News

The findings from the Carer Wellbeing Survey highlights the significant impact that caring responsibilities have on wellbeing, social connection, and quality of life. 

The survey suggests that increasing hours of unpaid caring are associated with poorer wellbeing outcomes. Among carers providing 40 hours or more of care each week, only 28% reported healthy levels of wellbeing, indicating that intensive caring responsibilities can place substantial pressure on carers’ physical, emotional and mental health.

Evidence suggests that unpaid carers are increasingly filling gaps in support services. Research involving carers of older people receiving the Support at Home Program found that caring workloads had increased, and approximately half of respondents reported a decline in their wellbeing. This highlights concerns that changes to support systems may result in greater demands being placed on unpaid carers.

The survey also found that carers supporting a child or grandchild with a disability, illness, or developmental challenges reported some of the lowest wellbeing levels of any caring group. Only 20% reported healthy wellbeing, suggesting these families may require additional practical, emotional and social support.

Social Connection and Loneliness

Unpaid carers contribute an estimated $78 billion annually to Australia’s economy through the care they provide. Their contribution underpins health, aged care, disability, and community support systems, yet many continue to experience significant strain and unmet support needs.

The survey highlights substantial challenges related to social connection and community participation:

• 63% of carers do not feel part of their community
• Only 12% feel more connected to their community since becoming a carer
• 43% often or always feel lonely
• A further 33% sometimes feel lonely

Despite the challenges, many carers report positive aspects of their caring role:

• 48% say being a carer contributes to their sense of meaning and purpose
• 40% describe caring as a positive experience

These findings remind us that while caring can be demanding, it can also provide a strong sense of connection, fulfilment and personal value.

Why These Findings Highlight the Importance of Volunteers

The survey findings clearly demonstrate that many carers need greater social, emotional and practical support. The findings are particularly relevant to palliative care, where family members often provide intensive care over extended periods while coping with uncertainty, grief and loss.

Palliative care volunteers help alleviate some of this burden by:

• Providing companionship to patients and carers
• Offering respite that allows carers time to attend appointments, rest or care for themselves
• Supporting families during periods of serious illness
• Reducing social isolation and loneliness
• Assisting with emotional and practical support
• Helping families remain connected to their community

The Carer Wellbeing Survey reminds us that carers are a vital yet often under-supported part of Australia’s health and care system. While carers provide extraordinary support to others, they too need support, connection and recognition. Volunteers play an important role in meeting these needs, helping carers feel less alone and enabling them to continue their caring role with greater confidence, resilience and wellbeing.

Supporting Families of Children with Life-Limiting Conditions

The survey’s finding that carers of children and grandchildren with disability, illness or developmental challenges report particularly low wellbeing highlights the importance of volunteer support in paediatric palliative care.

Paediatric palliative care volunteers can provide valuable support through:

• Family-centred companionship
• Sibling support activities
• Practical assistance for parents
• Opportunities for respite and self-care
• Social connection during periods of prolonged caring

For families caring for a child with a life-limiting illness, the support of trained volunteers can help reduce feelings of isolation, strengthen community connections, and contribute to overall family wellbeing.

The Carer Wellbeing Survey reminds us that carers are a vital yet often under-supported part of Australia’s health and care system. While carers provide extraordinary support to others, they too need support, connection and recognition. Volunteers play an important role in meeting these needs, helping carers feel less alone and enabling them to continue their caring role with greater confidence, resilience and wellbeing.