The first annual report on Australia's National Carer Strategy shows widespread distress among unpaid carers while many of the government's key reforms remain under development.
Australia’s unpaid carers are reporting worsening financial hardship, employment barriers, loneliness, and poor wellbeing despite the federal government’s National Carer Strategy entering its second year.
The first annual report on the strategy, released this week, showed that while 64% of the strategy’s actions have commenced, many of the major reforms remain in development, consultation, or under consideration.
The report described 2025 as a year of “building the foundation” for longer-term reform.
“Throughout 2025, our focus has been on laying the groundwork for the Strategy’s successful implementation,” the report said.
“Building this foundation has involved establishing governance arrangements, strengthening partnerships, engaging with carers and the sector, and commencing key initiatives.”
The report said future annual reports “will increasingly focus on the impact and outcomes of actions under the Strategy as implementation progresses”.
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Meanwhile, the latest National Carer Wellbeing Survey paints a stark picture of life for Australia’s estimated three million unpaid carers.
Just 38.9% of carers reported healthy wellbeing, compared with 66% of Australian adults.
The survey also found:
- 42.7% of carers reported feeling lonely often or always;
- 58% said they did not have access to adequate respite services in their local area;
- 71% said they had been unable to accept employment because of their caring role, up from 55.9% in 2024;
- 64.3% reported their household finances had worsened since becoming a carer;
- More than 70% did not feel recognised by government; and
- 46% said they had not received information about support services after identifying themselves as carers.
The report said the findings “reinforce the importance of recognising carers, supporting their wellbeing, and addressing the barriers they face in accessing information and support”.
Among the measures completed or underway during the first year were the expansion of Carer Gateway counselling services by up to 10,000 additional sessions annually, continued funding for the Young Carer Bursary Program and Young Carer Network, extensions to the Carer Inclusive Workplace Initiative, and pre-employment support pilots in Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania.
However, several significant reforms are still to be completed.
The report said KPMG delivered recommendations in November 2025 aimed at improving navigation between Carer Gateway and other service systems, with the recommendations “being considered” by the Department of Social Services.
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Other work, including improvements to counselling, mental health and respite services, a culturally responsive practice framework, and enhanced peer support arrangements, remains under development.
The government also continues work on reforms to the Carer Recognition Act 2010 following its response to the recent parliamentary inquiry into the Act.
The annual report said implementation of the National Carer Strategy “is intended to drive tangible improvements in carers’ lives over the life of the Strategy”, with future reports expected to measure the impact of reforms as they are delivered.