Public consultation begins this week as part of National Carers Week and carers are being asked to have their say.
Human Services Minister Nat Cook says the Act acknowledges the valuable role of carers in the community and guides government agencies in their interactions with them.
Across the state, more than 245,000 South Australians provide unpaid care and support services. The person requiring care may be living with a disability, mental health, a chronic or terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue, or are frail and ageing.
Carers can be partners, parents, children, friends, neighbours or colleagues who provide assistance with personal care, lifting, mobility, administering medication, banking, shopping or housework.
Led by the Department of Human Services (DHS), the review will assess if the
Act adequately recognises and supports carers in their roles.
Following consultation, responses will be used to inform recommendations to change the Act. DHS will then consider the recommendations and take appropriate action.
For more information and to have your say, visit yoursay.sa.gov.au/carers-recognition-act-review by 15 December 2023. Submissions can also be emailed to [email protected]
If you help care for someone, support is available for you too – visit dhs.sa.gov.au/how-we-help/carers or www.carerssa.com.au for details.
As put by Nat Cook
This review is to ensure people who take care of others in our community get the recognition they deserve. The role of a carer is in equal parts both rewarding and demanding and is interwoven in the health, disability, mental health and aged care sectors.
We want carers to have their voices heard during the consultation period and to be reminded of how important they are to our community.
It's important that carers and carer organisations have their say so we can better understand the needs and preferences of the SA carer community.
We also know that around 30,000 of our state's carers are under 25 years old, so we'd love to hear from as many young people as possible during the process.
As put by Carers SA CEO David Militz:
Carers SA welcomes the announcement of a review into the South Australian Carer Recognition Act 2005.
Carers play an integral part in the community and are the foundation of Australia's health, aged, disability, palliative, mental health and community care systems. The invaluable social and economic contribution that carers make to society should be recognised and supported.
The review of this important legislation provides the opportunity to update and amplify the rights of South Australian carers now and into the future. It is imperative that the carer voice continues to be heard and recognised as part of this process.
