In a year when carer recognition in Australia was highlighted as a major issue and a National Carer Strategy is being developed, we’re disappointed by the lack of carer recognition in the 2024-25 federal budget. We believe it represents a missed opportunity to invest in carers, both now and in the future. Measures such as increases to the carer payment and the inclusion of a superannuation guarantee could have significantly improved support for carers.

An excerpt from Carers Australia Report on what it means for carers:

Carers were not winners out of this Budget.

While we understand the economy is in a difficult phase and there are several competing priorities the Government had to address in this Budget, Carers Australia is disappointed the Budget had only one targeted change for Carers, and some indirect benefit through less targeted measures.

We welcome and praise the measures to stabilise prices in prescription drugs, modest support to Medicare, increased funding to home care packages, more support for the aged care system,
investments in Services Australia and the NDIS, a modest increase to Rent Assistance and broad-based tax relief and energy assistance. But these are too little and too late to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the 2.7 million carers who fundamentally underpin the Health, Aged Care and NDIS systems.

Despite our disappointment, we’re determined to continue advocating alongside our national carer network colleagues for better support for all carers.

What would you like to have seen included in the 2024-25 budget?

Share your thoughts by emailing us at carer.advocacy@carersact.org.au