Carers - overview
Carers play a vital role in sustaining Australia's current system of community-based person-centred care.
The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) provides income support, income supplement payments and other forms of assistance to support carers of people with disability or a severe medical condition, or who are frail aged.
What's new
Inquiry into better support for carers
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth will conduct an inquiry into how to better support the needs of carers who look after those with disability, severe medical condition or frailty. To gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by carers the committee will inquire into and report on:- the role and contribution of carers in society and how this should be recognised
- the barriers to social and economic participation for carers, with a particular focus on helping carers to find and/or retain employment
- the practical measures required to better support carers, including key priorities for action, and
- strategies to assist carers access the same range of opportunities and choices as the wider community, including strategies to increase the capacity for carers to make choices within their caring roles, transition into and out of caring, and effectively plan for their future.
The inquiry will report in early 2009 and submissions to the inquiry addressing the terms of reference are due on 4 July 2008.
Inquiry into Special Disability Trusts
On 15 May 2008 the Senate Community Affairs Committee referred matters relating to Special Disability Trusts to the Community Affairs Committee. The report is due by 18 September 2008:The terms of reference for the inquiry are:
- why more families of dependents with disabilities are not making use of the current provisions to establish Special Disability Trusts
- the effectiveness of Part 3.18A of the Social Security Act 1991
- barriers in the relevant legislation to the establishment of Special Disability Trusts, and
- possible amendments to the relevant legislation.
Budget 2008-09
In the 2008-09 Budget, the Australian Government committed to an $822 million package for carers to increase support and recognition of their vital economic and social role in the community. The package includes:- $293.6 million for carers of children with disability or severe medical condition in response to the recommendations of the Carer Payment (child): a new approach report
- $428.1 million for bonus payments for carers, and
- $100 million for supported accommodation facilities for people with disability.