Published on 6 Oct 2025

Supporting Unpaid Carers: Building the Foundation for Australia's National Carer Strategy

Projects
1 BRIONY 1x1 PORTRAIT 1
Briony Jain Senior Consultant Contact me
17 TAFADZWA 4x5 PORTRAIT 2
Dr Tafadzwa Machirori Senior Consultant Contact me
18 WILL 1x1 PORTRAIT 1
William Morgan Consultant Contact me

Allen + Clarke partnered with the Department of Social Services to assess Australia's unpaid carer landscape through comprehensive research of over 40 sources. Our analysis identified ten priority areas for policy action, helping inform the National Carer Strategy 2023-2034.

The evidence-based research, delivered in just three months, created a robust foundation for improved support systems for Australia's 2.65 million unpaid carers who experience significant wellbeing, health and financial challenges.

Key Takeaways:

  • Our comprehensive analysis of 40 sources, including publicly available reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, publicly available datasets, legislative documents, and internal documents provided by the Department of Social Services, revealed ten priority areas for action, providing a roadmap for future carer support policy.

  • We delivered a holistic overview of carer challenges, identifying that unpaid carers experience significantly poorer outcomes in wellbeing, psychological distress, and financial stability compared to national averages.

  • Our research helped inform the National Carer Strategy 2023-2034, establishing the foundation for improved service delivery and better outcomes for Australia's carers.
Our analysis revealed that many carers face significant challenges, with particular difficulties for specific groups including young carers and First Nations carers. We identified substantial gaps in service delivery, particularly around respite care accessibility and culturally relevant support.

Identifying opportunities in unpaid carers landscape

The Department of Social Services (DSS) needed evidence-based research to inform the future direction of Australia's carer support system. With service provider agreements set to expire in June 2024, DSS engaged Allen + Clarke to assess the current landscape for unpaid carers and identify improvement opportunities to shape upcoming policy decisions.

The challenge was significant. In 2021, approximately 12.8% of Australians provided unpaid care to people with disabilities, illnesses, or age-related needs. Most carers (76.8%) reported having limited choice in taking on their caring role. This vital but often overlooked population experienced considerably poorer outcomes across multiple domains – with 55.2% reporting low wellbeing (compared to 25.4% nationally), 48.1% experiencing psychological distress, 82.3% facing poorer physical health, and 54.4% dealing with financial stress.

Our team brought valuable subject matter expertise in health and aged care sectors to the project. We understood the sensitivities involved, and the importance of accurately reflecting both the value unpaid carers provide to Australia's healthcare system and the challenges they face. Our technical research capabilities and policy development expertise meant we could deliver high-quality analysis within a compressed three-month timeframe between August and November 2023.

Tangled line drawing forming brain shape above hanging lightbulb
Single yellow lightbulb glowing on black cord
Resources Block
Healthcare worker and elderly man sharing a tablet moment on their porch, exemplifying supportive in-home care and digital inclusion.
Projects

Independent Evaluation of the Star Ratings for Residential Aged Care program

Read More
Blue water droplets labeled "PFAS," visualizing persistent chemicals in our water systems and their environmental impact.
Projects

Secretariat and Scientific Support Services for PFAS Expert Health Panel

Read More
Colorful sidewalk chalk drawing of a human profile with brain regions outlined in pink, yellow, and green, symbolizing mental health awareness.
Projects

National Standards for counsellors and psychotherapists

Read More

Comprehensive data collection approach

We developed a four-phase approach to ensure analysis was thorough and recommendations were practical:

 

  • Comprehensive data collection - we reviewed 20 public reports, 9 peer-reviewed articles, 3 data sets, 3 legislative documents and 5 internal DSS documents. 

  • Systematic analysis - we conducted thematic analysis to identify patterns and key issues facing unpaid carers. 

  • Collaborative refinement - we incorporated two feedback loops and a sensemaking session with the Department to ensure findings aligned with their needs. 

  • Strategic recommendations - we developed an issues papers and five focused policy papers addressing distinct aspects of the carer landscape. 

Hand holding red book with abstract yellow geometric shapes
Hands writing with pen overlaid with yellow geometric shape and black squiggles

Find out how we can help.
Book a Discovery Session

Get clarity on your challenge with our free one-hour discovery session - no obligation, just practical insights on how we can help.

By identifying service gaps and improvement opportunities, particularly for specific carer cohorts, our research has established the foundation for more targeted and effective support systems. This will help ensure that caring responsibilities are appropriately shared between family, community and government, creating a more sustainable approach to supporting those who care for Australia's most vulnerable citizens.

Identifying ten priority areas for policy action

Through our research, we identified ten priority areas that formed the foundation for policy action: developing a holistic approach to care, ensuring cultural relevance in services, meaningfully engaging with carers, simplifying administrative barriers, promoting localised care solutions, providing appropriate recognition and financial support, creating tailored support for young carers, improving access to respite care, and enhancing data collection for future policy development.

The impact of our work extends far beyond the immediate project. Our research helped inform the National Carer Strategy 2023-2034, providing a robust evidence base for the government's approach to supporting unpaid carers.

The strategy will guide improvements to:

  • National service delivery systems - creating more efficient and effective support mechanisms for carers across Australia. 

  • Referral pathways - ensuring carers can more easily navigate available services and support. 

  • Overall outcomes - improving health, wellbeing and financial security for Australia's 1.65 million unpaid carers. 

Interconnected coloured pathways forming abstract network diagram
Interconnected coloured pathways forming abstract network diagram