The Productivity Commission has released the issues paper for its inquiry into unpaid carers’ leave, highlighting the importance of “informal carers” to older Australians.
Informal carers provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends, as opposed to people paid to care in a professional capacity.
According to the issues paper, 70 per cent of primary carers for older people are women, with 47 per cent of primary carers being the person’s children and 43 per cent being their spouse. 55 per cent are aged under 65, while 22 per cent give more than 60 hours of care per week.
Why become an informal carer?
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics also uncovered the most common reasons for becoming the primary carer:
- Family responsibility (71 per cent);
- Emotional obligation (45 per cent); and
- The ability to provide the best possible care (43 per cent).
The Productivity Commission’s issues paper also noted, however, that 35 per cent of informal carers said, “no other friends or family were available” and 16 per cent felt they “had no choice” but to become a carer.
“Informal carers play a critical role in complementing the formal in-home and residential care system. For this reason, and to maintain the sustainability of their contribution to the care task, it is particularly important for informal carers to have the flexibility and support to provide the care required.
“The main proposal for an entitlement to unpaid leave, and the complementary questions posed in the terms of reference, can contribute to these aims,” the paper reads.
If you’re a carer and want to have your say, submissions are open until 26 August.
