Unpaid carers in the South West will benefit from $85.6 million in additional funding for support services, according to Federal Member for Forrest Nola Marino.
Ms Marino said the new support services were in recognition of the important contribution unpaid carers were providing to their families.
“The Turnbull Government will provide a range of new services, including peer support, coaching, targeted financial support and crisis support, to target early-intervention and build carers’ skills,” she said.
“Getting help early can make a big difference to a carer’s life. It can help to reduce emotional or physical strain, assist carers to stay in work or study, take breaks from caring responsibilities, and help plan for the future. We owe a big thanks to our unpaid carers, who make significant sacrifices to support the most vulnerable in our community.”
The Federal Government recently announced the funding for new supports and services for Australia’s approximately 2.7 million unpaid carers.
The funding will introduce a range of new tailored services to help carers get the support they need early before they reach crisis point..
Carers Australia chief executive Ara Cresswell said the funding was a ‘most welcome announcement’.
“Over one third of carers who are the main source of support to one or more people with disability, chronic or terminal illness, mental health challenges or who are frail aged, provide 40 hours or more of care a week and a third of such carers also have a disability of some kind themselves,” Ms Cresswell said.
“The new integrated carer support services model ... will extend the range and accessibility of carer supports and address some of the fragmentation of existing services, which have been a by-product of accumulated historical changes to programs and of aged care reform and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.”
From October 2018, carers will be able to access new supports and services through the Australian Government’s Carer Gateway website, including peer support, counselling, coaching, and educational resources.
From September 2019, the Australian Government will establish a network of Regional Delivery Partners to help carers access a range of local services such as needs assessments, targeted financial support, information and advice, tailored counselling and coaching, and crisis support where required.
