Running from Sunday 16 - Saturday 22 October 2022, National Carers Week is an official awareness-raising week for Australia’s unpaid family and friend carers.
The week provides an opportunity for all Australians to understand more about the diversity of carers and their caring roles. It is also a time to recognise and celebrate the 2.65 million Australians who provide care and support to a family member or friend.
About Carers and National Carers Week
Once known as Carer Awareness Week, the week has been held every year since 1992 and is the first of its kind to raise public awareness of the important and challenging role of carers. National Carers Week is an initiative of Carers Australia, funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, and coordinated with the assistance and participation of the National Carer Network.
Who we’re celebrating
Carers are people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or drug dependency or are frail aged – anyone at any time can become a carer.
Millions of Reasons to Care with digital transformation
The NSW Government’s vision to become the world’s most customer-centric government by 2030 has an ongoing commitment to digital transformation. Digital transformation is making a positive impact across the community. Here we highlight just some of the incredible digital programs that are transforming the lives of our NSW citizens with the promotion of digital tools to support access to care, whilst also making dealing with government an easier and more meaningful experience.
NSW Seniors Card program
Funded through the Digital Restart Fund, the cards provide access for NSW residents aged 60 or over to discounts and rebates from a range of services and businesses.
Taxi Subsidy Scheme digital smartcard
The Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS) makes it easier for customers with disabilities to get around and go about their daily lives. The introduction of the TTSS Smartcard has transformed the process for both passengers and taxi drivers, enabling the subsidy to be processed electronically.
The smartcard is easy to carry, includes a photo for added security and has a simple tap which allows customers to leave the taxi quicker at the end of their ride. The smartcard indicates if the passenger travels in a standard or wheelchair accessible taxi and includes accessible features that allow vision impaired customers to easily identify their card.
THIS WAY UP
THIS WAY UP provides free digital mental health resources for clinicians to use with their patients’ regular care. Jump online at any time to find a step-by-step way to tackle feelings of stress, anxiety, and low mood with clinically-proven online programs.
To discover more, visit the National Carers Week website and find videos highlighting the important data defining the diversity of carers and their roles. Find information through the Millions of Reasons to Care campaign on their wellbeing, the laws that govern caring, as well as statistics economic contributions.
Get involved and make a buzz
Why not host or attend a National Carers Week event. Need ideas? Think morning and afternoon teas, walks, market stalls or a community arts festival. Get your message to as many people as possible by registering your event on the National Carers Website and make a buzz on your socials by posting with the official hashtags #NationalCarersWeek, #MillionsOfReasonsToCare and #NCW22.