National Carers Week (13th – 19th October 2024)

National Carers Week is an opportunity to raise community awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.

Carers are people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged. Anyone can become a
carer, at any time.

The theme this year: ‘Millions of Reasons to Care’, aims to broaden the awareness of the 3 million Australians caring for their family members and friends. Carers represent a diverse range of cultures, ages, experiences and responsibilities, but all
of them balance the caring responsibilities with other responsibilities like work, study and their physical and mental health.

Please watch this quick video below that highlights the importance of the work that our unpaid carers do around the country.

If you or someone you know is a carer, you can get support from the following
services:

AbSec Carers
Call 1800 888 698 Aboriginal Carer Support.

Carer Gateway
Call 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm.

Carers Australia’s Carer Advisory Service
1800 242 636; Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays offers information,
support and counselling to carers; translation services are also available

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres
1800 052 222 during business hours or 1800 059 059 for emergency respite support
outside standard business hours can give you information and access to respite care

Department of Human Services
Financial assistance for carers & people with disability [132 717; Monday to Friday,
8am to 5pm]; call to find out more about whether you or the person you care for are
eligible for any financial assistance from the Department of Human Services

Wellways Helpline
[1300 111 500; Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm AEST, excluding public holidays] supports people experiencing mental health struggles, as well as their carers, family
and friends