent national review of respite care was three decades ago, so Carers Australia and Dementia Australia have joined forces to call for a new review.

We know respite care is an important issue for Australia’s carers.

Too many carers are missing out on respite because services are:
• Difficult to access or unavailable locally
• Not always high-quality or appropriate
• Too expensive
• Subject to long waiting times

Respite is a critical support that helps carers rest, recharge, maintain their health and wellbeing, and continue in their caring role.

Without the right support, carers can reach burnout and crisis, with flow-on impacts for the people they care for, families, and our health and aged care systems.

We’re calling for an independent national review of respite care.

Read the full joint statement here:https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Dementia-Australia-and-Carers-Australia-A-Joint-Position-Statement-August-2026-Final.pdf

Read the media release here:https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DA-and-Carers-Australia-respite-review-media-release-FINAL.pdf

31/08/2026

Carers Australia continues to advocate for unpaid carers, including calling for a NDIS reforms impact assessment to set a formal benchmark so we can measure how these reforms will affect the caring community.

CEO Joanna Cave is continuing to raise unpaid carers concerns with government and in the media. She recently took part in an interview with the ABC.

Story:
Young people and families who care for parents and siblings receiving NDIS help say they're worried sick about looming changes.

They're calling on the Federal Government to carry out an impact assessment ahead of shifting responsibilities to the states and territories.

But the Government is pointing to national agreements reached over care delivery.

Read more:

Young people and families who care for parents and siblings receiving NDIS help say they're worried sick about looming changes. They're calling on the Federal Government to carry out an impact assessment ahead of shifting responsibilities to the states and territories. But the Government is pointing...

24/08/2026

What happens when you are caring for children while also supporting ageing parents?

ABC TV’s Compass explores this reality in Sandwiched with Sarah Macdonald, following broadcaster Sarah Macdonald as she navigates work, children and ageing parents.

The episode meets individuals who are balancing multiple caring responsibilities while facing the pressures of Australia’s housing and aged care challenges.

It is a story that will resonate with many carers who find themselves supporting family across generations.

Watch Sandwiched with Sarah Macdonald on ABC iview:

Compass explores the Australian soul- our beliefs, ethical dilemmas and social justice.

21/08/2026

Aged care is about providing essential support to older Australians, and they should not be left waiting for support they need.

ABC’s Four Corners: The Waiting Game looked at the new Support at Home program and highlighted the long waits for assessments and funding, and the impact these delays can have on older people, and their carers and families.

For carers, waiting isn’t just frustrating, it can mean taking on more caring for longer, with risks to their health and wellbeing.

We need an aged care system that delivers timely, appropriate support and recognises the vital role of carers.

Learn more about the investigation: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-17/the-waiting-game/107047564

Four Corners is the home of Australian investigative journalism.

19/08/2026

The passage of the NDIS Amendment Bill 2026 raises serious concerns about what happens if supports are reduced before alternative services are available.

For many carers, this could mean taking on more care, reducing paid work, losing vital respite and facing even greater pressure and risk of burnout.

Carers Australia supports a sustainable NDIS, but sustainability shouldn’t come at the expense of people with disability or the carers who support them.

CEO Joanna Cave said Carers Australia will continue to push for an impact assessment of the changes on people with disability and their carers.

Read our full media release here:https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/19Augf2026_NDIS-passes_FINAL_.pdf

18/08/2026

In Australia, 54.1% of young carers say they've missed out on parts of their childhood because of their caring responsibilities.

These young people are supporting family members while navigating school, friendships and their own futures. They deserve recognition, understanding and support.

If you're a young carer, or know someone who is, support is available. Visit youngcarersnetwork.com.au to access resources, information and connections with other young carers.

Source: Carer Wellbeing Survey 2025 Report (Carers Australia)

12/08/2026

Australia's more than 3 million unpaid carers are the backbone of support for people with disability, contributing an estimated $80 billion in unpaid care every year.

Carers Australia recently appeared before the Senate inquiry into the NDIS Amendment Bill 2026, where CEO Joanna Cave and carer Clare Waiss gave evidence on the impact the proposed reforms could have on unpaid carers and their families.

Clare shared the reality of caring for her son Felix, reminding the committee that "every decision made in Canberra eventually lands somewhere very ordinary. It lands on kitchen tables just like mine."

While Carers Australia supports measures to strengthen the integrity and sustainability of the NDIS, reforms must not unintentionally increase caring responsibilities, reduce workforce participation, or shift additional costs onto families.

Read the full media release here: https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/media-release/impacts-on-unpaid-carers-not-considered-in-ndis-changes/

11/08/2026

Caring happens every day. Today, it can be counted.

Many people think a carer is someone employed in aged care or disability services.

But if you provide unpaid care, help or assistance to a family member or friend because of disability, a long-term health condition, mental illness, terminal illness, alcohol or other drug issues, or age-related needs, you're a carer.

Caring can include helping with everyday tasks, personal care, transport, medications, appointments or simply providing emotional support.

There are more than 3 million carers across Australia, and every caring role deserves to be recognised.

Today, on Census Day, the Australian Bureau of Statistics is asking about unpaid caring responsibilities to help ensure carers are seen, recognised and counted.

Carers receiving Carer Allowance or Carer Payment should also select “yes, provided unpaid care, help or assistance”.

Learn more at abs.gov.au/census and share this post to help others recognise they may be carers too.

06/08/2026

Have you ever said...

💬 "I'm just helping Mum."
💬 "It's only a few hours a week."
💬 "Anyone would do the same."

You may be a carer.

Across Australia, millions of people quietly provide unpaid care to someone they love. They organise appointments, manage medications, provide transport, help with personal care and offer emotional support.

This Census, the Australian Bureau of Statistics is asking about unpaid caring responsibilities to help ensure carers are seen, recognised and counted.

Carers receiving Carer Allowance or Carer Payment should also select “yes, provided unpaid care, help or assistance”.

Learn more at abs.gov.au/census and share this post to help others recognise they may be carers too.