First Nations carers provide vital support to family and community, yet many go unrecognised and have limited access to culturally safe services
Carers NSW is proud to launch its inaugural First Nations Carers Report during National Carers Week 2025, shining a spotlight on the significant contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers make to their families, communities and culture. Despite their vital role, First Nations carers have historically been underrepresented in research and policy and often face systemic barriers in accessing culturally safe services.
Drawing on three waves of data from the National Carer Survey (2020, 2022, and 2024), the Report provides a strong evidence base for understanding the experiences and needs of First Nations carers. It highlights three key priorities, recognition, self-determination, and culturally safe services, and sets out six recommendations to strengthen support and improve outcomes.
Key findings from the First Nations Carers Report include:
- Over 40% of First Nations carers were living on Country. Many spoke about connection to Country as being important for their general wellbeing. Even for carers who were not living on Country, this connection was reported as being equally important to their identity and wellbeing.
- Nearly half of First Nations carers reported feeling unrecognised by the community.
- 40% of First Nations carers said the mainstream services they access are not always culturally safe.
- Less than half of First Nations carers felt valued by service providers.
- Many First Nations carers provide more than 60 hours of care per week, with over 20% providing 24/7 care.
- Two-thirds of First Nations carers reported low or very low wellbeing, and more than 60% experienced high or very high psychological distress.
- Over 70% reported experiencing financial stress, with almost one in three experiencing multiple financial pressures.
Recommendations for supporting First Nations carers include:
- Greater recognition of the roles Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers play across NSW.
- Self-determination through genuine involvement in policy and program design.
- Delivery of culturally safe services by providers with cultural competency.
- Flexible, holistic services that reflect diverse caring circumstances and kinship systems.
- Improved social and emotional wellbeing supports that acknowledge cultural and spiritual factors.
- Accessible and culturally appropriate information on available supports and services.
Carers NSW CEO Elena Katrakis welcomed the release of the report, emphasising the importance of amplifying First Nations carers' voices:
"First Nations carers play a vital role in their families and communities, yet often their contributions go unrecognised. This Report is an important step in amplifying the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers and highlighting the urgent need for recognition, self-determination, and culturally safe services."
About the Report
The report First Nations Carers in the National Carer Survey is the most extensive Carers NSW publication dedicated to amplifying the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers to date, with survey data collected since 2020. In 2024, the National Carer Survey included a dedicated module for First Nations carers, exploring their economic and social needs, caring relationships, service experiences, and health and wellbeing.
The Report was informed by three waves of the National Carer Survey, in 2020, 2022 and 2024, conducted by Carers NSW with the support of State and Territory Carer Organisations and an expert reference committee of carers, service providers and academics. The Survey is funded by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
