Show care for our carers
Australians rely on an army of unpaid people who look after older people and others in need. Let’s celebrate them!
Caring for each other makes a community strong. In fact, our society simply couldn’t function without the people who volunteer their time to care for others.
It’s estimated that three million Australians provide unpaid yet essential support to family members and friends living with disability, mental illness, chronic or terminal conditions, or age-related frailty.
National Carers Week, which begins on 12 October 2025, provides us with an opportunity to recognise them, and to reflect on the invaluable contributions they make.
Carers are the quiet achievers in our communities, offering love, patience, and practical help without expecting anything in return.
National Carers Week, an initiative of Carers Australia and supported by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, aims to raise awareness of the vital role carers play and the challenges they face.
This year’s theme encourages Australians to “Care for Carers”, highlighting simple yet meaningful ways we can support those who support others.
Suggestions include checking in regularly, offering a break, acknowledging their efforts, initiating support, and encouraging self-care.
For seniors, many of whom are either carers themselves or rely on the care of loved ones, the week is especially significant.
It’s a chance to reflect on the importance of community, compassion, and connection – a reminder that no one should feel alone in their journey.
Throughout the week, events and activities will be held nationwide, from afternoon teas and panel discussions to fun days out for young carers.
These gatherings not only celebrate carers but also provide opportunities to share stories, build networks, and access valuable resources.
While Carer Week is important to focus attention, carers require support all year round.
This is available through state- and community-based services and online resources such as the Carer Gateway, which offers information, counselling, and respite options tailored to carers’ needs.
Seniors are encouraged to reach out, whether for themselves or to help someone they know.
And as we approach National Carers Week, let’s all take a moment to think about the essential services carers provide and to thank them for it.
A kind word, a helping hand, or simply listening can make a world of difference. After all, caring is not just a role to play, it’s a reflection of the best in humanity.
Many aged care workers employed across Australia have received a boost to their pay packets, earning $34.60 an hour from 1 October 2025.
This is the final stage of wage increases stemming from the aged care work value case, which was lodged by the Health Services Union in the Fair Work Commission in November 2020.
Since the increases began in 2023, a personal care worker’s pay is now up from $23.20 an hour – meaning they receive an extra $433 per week.
