What matters to unpaid carers in WA?
There are over 3 million carers in Australia, including over 320,000 in Western Australia.
A carer is someone providing unpaid support to a family member or friend who is frail due to age or is living with disability, physical or mental health challenges.
Caring is a significant form of unpaid work in the community, and integral to our aged, disability, health, mental health and palliative care systems.
To ensure Carers Count at the WA 2025 Election, in consultation with its membership, Carers WA has identified the five specific priorities which currently matter most to unpaid carers in WA:
- A new Carers Strategy. The WA Carers Strategy was created in 2016, prior to the introduction of key services such as Carer Gateway and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which vastly changed the landscape for carers. The demographic of carers, those they care for and the health conditions involved in this care, have shifted, resulting in increased demand for carer support. A new WA Carers Strategy will build on the work already undertaken as part of the National Carer Strategy.
- Establishment of a Carer Card in WA. An essential tool for carers to identify, validate and be supported in their role. The Carer Card would also ensure carers are formally identified and included in the ongoing health and medical needs of the person they are caring for.
- Grants for WA Carers. Annual recurring funding to help address the significant, negative impacts on employment, income, superannuation, lost wages, recognition, study and work time. A carer grant program would help support carer hardship and carer short breaks (respite).
- Increased Supports and Recognition for WA Carers. Annual recurring funding to increase Carers WA support for young carers and for regional carers who live with disproportionately low protective factors of social support and work-life balance. Increased support for these particular cohorts would mitigate the increased impact of their caring roles.
- Support for Navigating the Maze of Services. Establishment of an easy service navigation program. Carers often struggle in navigating the complex maze of services and some will give up due to the effort, frustration and exhaustion.
Richard Newman, CEO – Carers WA said “Everyone likely knows at least one of, or is one of, the 320,000 people who are in an unpaid carer role in WA. To ensure carers count at the 2025 WA State Election, Carers WA is asking political candidates, current members of parliament and all major parties how they plan to support carers and what are their election commitments. Carers WA urges, not only carers, but the wider community across WA, to share their endorsement of what matters to them, with their local member of parliament, to ensure the needs of carers are prioritised at the 2025 WA State Election.”
For more information on the Carers WA five specific priorities and to share your endorsement, support and comments, directly to your local member of parliament, visit:
