There are currently three million unpaid carers in Australia. They provide an estimated 2.2 billion hours of unpaid care per year supporting those in need.
With the 2023 Carer Wellbeing Survey highlighting how carers continue to be at high risk of poor wellbeing and health, having easy access to support for managing this is essential.
On Tuesday 10 December 2024, the Australian Government and Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth (who has since added the NDIS to her portfolio), unveiled a new 10-year National Carer Strategy to deliver more support to carers.
The Benevolent Society is the Carer Gateway service provider for metropolitan Sydney (excluding South-western Sydney and Nepean).
Ryan Woodward, Director, Ageing, Carers and National Support Centre at The Benevolent Society, attended the launch of this strategy alongside other members of The Benevolent’s Society Carer Gateway team and other organisations supporting Australian carers including Carers SA, Wellways Australia, and Merri Health.
Support through Carer Gateway
Carer Gateway is the Australian Government’s national carer hub. It provides support and advice for carers of all ages, including young carers (under the age of 25).
It offers a range of services and support for carers that help prevent burnout and fatigue, including peer support workshops and activities, tailored support packages, counselling, coaching, online skills courses, access to emergency respite.
Pictured above: Ryan Woodward alongside other carer support organisations with Minister Rishworth
New National Carer Strategy
Key parts of the new National Carer Strategy announced by the government include increasing the number of phone counselling sessions accessible through Carer Gateway by an additional 10,000 sessions per year. This will support 1,600 additional carers each year.
“Carers often balance responsibilities and commitments alongside the support they deliver to loved ones. Burnout, fatigue and poor wellbeing are issues that carers may face. This is especially true when the lines between personal time and time spent as carers blur. Providing access to the right support is key to addressing this,” said Ryan.
“The new National Carer Strategy is an important step to delivering this support for carers.”
The strategy will also extend the hours for the Carer Gateway support service, so carers can seek support at times that are more flexible to their needs. Part of the strategy will also identify appropriate and culturally safe in-person and online training that will be provided via Carer Gateway to support unpaid carers build the knowledge and skills they need to fulfil their caring role.
“The skillset carers need to continue carrying out their duties can change quickly if their circumstances change. They may need to learn first aid skills like wound care, medication management, and how to operate devices that help with the mobility of those they care for,” said Ryan.
“It’s very encouraging to see the new strategy commit to opening opportunities for this training and provide additional information on relevant skills pathways for carers. We’re looking forward to seeing how this is formalised, and any ways that Carer Gateway can be part of this support.”
For more information on The Benevolent Society’s Carer Gateway program, call 1800 422 737 or click here.