DHCS - Carers

Caring for Carers

Third Progress Report

This is the third and final report on the implementation of the Caring for Carers in the ACT - A Plan for Action 2004-07. The report outlines the initiatives undertaken against the actions for the period 1 July 2006 to 31 December 2007 completing the life of the plan.

While all actions have been completed there are some initiatives that will continue to have an impact on the lives of carers as they are sustainable and/or have long term funding attached to them. The reporting on those initiatives will be included in the new model developed to implement the principles of the Caring for Carers Policy.

It reports progress made during 2006-07 and provides an overview of the key initiatives that are being undertaken across the ACT Government. This Report builds and extends the work that progressed the actions from the First and Second Progress Reports.

Third and Final Progress Report 279Kb

Review of the Action Plan

The Action Plan also commits to reviewing the plan. The Allen Consulting Group were engaged by the Department to conduct a review on the Action Plan. The final report is entitled Caring for Cares Review and Future Model.

Caring for Carers Review and Future Model 1.8Mb

Government Response to the Review of the Action Plan

The ACT Government has provided a response to the recommendations of the review, Caring for Cares Review and Future Model, of the Action Plan.

ACT Government Response 168Kb

First Progress Report on Caring for Carers in the ACT - a plan of action 2004 - 2007

First Progress Report on Caring for Carers in the ACT - a plan of action 2004 - 2007 89KB Added 28.11.05

First Progress Report on Caring for Carers in the ACT - a plan of action 2004 - 2007 177KB Added 28.11.05

In August 2004, the ACT Government launched Caring for Carers in the ACT - a plan for action 2004-2007 (The Action Plan). This outlines 34 actions for the ACT Government to progress over three years in order to achieve the objectives of the Caring for Carers Policy.

The Action Plan included commitments to:

table an annual report of progress made on the action plan in the Legislative Assembly during November each year; and
review the current legislative position of carers in the ACT and identify areas for legislative reform, with a view to amending existing ACT legislation or creating a Carers Act.

The First Progress Report (2004-2005) provides information on new actions under the Action Plan required for the reporting period. Information provided in the Progress Report shows that Government agencies have undertaken new actions foreshadowed in the Action Plan as requiring implementation during the reporting period.

Government’s Response to the “Report on the Review of Carers Legislation in the ACT”

Government's Response to the "Report on the Review of Carers Legislation in the ACT" 140KB Added 28.11.05

Government's Response to the "Report on the Review of Carers Legislation in the ACT" 157KB Added 28.11.05

The Caring for Carers in the ACT - a plan for action 2004-2007 (The Action Plan) included a commitment to review the current legislative position of carers in the ACT and identify areas for legislative reform, with a view to amending existing ACT legislation or creating a Carers Act. The Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services engaged Minter Ellison Consulting to review, in consultation with the community, whether there was a need for new or improved legislation to support carers in ACT. In January 2005, the ACT Government released the review titled Report on the Review of Carers Legislation in the ACT which included forty-one (41) recommendations. The Report found that there was no broad-based support - nor a demonstrated need - for a stand-alone Carers Act in the ACT. However, it recommended the development of a ‘Carers Recognition Bill’, to amend some existing legislation in order to better support carers. The Report also suggested a range of non-legislative initiatives to facilitate greater use by carers of relevant legislative rights.

The Government is largely in agreement with the recommendations of the Report. It agrees, or agrees in principle, with twenty-nine of the Report’s forty-one recommendations. Six recommendations are noted and six are not agreed. The Government supports the development of a Carer Recognition Bill to amend some existing legislation, and it also supports many of the recommendations for non-legislative action.

Carers and ACT Legislation

The ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services engaged Minter Ellison Consulting to review in consultation with the community, whether there was a need for new or improved legislation to support carers in ACT.

In January 2005, the ACT Government released the review titled Report on the Review of Carers Legislation in the ACT.

The Report found that there was no broad-based support - nor a demonstrated need - for a stand-alone Carers Act in the ACT. However, it does recommend the development of ‘Carers Recognition Bill’, which would amend some existing Acts so that they better support carers, as well as suggesting a range of non-legislative initiatives.

The Report was released for community comment by 25 February 2005. The ACT Government’s response to this Report is expected shortly.

Report on the Review of Carers Legislation 495KB

Report on the Review of Carers Legislation 1,708KB

Caring for Carers in the ACT - A Plan for Action 2004-2007

Caring for Carers in the ACT - A Plan for Action 2004-2007 is a three-year plan of action to enhance government and community support for the estimated 43,000 ACT carers. It was released on 26 August 2004.

To access Caring for Carers in the ACT - A Plan for Action 2004-2007 or information on implementation, please click on the following links:

Caring for Carers in the ACT - A Plan for Action 2004-2007 289KB

Caring for Carers in the ACT - A Plan for Action 2004-2007 235KB(with tables)
Caring for Carers in the ACT - A Plan for Action 2004-2007 235KB(with tables)

Caring for Carers in the ACT - A Plan for Action 2004-2007 217KB (without tables)
Caring for Carers in the ACT - A Plan for Action 2004-2007 217KB (without tables)

Carer Recognition Grants Program 2004-05 36KB grant recipients announced September 2004

Carers Implementation Partnership - Terms of Reference and Membership 35KB

The Caring for Carers Policy

The Caring for Carers Policy is an ACT Government committment which seeks to acknowledge carers and address their needs. The policy was developed by the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services in consultation with carers, people receiving care, carer support organisations and representatives from ACT and Commonwealth Governments. It was released on 11 December 2003.

To access the Caring for Carers Policy or background information please click on the following links:

Background information: (The following documents are in RTF format).

Carers ACT has released the Carers Information Kit: Carer Information for Service Providers and Health Professionals. Please visit http://www.carersact.asn.au for further information.