Enhancing Recognition for Unpaid Carers in South Australia

As part of National Carers Week, the South Australian government is set to introduce legislation changes aimed at modernizing rules for government agencies and contracted organizations that provide services to carers and their care recipients. The Carers Recognition (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2025 seeks to broaden the definition of a 'carer', remove the requirement for care to be 'ongoing', and introduce a review requirement every five years to ensure the Act's impact and usefulness are constantly considered. The proposed changes aim to improve carers' interaction with state government services, increase transparency and accountability, and ultimately recognize the crucial roles of unpaid carers.

Key Takeaways:

• The Carers Recognition (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2025 will tabled in the Lower House by Human Services Minister Nat Cook, aiming to modernize rules for government agencies and contracted organizations that provide services to carers and their care recipients.
• The Bill broadens the definition of a 'carer' to be more inclusive of the diverse nature of caring and increase the ability for carers to self-identify.
• The requirement for care to be 'ongoing' will be removed, recognizing other circumstances of care, such as dementia or drug or alcohol dependence.
• The Act will be reviewed every five years to ensure its impact and usefulness are constantly considered.
• The proposed changes aim to improve carers' ability to interact with state government services by increasing public sector staff awareness of carers.
• The changes will also increase public sector agencies' transparency and accountability to carers through public reporting of how those agencies are fulfilling their obligations under the updated Carers Recognition Act.
• The Bill reflects the 2023 review of the Act commissioned by the Human Services Minister and insights from the recent Commonwealth Inquiry into unpaid carers and the new National Carers Strategy.
• The state government received 134 responses from carers, peak bodies, and stakeholders during the consultation period from July to August, providing valuable contributions to shaping the amended Bill.

Statistics:

• 134 responses were received from carers, peak bodies, and stakeholders during the consultation period from July to August.
• The Bill is expected to introduce changes that will improve carers' interaction with state government services.
• 5 years will be the review period for the updated Carers Recognition Act to ensure its impact and usefulness are constantly considered.

Sources:

• Adelaide: Office of Steven Marshall Premier of South Australia's news release, date not specified.
• Carers Recognition (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2025, date not specified.
• Human Services Minister Nat Cook's announcement, date not specified.