Carers (Recognition) Act 2010
 The NSW Government introduced the Carers
(Recognition) Act 2010 in May 2010
 Provides strong legal recognition of carers
 A carer is someone who provides ongoing
help to another person who needs it because
of a disability, long term or life-limiting illness,
mental illness, dementia or ageing
 Established the NSW Carers Advisory
Council
Why carers
 Around 1 in 10 people in NSW are
carers
 People who need help prefer to live in
the community, with support from carers
 Most people can expect to both give
and receive care in their lifetime
 Carers (Recognition) Act 2010 (NSW)
About carers
 Anyone can become a carer, any time
 Carers are family members, friends,
colleagues, neighbours
 A carer may help one or more people
 Carers come from all cultural, religious
and socio-economic backgrounds
 Carers can any age – young carers are
under 25 years
NSW Carers Charter
Contains 13 principles based on the following themes:
 Recognise and support carers’ valuable contribution to the people
they care for and their community.
 Include carers in decision-making - take into account their views
and needs in assessment, planning, delivery and review of services
for the person they are caring for.
 Carers’ health and wellbeing must be considered and support
should be responsive and appropriate, including making carers
aware of services that will sustain them in their caring role. Referral
to such services should be made after assessing their needs.
 Recognise and support the choices carers make in their caring role.
 Consider carers’ diversity (including cultural background, age,
disability) and their unique knowledge and experience.
 Recognise and acknowledge the additional difficulties faced by
carers living in remote and rural locations and children and young
people who are carers – support them to overcome them.
 Carers have the same rights, choices and opportunities as others.
Carers and the workplace
 Carers value being able to combine
caring and work
 All staff have access to the following
flexible options:
• Policy Directive 2005_087: Flexible Work Practices – Policy
• Policy Directive 2007_031:Family and Community Services
Leave and Personal/Carer's Leave
Resources and more information
Resources
• e-Carers Learning Program on the NSW Health Online Learning
Centre
• Working Carers Gateway: http://www.workingcarers.org.au/
• NSW Health website - Carers: www.health.nsw.gov.au/carers
More information
• NSW Ministry of Health - Tel: 9391 9843
Email: Carers @moh.health.nsw.gov.au
• NSW Health Carers Program – Local Health District Carer
Support Officers
http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/lhn/