On 20 April 2023, the Carer Recognition Act 2023 (Tas) was enacted. This Act formally recognises the significant contributions that unpaid carers in Tasmania provide to their family and friends who need support. It contains a Carers Charter which sets out obligations for Tasmanian Government agencies to monitor and report on the Carers Charter and implementation of the Carers Action Plan.
In the development and drafting of this legislation, significant consultation occurred within the Tasmanian community. As a result of feedback received throughout this process, the previously understood definition of a carer was broadened to include carers supporting a child through an informal kinship care arrangement, as well as people caring for someone with alcohol or other drug dependence. The wording used in the definition was also updated so that it is more inclusive and person-centred. As a specific example, the previous carer definition used the term ‘mental illness.’ It has now been updated to use the wording mental ill health, as not all people being cared for who have mental ill health have a diagnosed mental illness.
The Carer Recognition Act 2023 (Tas) now defines a carer as person who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, or friend who:
- has disability: or
- has mental ill health; or
- has a chronic or life-limiting condition; or
- has alcohol or other drug dependence; or
- is frail or aged; or
- is a child if the person is an informal kinship carer of the child.
On 20 April 2023, the Carer Recognition Act 2023 (Tas) was enacted. This Act formally recognises the significant contributions that unpaid carers in Tasmania provide to their family and friends who need support. It contains a Carers Charter which sets out obligations for Tasmanian Government agencies to monitor and report on the Carers Charter and implementation of the Carers Action Plan.
In the development and drafting of this legislation, significant consultation occurred within the Tasmanian community. As a result of feedback received throughout this process, the previously understood definition of a carer was broadened to include carers supporting a child through an informal kinship care arrangement, as well as people caring for someone with alcohol or other drug dependence. The wording used in the definition was also updated so that it is more inclusive and person-centred. As a specific example, the previous carer definition used the term ‘mental illness.’ It has now been updated to use the wording mental ill health, as not all people being cared for who have mental ill health have a diagnosed mental illness.
The Carer Recognition Act 2023 (Tas) now defines a carer as person who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, or friend who:
- has disability: or
- has mental ill health; or
- has a chronic or life-limiting condition; or
- has alcohol or other drug dependence; or
- is frail or aged; or
- is a child if the person is an informal kinship carer of the child.
Legislation Timeline
October 2021:
Minister Jeremy Rockliff announced that consultation would commence to inform carer recognition legislation in Tasmania.
November 2021:
The first stage of consultation commenced. Carers Tasmania attended and distributed a survey to gather feedback from carers.
December 2021:
The first stage of consultation closed. The survey informed Carers Tasmania’s written Response to the Carer Recognition Discussion Paper.
April 2022:
The Draft Carer Recognition Bill was released for community feedback. Carers Tasmania led community discussions and distributed another survey to gather feedback.
June 2022:
The Draft Carer Recognition Bill was tabled in the Lower House of Parliament.
October 2022:
The Draft Bill was debated in the Lower House of Parliament. Carers Tasmania staff attended with two carers to witness this special event. The Draft received cross-party support.
March 2023:
The Draft Bill was debated in the Legislative Council. Many of the Legislative Council members. The Draft Bill was passed with overwhelming support.
April 2023:
The Tasmanian Carer Recognition Act of 2023 received Royal Assent and was enacted by the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, The Governor of Tasmania.
Carer Recognition Act 2023
In accordance with the Carer Recognition Act 2023 (Tas), a Minister’s Carer Advisory Council was established by the Minister for Community Services and Development as a reference point for the Tasmanian Government on issues affecting unpaid carers. The Council includes five members with lived or living experience as a carer. The inclusion of carer lived experience on this council is extremely important, and something that Carers Tasmania advocated for, based on feedback from carers over the years.
The role and function of Council is to:
- Provide expert advice to inform Tasmanian Government responses to carer issues;
- Provide feedback on Tasmanian Government policies, programs, services and initiatives that address and respond to carer issues;
- Identify issues faced by carers and the services that support carers;
- Support the sharing of information between the Tasmanian Government, Australian Government and key community sector organisations; and
- Provide advice and assist in monitoring the implementation of and reporting on Supporting Tasmanian Carers: Tasmania’s Carer Action Plan 2021-2024 and the Carer Recognition Act 2023.
The Council met for the first time on 19 April 2023, commencing the process of refreshing and updating the Carer Action Plan.
The five carer representatives who are currently part of the Council represent a diverse range of caring experiences, ages and geographical locations. Carers Tasmania provided training to these carers about their rights as part of a consumer group.
The role and function of Council is to:
- Provide expert advice to inform Tasmanian Government responses to carer issues;
- Provide feedback on Tasmanian Government policies, programs, services and initiatives that address and respond to carer issues;
- Identify issues faced by carers and the services that support carers;
- Support the sharing of information between the Tasmanian Government, Australian Government and key community sector organisations; and
- Provide advice and assist in monitoring the implementation of and reporting on Supporting Tasmanian Carers: Tasmania’s Carer Action Plan 2021-2024 and the Carer Recognition Act 2023.
The Council met for the first time on 19 April 2023, commencing the process of refreshing and updating the Carer Action Plan.
The five carer representatives who are currently part of the Council represent a diverse range of caring experiences, ages and geographical locations. Carers Tasmania provided training to these carers about their rights as part of a consumer group.
Pictured. Izzy Dewar, MCAC member
Minister’s Carer Advisory Council
This year, Carers Tasmania celebrated 30 years of supporting Tasmanian carers. Carers Tasmania started in 1988 as an idea, then in 1989 became a grassroots movement of carers and service providers. Carers Tasmania was incorporated in 1993. Over the past 30 years, Carers Tasmania has grown and evolved into an organisation servicing both metropolitan and rural Tasmania and acting as the peak body for informal carers in the State. Care2Serve was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Carers Tasmania in 2019 to provide the service delivery function.
This year, Carers Tasmania celebrated 30 years of supporting Tasmanian carers. Carers Tasmania started in 1988 as an idea, then in 1989 became a grassroots movement of carers and service providers. Carers Tasmania was incorporated in 1993. Over the past 30 years, Carers Tasmania has grown and evolved into an organisation servicing both metropolitan and rural Tasmania and acting as the peak body for informal carers in the State. Care2Serve was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Carers Tasmania in 2019 to provide the service delivery function.
Celebrating 30 Years of Carers Tasmania
Carers Tasmania provides a voice for Tasmanian carers, engaging with carers about significant issues government reforms and programs and providing advice back to both the Tasmanian and Australian Governments.
In 2022/23, Carers Tasmania provided the following written submissions:
- Carers Tasmania submission to the 22-23 NDIS Review
- Carers Tasmania submission on the Senate Inquiry into ADHD 2023
- Carers Tasmania Feedback on the Long-Term Plan for Healthcare in Tasmania 2040
- Carers Tasmania Submission on the Early Years Strategy
- Response to the Final Report for the Development of Tasmania’s Community-wide Literacy Framework 2023
- Response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport. Inquiry into Long Covid and Repeated Infections 2023
- Response to the Australian Government NDIS Review ‘Our Approach’ Paper 2023
- Carers Tasmania Response to the Guardianship and Administration Amendment Bill 2022
- Response to the Tasmanian Health Service Statewide Hospitals Discharge Framework 2022
- Carers Tasmania Response to the Draft Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy 2023-2027
- Carers Tasmania Submission on the draft Tasmanian Drug Strategy
- Response to the Select Committee on Work and Care Terms of Reference
- Submission on the Australian Government Productivity Commission Carer Leave Issues Paper
- Response to the Tasmanian Draft Carer Recognition Act 2022
- Carers Tasmania Response to the Our Healthcare Future – Advancing Tasmania’s Health
- Carers Tasmania submission to the 22-23 NDIS Review
- Carers Tasmania submission on the Senate Inquiry into ADHD 2023
- Carers Tasmania Feedback on the Long-Term Plan for Healthcare in Tasmania 2040
- Carers Tasmania Submission on the Early Years Strategy
- Response to the Final Report for the Development of Tasmania’s Community-wide Literacy Framework 2023
- Response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport. Inquiry into Long Covid and Repeated Infections 2023
- Response to the Australian Government NDIS Review ‘Our Approach’ Paper 2023
- Carers Tasmania Response to the Guardianship and Administration Amendment Bill 2022
- Response to the Tasmanian Health Service Statewide Hospitals Discharge Framework 2022
- Carers Tasmania Response to the Draft Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy 2023-2027
- Carers Tasmania Submission on the draft Tasmanian Drug Strategy
- Response to the Select Committee on Work and Care Terms of Reference
- Submission on the Australian Government Productivity Commission Carer Leave Issues Paper
- Response to the Tasmanian Draft Carer Recognition Act 2022
- Carers Tasmania Response to the Our Healthcare Future – Advancing Tasmania’s Health
