- National Carers Week runs from 11-17 October 2026
- This year’s theme is ‘Care for a Carer: Making Carers Visible’
- Development of WA Carers Strategy reaches important milestone with launch of public discussion paper
- Approximately 320,000 Western Australians providing unpaid care
The incredible contributions of carers across Western Australia will be recognised as part of National Carers Week, which starts today.
Carers provide unpaid personal care, support, and household assistance to a family member or friend needing help with daily life. This may be due to disability, mental health, health or age-related conditions, terminal illness, or alcohol or drug dependency.
National Carers Week runs from 11 October to 17 October, and this year’s theme is ‘Care for a Carer: Making Carers Visible’.
There are approximately 320,000 Western Australians providing unpaid care and National Carers Week is an opportunity to raise community awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.
Not only do they make a difference to the lives of the people they care for, but they also make an invaluable social and economic contribution to Western Australia.
Carers can come from all walks of life, and include people of diverse ages, cultural, linguistic, socio-economic, and religious backgrounds. These factors may influence whether people choose to identify as carers and seek access to support services.
Many carers do not realise they are carers and do not see themselves as extraordinary. They feel they are simply doing what anyone else would do in the same situation.
Strengthening understanding of the term carer and the caring role across communities and workplaces is critical to building inclusive communities that acknowledge and value carers, and helps people access the right supports at the right times.
The Cook Labor Government wants to make carers more visible, which is why it is currently developing the WA Carers Strategy, the commencement of which was announced during last year’s National Carers Week.
A discussion paper was launched at the Carers WA Conference last week to close out the public consultation phase. The paper looks to build on what has been heard during consultation to date and offers the opportunity to provide written submissions to inform the development of the strategy. More details on the discussion paper and public consultation can be found on the website .
Western Australian carers, people with a carer, organisations supporting carers, and community groups are encouraged to provide a submission before the closing date of 12 November 2026.
Led by Hon Dr Katrina Stratton MLC, the second phase of consultation heard from hundreds of carers and stakeholders through 22 in-person and online sessions held across the State. Targeted sessions were held with specific cohorts, such as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, culturally or linguistically diverse, young and old, LGBTIQA+, and people who live with disability, health, or mental health conditions.
The first phase of consultation, a survey seeking carer-driven insights, received 581 responses. These voices and their input have been heard and are informing development of the strategy.
As stated by Community Services Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
“Given the theme of National Carers Week is Care for a Carer – if you know someone who is a carer I’d encourage you to check-in on them.
“Instead of asking how the person they care for is doing, ask them how they are feeling.
“National Carers Week is a great opportunity to reflect on how carers impact Western Australian life and to recognise what they have offer our community.
“I ask all carers to consider providing input into the development of the WA Carers Strategy. We want to hear about your experiences directly.
“On behalf of the Cook Labor Government, I would like to thank each and every carer for their significant contributions to our communities.”
