Carers Benefit from Government’s New National Strategy

Australia's 2.6 million carers will receive improved recognition and support following the launch of the Gillard Government's National Carer Strategy.

The Strategy includes $60 million in new funding over the next four years.

New funding delivered under the National Carer Strategy includes:

• $42.6 million to extend automatic eligibility for the Carer Allowance (child) for around 2,200 carers of children with Type 1 Diabetes who are aged between 10 and 16 years.
• $10.3 million to continue the Carer Adjustment Payment, a one-off payment for families who, following a catastrophic event involving a child aged 0-6 years, need additional support to cater to the needs of their child.
• $2.9 million to improve access to the Carer Supplement for carers who are working when the Supplement is paid in July each year, which will help carers to maintain paid employment.
• $2.1 million to ensure fairer access to Bereavement Payment, which will provide some assistance to carers receiving Carer Allowance and an income support payment at the difficult time following the death of the person they are caring for.
• $1.6 million for a national and targeted campaign to raise awareness of the role of carers.

The new strategy was launched jointly with The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas.

The Government says the National Carer Strategy will help to ensure carers have the same rights, choices and opportunities as other Australians. It also aims to help build a society which genuinely values and respects carers.

The Strategy sets out how governments, business, health and community professionals and the wider community will work cooperatively together to achieve this vision. It is supported by the Australian Government and all State and Territory Governments.

This week, the Federal Government received the Productivity Commission's final report into a long-term disability care and support scheme and will consider the report.

The National Carer Strategy has been developed in consultation with carers, state and territory governments, service providers and peak organisations.

The peak body representing carers, Carers Australia has welcomed the release of the National Carer Strategy.

Carers Australia President, Tim Moore says the Strategy is evidence of the Government's long-term commitment to carers, who make an enormous contribution to the Australian community, often unseen and involving considerable personal commitment.

The National Carer Strategy can be found at http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/about/news/2011/Pages/carer_recognition_act_2010.aspx