Supporting Decision Making - A guide for people living with dementia, family members and carers

Our Services

Outline of our services and how we can assist in supporting carers

Aboriginal Carer Support Program

Provides information on our Aboriginal Care Support Program - aims, support offerings and key contacts

Carers Education & Training Programs

Information on the education and training courses we can provide to family carers and service providers.

No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS)

Carers SA has partnered with Good Shepherd Microfinance Australia and New Zealand, providers of the NILS scheme, to provide No Interest Loans to family carers on a low income. Outlines usage of funds, application process and eligibility.

Donations, Bequests & In Memory Gifts

Provides information about showing your support by offering a donation, bequest or in memory donation to Carers SA.

Transport and Care

Released August 2018 - South Australian carers have told us for a very long time that transport is a major issue for their families, and especially so in regional and remote areas.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Released August 2017 - things Carers need to know about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) today.

Unpaid Carers in South Australia

Released January 2017 - based on 2015 ABS data - includes South Australian key statistics on number of carers, employment and income and role of caring.

Online Resources

Released June 2015 - collection of online or digital resources for carers to assist carers in their caring role.

Carers Australia 2019-20 Federal Budget Submission

Carers Australia - January 2019 - Budget submission to the Australian Government, outlining Carers Australia's recommendations for the Federal Budget.

State Pre-Budget Submission 2019 - 2020

Carers SA’s submission to the South Australian Government, outlining Carers SA’s recommendations for addressing the needs of carers in the next State Budget.

Submission on Supported Employment

Carers Australia - 8 March 2018 - A submission document to the DSS Discussion Paper on the importance of supported employment to people with disability and their carers.

State Election 2018 - Carers SA Commitment Summary January 2018

Carers SA is urging candidates and (future) Members of the South Australian Parliament to commit to appropriate representation and support for the 245,000 South Australian unpaid family carers and their families by acknowledging their issues and adopting key commitments to carers. This document also contains 1241 direct messages written by carers.

Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee Inquiry on the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card) Bill 2017

Carers Australia - September 2017 - A submission document outlining that Carers Australia does not support the extension of the Cashless Debit Card to new areas, more participants, and beyond the current end date.

Department of Health Discussion Paper Future Reform – an integrated care at home program to support older Australians

Carers Australia - August 2017 - A submission relating to propositions for a more integrated home care program to support older Australians.

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Better Targeting Student Payments) Bill

Carers Australia - July 2017 - Carers Australia's response to this Bill which outlines the various payments that young carers can receive.

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Welfare Reform) Bill

Carers Australia - July 2017 - Carers Australia response to two provisions of the Bill, 1. automatic qualification for carer payment, and 2. intent to claim provisions.

Productivity Commission Inquiry on NDIS costs

Carers Australia - March 2017 - recommendations to address problems which have arisen with the implementation of the NDIS to date.

Joint Standing Committee into the provision of services under the NDIS for people with psychosocial disabilities related to a mental health condition

Carers Australia - March 2017 - how NDIS will impact carers of people with psychosocial disability.

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017

Carers Australia - February 2017 - focusing on the impact on carers of the proposed amendments to the bill.

Federal Budget Pre-Budget Submission (2017/18)

Carers Australia - January 2017 - Budget Submission to the Australian Government, outlining Carers Australia's recommendations for the Federal Budget.

Department of Social Services (DSS) on Delivering an Integrated Carer Support Service

Carers Australia - December 2016 - includes collective feedback on the new model from National Network of Carers Associations (including Carers SA).

Aged Care Legislated Review

Carers Australia - December 2016 - impacts of reforms on carers' access to services to aged care which support them in their caring role.

Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation to the expert review panel

Carers Australia - September 2016 - comments on the desire for greater engagement of carers by pharmacies and greater awareness of the services available.

Senate Standing Committees on Economics: Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill 2016

Carers Australia - September 2016 - regarding removal of backdating of the Carer Allowance, and removal of the Energy Supplement to new social security and family assistance payments recipients

Australian Law Reform Commission - Elder Abuse and Commonwealth Laws

Carers Australia - August 2016 - review of Elder Abuse and Commonwealth Laws, with a focus on family and friend carers and suggestions about improving the safety and protection of older people.

Productivity Commission inquiry into Competition in Human Services - stage 1

Carers Australia - August 2016 - services within the human services sector that are best suited to increased application of competition, contestability and informed user choice

Transport and Care Survey 2018 - Summary Report

Carers SA conducted a research project investigating transport issues across metropolitan and regional South Australia.
This summary of our finding is designed to support transport advocacy strategies across sectors and allow community and carer concerns around transport (and supported transport) to be heard.

Carers Count 2017 - Survey Report

Carers SA Report - December 2017 - Report outlining the results from the bi-annual carers survey which highlights the everyday life of unpaid carers and puts a spotlight on the issues and challenges faced by carers and their families.

Young Carer Transition Points

Carers SA Report - May 2017 - Report outlining and explaining the transition points young carers go through from early childhood right through to 25 years of age.

Carers SA Young Carer Service Model and Pilot

7th International Carers Conference – Presentation of Carers SA’s Young Carer Service Model and Pilot - 06-Oct-2017.

2017 Carers Count Survey Data Summary

Summary document of the 2017 Carers Survey, highlighting many important important statistics regarding carers in South Australia.

LGBTI Carers

Issues and Challenges - student placement project - January 2017. Addresses who are LGBTI carers, barriers to entry, conflict and layers of grief, heternormative care environments and recommendations.

Young Carers – What Next?

Accompanying resource to Carer SA's Good Practice Forum - “Young Carers – What Next?” - October 2016.

Carer Recognition Bill 2010

Commonwealth Carer Recognition Bill 2010

Carers Recognition Act 2005

South Australia Carers Recognition Act 2005

SA State Election 2018 – Carer letter to local candidates - Template

A letter template for carers to fill out with their issues and concerns and send to their local candidates in the 2018 state election.

Young Carer letter template for the State Election

A form for young carers to fill out and send back to Carers SA with the purpose that it will be included in the 2018 State Election Strategy for carers in South Australia.

An Extra Degree of Difficulty: Older LGBTI carers (2015)

Carers Victoria took part in a national research project exploring the experiences and needs of older LGBTI carers and the carers of older LGBTI Australians. The project was led by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University, Val's Café Inclusive Practice Network and Carers Australia and provides information and practical strategies around supporting LGBTI carers. Findings and stories from this research have been included in An Extra Degree of Difficulty evidence based resource.

Emergency Care Plan

The Australian government Emergency Care Plan allows you lists contact details of the people who have agreed to give emergency support to the person you care for. It also includes instructions on the type of care they may need to provide.