National Carer Strategy

Improving the lives of Australia’s unpaid carers

In October 2023, the Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP announced the development of a National Carer Strategy, designed to provide a coherent national agenda for Australia’s unpaid carers. 

The Strategy is being drafted in consultation with carers across Australia to ensure it reflects the diversity of carers and the challenges they face and that it appropriately supports carers’ wellbeing, as well as their economic and social participation. 

The Strategy will also recognise the immense contribution of Australia’s unpaid carers to the community and provide a framework for coordination of carer policy across Commonwealth portfolios including aged care, disability, veterans’ affairs and mental health. 

A National Carer Strategy Advisory Committee (the Advisory Committee) was formed in early 2024 through an open selection process, to support the development and implementation of the Strategy. The Advisory Committee is made up of 16 members, including carers with lived experience from diverse backgrounds as well as sector representatives including young carers, LGBTQIA+ carers, First Nations carers and, partners of veterans. 

Consultation and engagement

Throughout development of the Strategy, we have been hearing from a broad range of voices from across the community – carers, former carers, the carer support sector and the general public – through a range of consultation and engagement methods including in-person and online activities.  

Visit DSS Engage(Opens in a new tab/window) to view National Carer Strategy public consultations.