Three million Australian carers are at the heart of families, communities, and support networks across the nation. Every day, they provide invaluable care, support and compassion that helps loved ones thrive.
National Carers Week 2026 is a chance to celebrate these contributions, raise awareness of the caring role, and encourage Australians to recognise and support carers in their communities. Centred on the theme "Care for a Carer: Making Carers Visible," this week aims to spark conversations about the importance of recognising carers and supporting their wellbeing throughout the year.
One of the biggest challenges facing carers is that many don't recognise themselves as carers. They see what they do as simply being a parent, partner, child, sibling, friend, or family member. Many carers miss out on support, services and resources that could help them in their caring role. Making carers visible starts with helping people understand who unpaid carers are and how caring can impact upon their wellbeing.
Carer visibility matters because recognition is often the catalyst that helps carers access services, connect with their community and find the support they need to sustain their wellbeing, an addition to supporting the person they care for.
Services such as the Carer Gateway Forum, National Phone Counselling Service, Respite and Coaching help carers gain support, reduce stress, and connect with others gaining a sense of belonging. Each service exists to build confidence, develop practical coping strategies and access support tailored to each carer’s individual circumstances.
If you care for a loved one, reaching out for support to Carer Gateway can be highly beneficial. Carers can call 1800 422 737 and select Option 2 for phone counselling and Option 1 for face-to-face support services in their local area.
For those looking to connect with other carers online across Australia, the Carer Gateway Forum Website provides a 24/7 online community where carers can share experiences, exchange caring tips and find support from people facing similar challenges.
As we celebrate National Carers Week 2026, the theme Care for a Carer: Making Carers Visible reminds us of the importance of recognising and supporting carers every day. By supporting carers to reach out for support and connect with others, carers do not have to care alone.