Improving Care and Support for Carers in Victoria

Our Role in Advocacy

The time before and after an election represent key opportunities to ensure that Carers are top of mind and that their voices are heard across state government. One of the ways Carers Victoria communicates our recommendations to government, post-election, is in the form of a Pre-Budget Submission.

The 2023-24 State Budget signifies an opportunity for government to reset the system for over 700,000 unpaid Victorian carers. Despite their invaluable role in Victorian society, we know that carers experience many stressors that go beyond the everyday responsibilities of caregiving. Providing unpaid or informal care is strongly linked to negative impacts on financial, emotional and physical wellbeing. The central focus of the Submission is to call upon the State to relieve the demands and increase the joys of caring.

With the new Victorian Carer Strategy on the horizon, the Submission highlights Government’s fundamental opportunity to reshape the system, guide investment, and prioritise the services that most benefit carers. To unlock this opportunity, Carers Victoria has urged investment in a human-centred design approach to develop the Strategy and inform its priorities. Victoria is nation-leading in its commitment to placing citizens at the heart of policy design and supporting a carer-centred approach will allow the strategy to reflect the things that are most important to carers themselves.

The submission also recommends investment in the services we know make a difference for carers in the shorter term. With the carer population growing rapidly and forecast to exceed 1 million Victorians by 2026, commencing expansion of Victorian Government funded supports for carers is essential to meet growing need. Simple, flexible services for carers, cost of living relief, and support for carers in crisis represent a few key areas of focus in our recent Submission.

To find out more about our role in policy and advocacy or to become a part of the conversation, become a member of Carers Victoria and help us continue to raise the voice of all Carers in Victoria.

To view the full submission please visit www.carersvictoria.org.au/submissions

Become

Membership benefits include:

› Exclusive invitations to events including our popular Mingle events, and health and well-being workshops and programs specifically designed for carers.

› Championing for real change through consultations, focus groups and research.

› Staying informed with our monthly eBulletin ‘The Voice’ jam-packed with important carer issues, events and stories.

› Gaining access to exclusive member only discounts, competitions and giveaways.

To learn more, scan the QR Code or visit www.carersvic.com.au/OurMembership