1. Introduction

Content warning

1.1This report, and the evidence it is based on, includes material that can be confronting and disturbing. Sometimes words can cause sadness, distress or can trigger traumatic memories for people. For some people, these responses can be overwhelming. If you need to talk to someone, the following services are available:

• Mental Health Carer Helpline - 1300 554 660
• Lifeline - 131 114
• Beyondblue - 1300 224 636.

Background

1.2At least one in every ten Australians, or around 2.65 million people in 2018, provides unpaid or informal care for someone with a disability, medical condition, mental illness or who is frail because of their age. Around 861,000 Australians in 2018 were primary carers, which means they provided the most informal assistance to another person with core activities such as mobility, self-care and communication.[1]

1.3In Australia, informal, unpaid carers are treated differently from formal, paid carers, even though the support they provide can be similarly ongoing and can involve the same activities and intensity of care. Often, unpaid carers take on caring roles because of a lack of available, accessible, and affordable formal care, and do so with limited access to supports including respite.[2] This inquiry focused on the needs of unpaidcarers, and references to ‘carers’ in this report should be taken to mean informal, unpaid carers unless otherwise specified.

1.4Australian carers provide 2.2 billion hours of unpaid care each year. If these hours were provided as paid formal care, this care would have a value of $77.9 billion peryear. The demand for unpaid care is expected to grow by 23 per cent between 2020and 2030 as Australia’s population changes.[3] However, the growth in the number of carers taking on a caring role is not expected to keep pace (16percent), leading to an increasing ‘carer gap’ in the future.[4] This has implications for the sustainability of care provision.[5]

Diversity of carers

1.5Carers have diverse stories about the impact caring has on them and the people they care for. A carer’s experience of caring is shaped by their broader social, economic and cultural context, and their care relationships, including the needs and expectations of the person or people they care for. A carer’s experience of caring is also shaped by the support they receive and their interactions with service providers.

1.6Carers can be grandparents, parents, partners, children, siblings, kin, foster carers, friends and neighbours. Most provide care out of love or a sense of duty or believe they can provide better care for the person needing assistance than anyone else can. Some provide care for a single person, while others provide care to several people. Some have other people who share the caring load, while others provide care on their own. Some provide short-term care, while some will look after the needs of others for many years, such as when a person requires care until the end of their life.[6]

1.7Far more women than men provide unpaid care. In 2018, 71.8 per cent of primary carers were women. Furthermore, women are more likely than men to report a lack of choice about becoming a carer.[7] Women’s caring roles contribute to about onethird of the gender pay gap and can have lifelong impacts on their financial security and risk of poverty and homelessness.[8] Women retire with 23.1 per cent less superannuation than men of the same age.[9]

1.8In 2018, there were more than 1.2 million men who are carers.[10] Men are more likely to take on a caring role later in life, with men over 75 years being the only age group where there are more male carers than women.[11]

1.9More than one third (37.4 per cent) of primary carers have disability. In 2018, this was twice the rate of non-carers (15.3 per cent).[12]

1.10Carers can be any age. In 2018, there were 235,000 young carers aged 12 to 25 years and almost 230,000 carers aged over 65 years.[13]

1.11Many people who provide care, including young people, First Nations carers and carers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, may not recognise the term ‘carer’ or identify themselves as carers. This can be a barrier to seeking support.[14] The prevalence of ‘hidden carers’ means that current data collection about carers may underestimate the number of carers, which can impact policy and funding decisions.[15] In 2021, of the people who required assistance with core activities, more than 355,000 (24.5percent) spoke a language other than English at home.[16]

1.12Nearly a third (31 per cent) of all carers live in regional, rural and remote areas and have more difficulty accessing services for themselves or those they care for than Australians who live in major cities.[17]

1.13There is limited data on carers who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual and other sexually or gender diverse identities (LGBTIQA+). However, there is evidence to suggest LGBTIQA+ carers have higher levels of psychological distress and lower health satisfaction, and experience additional challenges to other carers.[18]

Consequences of caring

1.14Caring roles can be meaningful and rewarding, but also demanding, exhausting, frustrating, and isolating.[24] While carers do not want the people they care for to think of themselves as burdens, caring comes at a cost to the carer and affects all aspects of their life. This includes their employment, superannuation and overall financial position, their physical and emotional wellbeing, and their social relationships.

1.15It can be difficult for carers to find a job or maintain their employment because of the demands of their caring role. In 2018, only 28.6percent of primary carers providing more than 40 hours of care per week were employed. By contrast, 52.8 per cent of carers providing less than 20 hours of care per week were employed.[25]

1.16Primary carers are twice more likely to live in households that have low income. In2018, the rate of primary carers living in a household with low income was 50.2percent, compared to 25.8 per cent of non-carers.[26]

1.17Research commissioned by Carers Australia estimated that a primary carer’s superannuation balance is reduced by $17,700 for every year they provide care.[27] The modelling found that a quarter of primary carers will have their lifetime earnings reduced by more than $497,500 and a real reduction in their superannuation balance at age 67 of more than $216,000.[28]

1.18Carers are more than twice as likely as other Australians to have low wellbeing, high levels of psychological distress and an increased risk of suicidality.[29] In 2022, carers were twice more likely to report low wellbeing (55.2 per cent) compared to other Australians (25.4 per cent).[30]

1.19In 2022, the Carer Wellbeing Survey[31] found that nearly half (48 per cent) of carers surveyed reported experiencing moderate to high levels of psychological distress and 39.4percent said they were often or always lonely.[32] Only 17.1 per cent of carers reported having very good or excellent health, compared with 47.9 per cent of other Australians.[33]

1.20Most carers receive little support from family and friends. In 2022, 28percent of carers had no access to support from friends and family if, for example, they fell ill or needed a break, while more than half (52 per cent) said they could organise help, but it would be difficult.[34]

Carer Recognition Act 2010

1.21In 2009, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth reported on its inquiry into improving support for carers. It acknowledged the ‘weight of evidence urging an improvement in carer recognition and carer rights through specific carer recognition legislation and associated policy.’[35] The Committee made 50recommendations aimed at improving outcomes for carers, including that the Australian Government develop, with the states and territories, a nationally consistent carer recognition framework, comprising of:

• national carer recognition legislation, which complements state and territory carer legislation
• a national carer strategy that builds on and complements state and territory carer policies.[36]
  22. The Australian Government agreed with many of the Committee’s recommendations and the Carer Recognition Bill 2010 (the Bill) was introduced to Parliament in September 2010.
  23. In her second reading speech, then Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services, theHon.JulieCollins MP, said that the Bill ‘formally acknowledges the vital contribution that carers make to Australian society and complements carer recognition legislation already in place in some states and territories.’[37] TheHon.JulieCollins MP added that implementation of the Bill will ‘drive increased awareness and understanding of the role and contribution of carers as well as a much-needed cultural and attitudinal shift so that carers’ interests are taken into account by public service agencies and service providers.’[38]
  24. Other contributions to the debate on the Bill raised concerns that the recognition for carers provided by the Bill was purely symbolic.[39] For example, SenatortheHon.Mitch Fifield said:

Yes, we are all in heated agreement that carers deserve recognition, but let us not pretend that this piece of legislation conveys or confers any new rights on carers despite what the act says at its opening, because later in the act it makes it clear that it does no such thing.[40]

1.25The Bill passed both Houses on 28 October 2010 and the CarerRecognition Act 2010 (the Act) commenced on 18November 2010.

1.26The object of the Actis to ‘increase recognition and awareness of carers and to acknowledge the valuable contribution they make to society’.[41]

Definition of carer

1.27The Act defines a ‘carer’ as an individual who provides personal care, support and assistance to another individual because the other individual either:

• has a disability; or
• has a medical condition, including terminal or chronic illness; or
• has a mental illness; or
• is frail and aged.[42]
  28. The Act excludes certain individuals from the definition of ‘carer,’ including individuals providing care, support or assistance:
• under a contract of service or a contract for the provision of a service; or
• in the course of doing voluntary work for a charitable welfare or community organisation; or
• as part of the requirements of a course or education or training.[43]
  29. The Act includes the clarification that an individual is not a carer merely because they:
• are the spouse, de facto partner, parent, child or other relative of an individual, or is the guardian of an individual; or
• live with an individual who requires care.[44]

Statement for Australia’s Carers

1.30Part 2, Schedule 1 of the Act sets out a ‘Statement for Australia’s Carers’ (the Statement):

1All carers should have the same rights, choices and opportunities as other Australians, regardless of age, race, sex, disability, sexuality, religious or political beliefs, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage, cultural or linguistic differences, socioeconomic status or locality.

2Children and young people who are carers should have the same rights as all children and young people and should be supported to reach their full potential.

3The valuable social and economic contribution that carers make to society should be recognised and supported.

4Carers should be supported to enjoy optimum health and social wellbeing and to participate in family, social and community life.

5Carers should be acknowledged as individuals with their own needs within and beyond the caring role.

6The relationship between carers and the persons for whom they care should be recognised and respected.

7Carers should be considered as partners with other care providers in the provision of care, acknowledging the unique knowledge and experience of carers.

8Carers should be treated with dignity and respect.

9Carers should be supported to achieve greater economic wellbeing and sustainability and, where appropriate, should have opportunities to participate in employment and education.

10Support for carers should be timely, responsive, appropriate and accessible.[45]

Obligations

1.31The Act:

• Places obligations on public service agencies and associated providers to ensure employees and agents are aware of and understand the Statement and ensure internal human resources policies have regard to the Statement (Part 3, section7).
• Obliges each ‘public service care agency’[46] to:

• Take all practicable measures to ensure that it, and its employees and agents, take action to reflect the principles of the Statement in developing, implementing, providing or evaluating care supports.
• Consult carers, or bodies that represent carers, when developing or evaluating care supports.
• Prepare a report on its compliance with section 7 of the Act in each reporting period. The report must be included in the agency’s annual report for the reporting period (Part 3, section 8).

• Obliges ‘associated providers’, that is, individuals and organisations who have a contract, subcontract or funding arrangement with public service care agencies, to take all practicable measures to ensure that officers, employees and agents:

• have an awareness and understanding of the Statement
• take action to reflect the principles of the Statement while developing, implementing, providing or evaluating care supports (Part 3, section 9).

Limitations

1.32The Act (Part 4, section 10) expressly states limits on the enforceability of the obligations set out in Part 3:

• The Act does not create rights or duties that are legally enforceable in judicial or other proceedings.
• A failure to comply with the Act does not affect the validity of any decision and is not a ground for the review or challenge of any decision.
• If a public service agency, or an associated provider, is required by another law of the Commonwealth, or by a law of a State or Territory, to consider particular matters, or to comply with particular requirements, in the exercise of its functions or powers, nothing in the Act is to be taken to require the agency, or the associated provider, to act inconsistently with that law.
  33. Furthermore, the Act is not intended to apply to the exclusion of any law of a State or Territory that establishes a Carers Charter (however described), or that otherwise provides for the recognition of carers (Part 4, section 11).
  34. Prior to the Bill passing Parliament, the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills drew attention to the apparent contradiction of imposing obligations while prohibiting legal enforceability of those obligations:

Although the legislation imposes ‘obligations’ on public service agencies and associated care providers (sections 7-9), the Act does not create legally enforceable rights or duties. Subsection 10(2) states that failure to comply with the Act does not affect the validity of any decision and is not a ground on which such a decision may be challenged.

This provision is likely to remove any realistic prospect of applying for the main types of remedies available in judicial review proceedings. Nonetheless, this is consistent with the purposes of the legislation and the scheme is premised on the lack of enforceable legal rights or obligations.[47]

1.35Nevertheless, the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills concluded that, ‘in the circumstances, the Committee makes no further comment on this provision.’[48]

Policy context

1.36The Department of Social Services (DSS) is responsible for Australian Government carer payments, policy and legislation. DSS and Services Australia administer the Carer Payment and the Carer Allowance.

• Carer Payment is an income support payment to assist carers who are unable to support themselves through paid employment due to the care they provide:

• Carers can cease providing care for up to 25 hours a week to participate in employment while remaining qualified for Carer Payment.
• Carers have 63 ‘respite’ days each calendar year where they may take a break from caring without impacting their Carer Payment.

• Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment for carers who provide a level of daily care and attention for people who need significant additional care.[49]
  37. In December 2022, 628,805 carers were receiving Carer Allowance and 303,520 were receiving Carer Payment. Of these, 277,195 were receiving both payments.[50]
  38. Carers Australia delivers the Young Carer Bursary Program on behalf of the Australian Government, which aims to assist young carers financially to reduce the need to undertake part-time work whilst studying and managing caring responsibilities. In April 2023, the program increased the number of bursaries available to around 1,600 each year and raised the annual bursary amount from $3,000 to $3,768.[51]
  39. The states and territories have their own carer policies and carer recognition legislation, which vary considerably.[52]

National Carer Strategy

1.40In 2011, a ten-year National Carer Strategy (2011 Strategy) was launched to give effect to the Act and to complement the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020.[53] The 2011 Strategy represented the Australian Government’s ‘recognition of the invaluable contribution of carers to the Australian community.’[54] The 2011 Strategy outlined how this contribution can be valued, supported and shared through six priority areas for action:

• recognition and respect
• information and access
• economic security
• services for carers
• education and training
• health and wellbeing.[55]
  41. The states and territories committed to identifying strategies and activities that complemented the 2011 Strategy.[56]
  42. The 2011 Strategy was replaced in 2015 by the Integrated Plan for Carer Support Services. DSS is currently progressing work to inform a new national carer strategy.[57]

Carer Gateway

1.43The Integrated Carer Support Service model is known as Carer Gateway.[58] Carer Gateway provides a single point of contact for a range of free in-person, online and phone-based support and services to unpaid carers. Each region in Australia has a Carer Gateway service provider who will either provide services to support carers directly or will organise support through another organisation.[59]

1.44Carer Gateway is currently being evaluated for its appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency, and the evaluation report is expected in late 2023.[60]

National Disability Insurance Scheme

1.45The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding to support eligible people with disability. The National Disability Insurance Agency can fund short term accommodation, including respite, when a participant needs to live out of home for a short break. However, this is subject to a ‘reasonable and necessary’ test.[61]

1.46The National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 was amended in 2022 to include stronger recognition of the role of carers and the relationship they have with the people with disability who they care for.[62]

1.47The design, operations and sustainability of the NDIS have been reviewed and a final report was released in December 2023. The report makes 26 recommendations with 139 corresponding actions.[63]

Recent reviews

Senate Select Committee on Work and Care

1.48The Senate Select Committee on Work and Care (Select Committee) inquired into the impact that combining work and care responsibilities has on the wellbeing of workers, carers, and those that they care for. While the inquiry examined aspects of care, much of its work involved matters beyond the scope of this inquiry, including the role, remuneration, and working conditions of paid carers[64], and issues relating to the care of children.[65] The Select Committee tabled an interim report in October 2022[66] and a final report in March 2023.[67]

1.49The key recommendation of the Select Committee was that the Australian Government should take a comprehensive and integrated approach to addressing the challenges of work and care across a range of systems, including workplace relations, early childhood education and care, paid leave, disability and aged care, and financial supports for carers. The Select Committee said:

This reform package should ensure that Australians have a right to care, alongside their right to work, and our systems and laws should provide unequivocal support for this important role through a new work and care social contract fit for the 21stcentury.[68]

1.50The Select Committee made several other recommendations relevant to this inquiry, including:

• strengthening carer leave arrangements in the Fair Work Act 2009
• reviewing the level of Carers Payment and Carers Allowance, in acknowledgement of the significant social and economic contribution that carers make
• abolishing the Child Care Subsidy activity test and consider abolishing all activity tests for all income support payments, noting their impact on workforce participation, particularly for women
• the inclusion of new questions in the Census and/or new regular surveys to determine the extent, nature and effects of the interaction of work and care responsibilities across Australia
• the inclusion of a statement in the employment white paper that gives an estimate of the annual financial contribution of unpaid care to the national economy and consider including a similar statement in the Budget papers[69]
• developing a mental health support program tailored to carers aged 25 years and under
• developing and implementing programs and initiatives for carers from migrant and CALD backgrounds to improve access to carer support services and family support.[70]
  51. The Australian Government is currently considering the Select Committee’s recommendations.

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

1.52The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety reported in March 2021 and made 148 recommendations, including establishing a new Aged Care Act. The new Act would include supports, including respite for unpaid carers of people receiving aged care, in its definition of aged care.[71] The Royal Commission also recommended that:

• the Australian Government fund the engagement of a workforce of personal advisers to older people, their families and carers, called ‘care finders’ to assist older people seeking aged care services with information about the aged care system and case management services
• there be a single, comprehensive assessment process for older people needing aged care that includes an assessment of unpaid carers’ needs
• unpaid carers of older people have access to up to 63 days of high-quality respite per calendar year
• My Aged Care and Carer Gateway should be linked to provide a single system for accessing respite care and information, training and other support services
• a community-based Carers’ Hub network should be established.[72]
  53. The Australian Government responded to the Royal Commission’s report in May2021, and accepted many of its recommendations.[73]

Productivity Commission Carer Leave inquiry

1.54In February 2022, the Productivity Commission announced it would examine the economic and social impacts of allowing informal carers to take extended unpaid leave from their work to care for older people who are frail and living at home. This inquiry was established in response to one of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

1.55The final report was released in September 2023. The Productivity Commission recommended a model that provides between one and 12 months of unpaid carers’ leave. This leave would be available to all employees who have worked for at least 12 months for their current employer, including regular casuals.[74]

1.56The Australian Government has not yet responded to the Productivity Commission’s report.

National Strategy for the Care and Support Economy

1.57In May 2023, the draft National Care and Support Economy Strategy was released for consultation. The draft strategy focuses on paid care and support services in aged care, disability care and support, veteran’s care and early childhood education and care. The strategy’s vision is for a sustainable and productive care and support economy that delivers quality care and support with decent jobs.[75]

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

1.58The report of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability was tabled inSeptember2023. The Royal Commission drew on the experiences of people with disability, their families and carers in making 222recommendations, which seek to strengthen the rights of Australians with disability.

1.59The Royal Commission recommended establishing:

• a Disability Rights Act, which would require Australian Government entities to consult with people with disability, and their families and carers, in developing and evaluating policies, laws, programs and new initiatives that affect people with disability and their carers
• a Minister for Disability Inclusion to be responsible for a disability inclusion strategy, and policies and programs that are currently the responsibility of the Minister for Social Services
• a Department of Disability Equality and Inclusion, responsible for national disability and carers policies and programs that are currently the responsibility of DSS
• a National Disability Commission that partners with people with disability, and their families and carers, to develop advice and key reports.[76]
  60. Other recommendations aim to improve disability rights and the right of families and carers to be consulted, informed and involved in making decisions in areas of state and territory responsibility, such as schools.[77]
  61. The Australian Government has not yet responded to the Royal Commission’s recommendations.

Scope and conduct of the inquiry

1.62The Committee adopted an inquiry into the recognition of unpaid carers on 13June2023, following a referral from the Minister for Social Services, theHon.Amanda Rishworth MP.

1.63The terms of reference for the inquiry are provided in the front pages of this report and are available on the inquiry webpage at www.aph.gov.au/UnpaidCarers.

1.64The adequacy of payments for carers is out of scope for this inquiry. The Australian Government is currently considering the recommendations of the Senate Select Committee on Work and Care relating to this issue.

1.65The Committee called for written submissions, ideally of no more than ten pages, from individuals and organisations relating to any or all of the inquiry terms of reference by Friday, 11 August 2023.

1.66The Committee received 143 submissions and five exhibits and held eight public hearings. The list of submissions is provided in Appendix A. The list of public hearings and witnesses is provided in Appendix B. The list of exhibits is provided at Appendix C.

1.67This inquiry has been strongly informed by the lived experiences of carers and the Committee is particularly grateful for the courage of those who came forward to tell their stories. The Committee wishes to thank all the individuals and organisations who contributed their time, experience, and expertise in making submissions and appearing at public hearings.

Report structure

1.68Recognition is the first fundamental need of carers and is the foundation on which the provision of better supports for carers can be built. Chapter two considers what reforms are needed in the Act and its associated Statement to better recognise and support carers and the diversity of caring roles.

1.69Chapter three considers developments in the policy landscape since the Act was established and what reforms are needed to better recognise and support carers. The chapter examines the 2011 strategy, current supports provided to carers through Carer Gateway, and evidence about what a new national carer strategy should include.

Footnotes

[1]Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2018, www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release, viewed 3 August 2023.

[2]Carers Australia, Submission 111, page 29.

[3]Department of Social Services (DSS), Submission 70, page 6.

[4]Carers Australia, Submission 111, page 12.

[5]Carers Australia, Submission 111, page 12; Kiind, Submission 51, page 5; Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, Submission 137, pages 7 and 11.

[6]Carers Australia, Submission 111, pages 5-6.

[7]Carers Australia, Submission 111, page 7.

[8]Chief Executive Women, Submission 134, page 2. See also: Kiind, Submission 51, page 5; GenWest, Submission 65, page 5.

[9]Chief Executive Women, Submission 134, page 2.

[10]Carers Australia, Submission 111, page 7.

[11]ABS, Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2018, www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release, viewed 3 August 2023.

[12]ABS, Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2018, www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release, viewed 3 August 2023.

[13]ABS, Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2018, www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release, viewed 3 August 2023.

[14]Carers ACT, Submission 58, page 3; Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria, Submission 99, page 3; Carers Australia, Submission 111, page 7.

[15]Carers Australia, Submission 111, page 7; Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association, Submission 8, page 14.

[16]Carers Australia, Submission 111, page 7.

[17]Carers Australia, Submission 111, page 6.

[18]Carers Australia, Submission 111, page 8.

[19]Ms Alyssa Weirman, Committee Hansard, 4 October 2023, pages 12-13.

[20]Name Withheld, Submission 143, pages 3-4.

[21]Name Withheld, Submission 47, page 1.

[22]Belinda, Committee Hansard, 4 October 2023, page 15.

[23]Ms Jacqueline de Mamiel, Young Carer Participant, Little Dreamers Australia, Committee Hansard, 4 October 2023, page 2.

[24]MS Australia, Submission 91, page 3; Name Withheld, Submission 47, page 1; Mr Colin Allchurch, Submission 30, page 1; Autism Awareness Australia, Submission 44, page 2; Carers Australia, Submission111, page 9; Name Withheld, Submission 6, page 4; Mr Kyle Hayes, Submission 100, page 2.

[25]ABS, Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2018, www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release, viewed 3 August 2023.

[26]ABS, Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2018, www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release, viewed 3 August 2023.

[27]Carers Victoria, Submission 109, page 1; Carers ACT, Submission 58, page 8.

[28]Carers Australia, Submission111, page 15.

[29]Suicide Prevention Australia, Submission 22, page 2.

[30]DSS, Submission 70, page 7.

[31]The Carer Wellbeing Survey is a collaboration between Carers Australia and the University of Canberra and is funded by DSS.

[32]Carers Australia, Submission111, page 11.

[33]Carers Australia, Submission111, page 11.

[34]Carers Australia, Submission111, page 11.

[35]House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth, Who Cares...?: Report on the inquiry into Better Support for Carers, May 2009, page 64.

[36]House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth, Who Cares...?: Report on the inquiry into Better Support for Carers, May 2009, page 65.

[37]The Hon. Julie Collins MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 29 September 2010, page 114.

[38]The Hon. Julie Collins MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 29 September 2010, page 114.

[39]The Hon. Mr Kevin Andrews MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 October 2010, page 1192; Senatorthe Hon Mitch Fifield, House of Representatives Hansard, 28 October 2010, page 1043.

[40]Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield, House of Representatives Hansard, 28 October 2010, page 1043.

[41]Carer Recognition Act 2010, Part 1.

[42]Carer Recognition Act 2010, subsection 5(1).

[43]Carer Recognition Act 2010, subsection 5(2).

[44]Carer Recognition Act 2010, subsection 5(3).

[45]Carer Recognition Act 2010, Part 2, Schedule 1.

[46]Public service care agencies are defined by Act as those agencies responsible for the development, implementation, provision or evaluation of care supports. It is up to public service agencies to determine whether they are a public service care agency for the purpose of the Act.

[47]Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, Alert Digest, No. 5 of 2010, 12 May 2010, page 15.

[48]Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, Alert Digest, No. 5 of 2010, 12 May 2010, page 15.

[49]DSS, Submission 70, pages 7-8.

[50]DSS, Submission 70, page 7.

[51]DSS, Submission 70, page 9.

[52]Carers Australia, Submission 111, pages 18-21.

[53]Australia’s Disability Strategy was updated in 2021.

[54]FaHCSIA, National Carer Strategy, 2011, page 7.

[55]FaHCSIA, National Carer Strategy, 2011, page 7.

[56]FaHCSIA, National Carer Strategy, 2011, page 8.

[57]DSS, Submission 70, page 10.

[58]DSS, Disability and Carers, ‘Integrated Carer Support Service’, www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers-carers/integrated-carer-support-service-model, viewed 12 September 2023.

[59]DSS, Carer Gateway, ‘Services and support’, www.carergateway.gov.au/services-and-support, viewed 14September 2023.

[60]DSS, Submission 70, page 9.

[61]DSS, Submission 70, page 10.

[62]DSS, Submission 70, page 10.

[63]Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Working together to deliver the NDIS: Independent Review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Final Report, December 2023.

[64]Senate Select Committee on Work and Care, Interim Report, October 2022, Chapter 3.

[65]Senate Select Committee on Work and Care, Interim Report, October 2022, pages 54-61.

[66]Senate Select Committee on Work and Care, Interim Report, October 2022.

[67]Senate Select Committee on Work and Care, Final Report, March 2023.

[68]Senate Select Committee on Work and Care, Final Report, March 2023, page 170.

[69]The 2023 employment white paper includes information about the contribution of caring responsibilities and career interruptions to the gender pay gap and estimates the total replacement value of ‘unpaid care work’ in 2020-21 was $165.1 billion. While the term ‘unpaid care work’ is not defined in the white paper, the data source is the ABS Time Use Survey, which includes child care activities. The Treasury, Working Future: The Australian Government’s Employment White Paper on Jobs and Opportunities, September 2023, page 65. See also: ABS, How Australians Use Their Time, 2020-21, www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/how-australians-use-their-time/2020-21, viewed 16 November 2023.

[70]Senate Select Committee on Work and Care, Final Report, March 2023, pages 104, 171, 178-179, 184-185, 195.

[71]Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, Final Report, Volume 1, page 205.

[72]Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, Final Report, Volume 1, pages 228, 231, 237-239

[73]Department of Health and Aged Care, Australian Government response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, May 2021.

[74]Productivity Commission, A case for an extended unpaid carer leave entitlement? Inquiry report, September2023, pages 1-2.

[75]DSS, Submission 70, page 11.

[76]Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, Final Report, Executive Summary, September 2023, pages 177, 197-198, 211-213.

[77]Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, Final Report, Executive Summary, September 2023, pages 240-243.