Australians everywhere are raising their voices as part of a new initiative for Carers Week, in support of this country’s 2.7 million unpaid carers – that’s 1 in 8 Australians who are taking care of someone who cannot properly look after themselves.
Carers provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged.
Carers come from all walks of life: from kids under 10 to people well into their 80s and 90s. Most of us don’t realise it, but at some point in our lives, it’s likely that we will either be a carer or we will need a carer. If all the unpaid carers stopped providing their support, it would cost Australia well over $40 billion annually to fill the gap.
There are more than 494,000 unpaid carers in Queensland; 60,300 of them are young carers aged 15 to 24.
October 12th to 18th is Carers Week, and this year Australians are being encouraged to celebrate the extraordinary contribution carers make to our country by raising their voices and showing their support online. It’s a chance to let carers know they’re not alone: that we recognise the selfless work they do every day.
A not-for-profit organisation, Carers Australia is the peak carers’ body in Australia and works across all States and Territories to raise awareness and provide support, advice and opportunities that meet the needs of carers, regardless of their age, gender, circumstance or location. For more information on Carers Australia, contact Kath Caller at Carers Australia on 02 6122 9917
Carers Week Website
