"We need to recognise unpaid carers in terms of their contribution to maintaining care of others, relieving stress on health care and social welfare system, and building the community."
Carers are a vital part of the fabric of our Canberra community. There are around 48,000 carers in Canberra. These people provide unpaid care to family members, friends, or neighbours. The people they care for may be living with disability, a physical or mental health condition, or are frail aged. Some carers provide care to children and young people who are unable to live with their families.
The ACT Carers Strategy 2018-2028 (the Strategy) establishes a strong vision for carers in the ACT:
A community that cares for carers and the people they care for.
Supporting carers is investing in Canberra’s future.
The first Action Plan to guide progress under the Carers Strategy established 5 themes:
- services and supports,
- recognition and awareness,
- inclusion,
- young carers, and
- workforce and skills recognition.
While the first Action Plan is now complete, these areas of focus continue to drive planning and implementation of progress under the Strategy. The final report for the first Action Plan can be found here: ACT Carers Strategy 2018-2028: Final Report First Action Plan December 2021 [PDF 2.6MB].
The 2022-23 ACT Budget included additional funding to enable Carers ACT to lead the Strategy’s implementation. Carers ACT will develop agile Action Plans to guide future efforts under the Carers Strategy, with short and longer-term Action Plans that align with priorities and outcomes established under the Carers Strategy. Carers will be central in determining actions and how these are progressed, and Carers ACT will continue to engage with the ACT Government on proposed actions.
The ACT Government is committed to supporting and recognising the work of carers. This includes acknowledging the difference carers make in our community and responding to key challenges they may experience. Through data that measures carer wellbeing, we can realise our vision of a community that cares for carers and the people they care for.
