Commitments for carers in new ACT Government agreements Following the recent ACT election, the Eleventh Assembly held its first sitting on Wednesday, 6 November 2024. To form the government, Labor has reached supply and confidence agreements with both the Greens and independent MLA Thomas Emerson. We’re pleased to see several of Carers ACT’s key priorities included in these agreements, demonstrating a shared commitment to supporting carers in the ACT.
The agreements highlight several important initiatives for carers, including: - Exploring a carer recognition card to acknowledge and support the vital role of carers
- Developing a mentorship program tailored for young carers
- Working to secure a location for a purpose-built respite centre to give carers more opportunities for rest and support
- Co-designing a mental health services plan aimed at improving care pathways across the system for better, more integrated support
We will continue to work closely with the new government to ensure these commitments translate into meaningful improvements for Canberra’s carers. You can read the Green’s Supply and Confidence agreement here, and MLA Emerson’s agreement is available to read via this link.
Young Carer Bursary applications now open The Young Carer Bursary Program, an initiative by Carers Australia, is now accepting applications for 2025. There are 1,592 bursaries available, each valued at $3,768, to help young carers continue their education while managing their caring responsibilities.
Applications are open to Australian residents aged 12 to 25 who provide care for a family member or friend while pursuing their studies. Applications close the 22nd November 2024.
Here’s what’s new this year: To learn more about the application process, explore additional resources, and apply visit the Young Carers Network website.
Caring for others & yourself: Carer Wellbeing Survey 2024 reportCarers Australia has launched their 2024 Carer Wellbeing Survey report, with over 9,000 carers participating. Compiled by the University of Canberra and released during National Carers Week, the report paints a broad picture of what caring looks like across Australia, revealing that: - Carers are more than three times more likely to experience high levels of loneliness and poor financial wellbeing.
- 64% of carers experienced a decrease in income after taking on caring responsibilities
- Due to cost-of-living pressures, 1 in 3 carers delayed or canceled medical appointments for those they care for
- 16.6% reported poor access to high-speed internet, limiting their connectivity.
- 57.6% of carers reported consistently good access to respite care.
- 1 in 2 carers found satisfaction in their role, despite ongoing challenges.
- Employed carers with supportive workplaces were 33% more likely to report better wellbeing.
Thank you to all carers who shared their experiences and participated in the survey. Carer advocacy bodies across the nation, including Carers ACT, will be using this updated data to advocate for improved supports at all levels.
Click here to read the full survey report.
First results of the 2024 National Carer Survey released Alongside the release of Carers Australia's Wellbeing Survey report, Carers NSW officially launched the first results from the 2024 National Carer Survey as part of National Carers Week 2024.
National highlights, state and territory highlights, and fact sheets about First Nations carers and young carers are available to download. Results will continue to be published with the full report available from March 2025. You can download the fact sheets here.
National Mental Health in Education Survey reportBeyond Blue's National Mental Health in Education Survey report has found that only 33% of educators believe the children and young people in their care are mentally healthy. The survey, part of Beyond Blue's Be You initiative, gathered insights from 2,630 educators across early learning services and schools.
The report calls for better support within educational settings, recommending stronger leadership support, embedded mental health training in pre-service education, paid time for wellbeing initiatives, and investment in dedicated wellbeing support roles.
Learn more about the survey findings in the full National Mental Health in Education Report available via this link.
Australian Medical Association 2024 Public Hospital Report Card - mental health editionThe AMA’s 2024 Public Hospital Report Card on Mental Health has been released, highlighting a shortage of public hospital mental health capacity nationwide, with 27 specialised mental health beds per 100,000 Australians.
The ACT stands as an outlier in emergency department wait times, likely due to a decade-long increase in mental health bed funding. However, issues remain with data collection and reporting in the ACT. The report’s recommendations include funding alternatives for out-of-hospital care, enabling community-based treatment for those better served outside of hospital settings.
Explore the full report findings here.
Australia’s health tracker: chronic conditions by socioeconomic statusVictoria University's latest report, Australia’s health tracker, provides an overview of the significant health disparities across socioeconomic groups in Australia. The report confirms that those with lower socioeconomic status face higher rates of chronic disease and mortality, and calls for targeted policy actions to address these health inequities and lessen the burden on vulnerable communities.
You can read the full report here.
General Foundational Supports consultations still openThe Australian Government has announced the first stage of consultations on Foundational Supports, designed to assist individuals who are not eligible for the NDIS but may still need help beyond what mainstream services offer, such as in early childhood education, schools, and community mental health. The consultations are part of a collaborative effort between Commonwealth, state, and territory governments.
Targeted Foundational Supports, including those related to psychosocial disability, will begin consultation in October. The current consultation phase focuses on General Foundational Supports, and your feedback is essential in shaping these services.
Consultation is open until 5th December 2024, with opportunities to provide feedback through online surveys, in-person and virtual consultation sessions, and an online ideas wall. For more information, sign up for updates on Foundational Supports by visiting the Foundational Supports page here.
ALIVE National Lived-Experience Priorities Study The ANU-ALIVE National Lived-Experience Priorities Study, open until early December, seeks insights from carers, family, and kin of people living with mental health challenges.
This research aims to shape priorities in mental health research by centering the lived experiences of these communities. Your input is crucial in forming a research roadmap that addresses real needs. To contribute, complete the survey at go.unimelb.edu.au/f478.
Medicare rebate for psychology sessions petition Lived Experience Australia is urging the government to reconsider the 10-session limit on Medicare-rebated psychology sessions. Since the reduction from 20 to 10 sessions in 2022, advocates have highlighted the challenge this limit poses for people with complex mental health needs, such as those who have experienced trauma. Many individuals exhaust their sessions by mid-year, leaving them unable to afford ongoing care.
Join the call for more accessible mental health support by signing the petition here.
Exploring carer experiences with recovery-oriented practices University of Technology Sydney is conducting a study on carers' engagement with mental health workers and its effects on carer wellbeing and caring roles. Eligible participants must be 18 years or older, a carer of individuals with mental health challenges who have accessed mental health services in Australia within the past 10 years.
Participants will receive a $50 gift card for completing a 60–90-minute interview. For more details and to apply, click here.
Research on links between mental health and oral health Flinders University, in collaboration with Lived Experience Australia, is conducting a survey on the relationship between mental health and oral health. This study seeks input to explore barriers to accessing oral health care and will inform future policy and guidance.
You are invited to complete this survey if you have lived or living experience of mental health challenges or supporting someone with mental health challenges and would like to share your views and experiences of care for oral health, including your experiences of contact with health services about oral health. To participate, click here to start the survey.
Grandparents support group for eating disordersEating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) has launched a new online support group specifically for grandparents. This group provides information and a supportive community for grandparents who want to know how best to support their children and grandchildren through the eating disorder recovery journey. Connect with others facing similar challenges, share experiences, and get involved from afar.
More information and registration can be found here.
Revamped online resource library for mental health families, carers, and kinHelpingMinds and Mental Health Carers Australia have unveiled a redesigned online resource library, now more accessible for carers and professionals in carer-inclusive practices. The free library offers:
- Practical tools and guidance to assist carers in their daily roles
- Informative articles, fact sheets, and training modules for staying up-to-date
- Collaborative resources for enhancing partnerships with families and carers
Explore the new library here.
Confidence in conversations with people impacted by gamblingGambling harm goes beyond financial loss, affecting various aspects of a person’s life and those around them. Lifeline will be holding free half-day Confidence in Conversations with People Impacted by Gambling training sessions on 14 and 26 November 2024. This training covers communication skills, recognising gambling harm, and how to respond and refer individuals who may be impacted.
Register for the training here
Carers and Centrelink webinarIf you missed the recent Carers and Centrelink - Community Worker Training webinar delivered by Welfare Rights Centre, the recording is now available. While this session is directed towards community workers, it provides a comprehensive overview of how carer payments work. The webinar covers the basics of Centrelink payments for carers, required evidence for eligibility, common challenges, and how to appeal against decisions.
You can watch the webinar here.
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