Support for carers

Supporting carers is everybody’s business. While government has a significant role to play in supporting carers, their needs and interests, the broader community—including non-government organisations, business groups, individual businesses and individuals—can all also help improve carers’ lives and support their inclusion in the community at a local level.

Support is available for carers in Queensland. You can find out about:

• initiatives to support carers
• publication and resources.

Initiatives to support carers

The following initiatives have been introduced to support carers in their caring role:

• the Carers (Recognition) Act 2008 (Carers Act) (PDF) recognises the valuable contribution carers make to the people they care for and the social and economic benefit carers provide to the community. The Act sets out requirements for public authorities to recognise and support carers through services to carers and the people they care for, and also for employees of public authorities who undertake a caring role, specifically through:
  • the Carers Charter (PDF, 344 KB) Carers Charter (RTF, 12 KB), which contains 13 principles recognising the significant contribution carers make to the community
  • the establishment of the Queensland Carers Advisory Council, which advises the Minister on matters relating to carers and works to advance carers’ interests. The Council has 12 members: four carers, one of whom must be a grandparent carer; three carer association representatives; one member who represents grandparent carers; and four public servants.  A Council Communique (PDF, 134 KB) (RTF, 70 KB) is produced and available on the website following each meeting.
• The Carer Business Discount Card is a concession card that provides eligible carers with discounts on goods and services from participating businesses. This scheme is a partnership between the state government and businesses across Queensland.
• The Companion Card promotes fair ticketing for people with a disability who need significant assistance from a companion to attend activities and venues in their community. This card will enable people with a disability to have the same opportunities for participation and recreation as other community members.
• The Office for Carers is Queensland’s main government contact point for carers' issues. The Office actively engages with other government departments, non-government organisations and the community to raise awareness about carers and embed Carers Charter principles in government and community activity. It also provides secretariat support to the Queensland Carers Advisory Council.
• The Queensland Carer Action Plan 2011–2014 is another important mechanism to support carers. It builds on the report Review of the Queensland Carer Action Plan 2006-10 (PDF, 163 KB) (RTF, 336 KB). To order a printed copy of the Carer Action Plan, call the Office for Carers on 1800 177 120 (toll-free within Australia) or email: officeforcarers@disability.qld.gov.au.

For the first time, Australia has a National Carer Strategy—the second element of the Australian Government’s National Carer Recognition Framework. The priority areas in the Queensland Carer Action Plan 2011-14 align with the National Carer Strategy.