Carers Tasmania

Information and Support

Carer Policy and Research

Carer Support Groups

Advocacy

Education and Training

Promotion of Carer Issues

Membership Benefits



Head Office
"Westella"
181 Elizabeth Street
Hobart Tasmania 7000
Phone: (03) 6231 5507
Facsimile: (03) 6236 9236


Outreach Office
Shop 8 Jimmys Shopping Complex
216 Charles Street
Launceston Tasmania 7250
Phone: (03) 6334 9917
Facsimile: (03) 6334 9916


Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre
Freecall 1800 242 636


Email: catinc@carerstasorg

What is a Carer?
	A carer is someone who provides unpaid assistance for family members or friends with care needs. There are 2.3 million Australians providing care for family members or friends with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged. That represents 1 in every 5 households, but this number is an underestimate as many carers are hidden. Data is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 1998 Survey of Disability, Aging and Carers.
Tasmanian Carers
	There are 15,900 primary family carers in Tasmania.
	Tasmanian carers consist of 5,400 male and 10,500 female carers.
	There are 51,300 people who are not primary carers, yet providing some form of care support.
	6,100 of these carers are under 18 years of age, ie. 9% of the total carer population in Tasmania are under 18 years.
	Carers are of all ages, with 38% of primary carers aged between 33 - 55 years.
	Currently in Tasmania there are 75,000 people over the age of 60 years.
Carers Economic Contributions
	Conservative estimates show carers save the economy $16 billion annually.
	However in Tasmania approximately half (58%) of the 15,900 reported carers rely on a Government pension for income.
	Of Carers over 15 years, 13% of Tasmanian carers were participating in full and/or part time employment.
About the Care Situation
	83% of primary carers give combined reasons for taking on a caring role as having no alternative care options and felt they could provide better care.
	54% of primary, co-resident carers spent more than 40 hours a week in their caring role.
	Of the primary carers caring for more than 40 hours per week, 31% were aged 45 - 64 years.
Key Issues
	Many people do not identify as carers, and thus do not access information, services and supports.
	Compared to paid workers, carers are disadvantaged regarding health and safety, holidays, work, leisure and financial security.
	Many carers and the people they care for are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and experience additional difficulties.
Supporting Carers
	Information, support, counselling, education and training are available from Carers Tasmania and Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres on 1800 242 636
	Carer Respite Centre support carers across Tasmania on 1800 059 059

Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre
Is a statewide information and support service for carers, funded by the Commonwealth Government

FREECALL ACROSS TASMANIA 1800 242 636

A Commonwealth Funding Initative