Carers
Carers Week 18–24 October 2009
Across Australia, carers are providing unpaid care and support for family members or friends with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or terminal illness.
Carers Week 2009 promotes awareness of the valuable role that carers play in our community and is an opportunity to ignite the conversation about carer issues.
This year's theme - Anyone, Anytime across Australia - reflects the way caring responsibilities can be placed on family and friends indiscriminately.
More information about the week, including the calendar of events across Queensland, is available on the Carers Week 2009 website.
About Carers
The Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates in 2004 there were approximately 536,000 carers in Queensland or about 14 per cent of the Queensland population.
Carers support initiatives
The Carer Action Plan 2006-10, Carer Recognition Policy, support for older carers, and Carers Matter website are Queensland Government initiatives to support carers and the people for whom they care.
Carer Business Discount Card
Applying for a Carer Business Discount Card scheme is easy and free. You can also search online for discounts offered by businesses participating in the scheme. The card is available to Queensland carers who receive the Centrelink Carer Payment or Centrelink Carer Allowance.
Companion Card
The card is issued to a person with a disability who has a lifelong need for attendant care support in order to participate in community life. Companion Card holders are issued with a second ticket for their chosen companion at no charge when purchasing a ticket to an event or activity at an affiliated business.
Law supporting carers
The Carers (Recognition) Act 2008 was passed by the Queensland Parliament on 26 November 2008 and became law on 11 December 2008. The Act sets out a Queensland Carers Charter and provides for the establishment of a Carers Advisory Council.
The Office for Carers
The Office for Carers was established in December 2008 following the Carers (Recognition) Act 2008 (PDF 522kB) becoming law. The Office supports the Government's focus on the recognition of carer's needs and concerns as well as their role in service delivery.
Carers Advisory Council
The Carers Advisory Council is to be established to build a partnership between Queensland carers, the people they care for, and the Queensland Government. It will advise the Minister on the interests of carers and promote compliance with the Carers (Recognition) Act 2008 by public authorities.
Resources and publications
Contains links to the relevant legislation, policy, Queensland Carers Charter, annual progress reports, highlights and media releases.
Last reviewed: 13 October 2009