CARER SUPPORT - NATIONAL CARER GATEWAY

Published 25th June 2015

CARER SUPPORT - NATIONAL CARER GATEWAY

On 24 June 2015, the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield announced the establishment of a Carer Gateway Advisory Group to provide advice and inform the development and implementation of the national carer gateway.

Membership of the Carer Gateway Advisory Group was drawn from service providers, peak bodies and individuals who have carer-specific expertise.

Chief Executive Officer of Carers Australia, Ms Ara Cresswell, has been appointed as Co- Chair of the Group, along with a DSS representative. The first meeting will be on 6 July 2015 and is anticipated the group will meet monthly. 

Commencing in June 2015, consumer research will be undertaken by Australian Market Research to underpin the development of the national carer gateway.  The research will involve input from over 1000 participants across Australia. Research participants will be involved in a number of different ways including mini focus groups, phone interviews, in home interviews and an online survey. The people contributing to the research will come from a mix of socio economic backgrounds and will include both employed and unemployed carers, as well as organisations supporting carers.

The outcomes of the research activities will ensure the needs of carers are central to the development of the gateway and to the Integrated Plan for Carer Support Services, which was announced in the 2015 Budget. 

Information on how to participate on the online survey is available on the Australian Market Research website. 

For more information on the national carer gateway, including the Advisory Group, please visit the DSS website.

Disability, Employment and Carers Group Department of Social Services