The true cost of caring

Whether you realise it or not, it’s highly likely you know a carer. After all, there are more than three million unpaid carers around the country – one in eight members of every community – and up to three young carers in every classroom.

With those numbers in mind, it’s not difficult to understand the enormous and positive impact informal carers have on the nation. At a personal level, there’s the literal care and support they provide to family members and friends, and more broadly, the vast amount their input contributes to the Australian economy.

A 2020 report released by Deloitte Access Economics placed a value of almost $80 billion on unpaid care delivered in remote, rural, regional and metropolitan communities. But amid this national landscape of support, who cares for the carers? And what impact does their caring role have on those who fulfil it?

The recently-released 2024 Carer Wellbeing Survey – which analysed feedback received from more than 9000 carers aged 14 years and older – reported that while one in two carers find the role satisfying overall:

• one in two is doing less paid work than is desired
• 64 per cent have seen their income reduced as a result of becoming a carer
• they are three times more likely to report being poor or very poor

Health and wellbeing is also a key area of concern, with carers three times more likely to report high levels of loneliness (40.3 per cent compared with 13.8 per cent of other Australians) and 2.6 times less likely to have good or excellent health.

The risk of poor wellbeing is higher amongst carers who have more complex, time consuming or otherwise challenging caring commitments, but health and wellbeing markers are improved for carers who have supportive family members, friends and workplaces.

Just as the disability community is a group anyone can join at any time, so too is the caring community. Becoming a carer might happen gradually or suddenly, so we owe it to all carers – and perhaps our future selves – to ensure carers are well supported.

Carers Australia has issued a call to action for the nation, saying its survey shows Australia’s carers are being left behind.

“At some point in every Australian’s life, we will either know, be, or need a carer,” says the organisation’s CEO, Annabel Reid.

“Our 2024 Carer Wellbeing Survey found our carers are being left behind in most of the key indicators of wellbeing, including loneliness, psychological distress, and financial hardship.

“Carers need the ongoing support of all Australians – from government, businesses and media to classrooms and families, and medical professionals and our community.”

The good news is there’s help available. To find out more about supports for carers, read our article here.