Carers Tasmania

08/09/2026

💙 Know a Tasmanian business that truly supports its carers?

Maybe your boss made it work when caring got complicated. Maybe a local business goes out of its way for employees looking after a loved one. Tell us about them!

Anyone can nominate a business for the inaugural Carers at Work Tasmanian Business Awards — employees, carers, customers, anyone.

📧 Nominate online at www.carerstas.org/carers-at-work-business-awards by Thursday 1 October.

[Carers at work, National carers week 2026, Carers in Tasmania, Nominations open, Care2Serve]

02/09/2026

Calling all Tasmanian businesses! Do you support the family and friend carers in your workplace?

This National Carers Week (11–17 October), we're launching the inaugural Carers at Work Tasmanian Business Awards — celebrating Tasmanian employers who go above and beyond to create carer-inclusive workplaces.

Businesses can apply directly, or you can nominate a business you think deserves recognition!

📅 Applications and nominations close Thursday 1 October 2026

📧 Apply or nominate a business online at www.carerstas.org/carers-at-work-business-awards

🎉 Winners announced Wednesday 14 October during National Carers Week

[Carers at work, National Carers Week, Carer Inclusive, Tasmanian Business, Care2Serve]

27/08/2026

Join Palliative Care Tasmania for a special screening of Live the Life You Please, a wonderful documentary exploring palliative care, end-of-life experiences and what it means to live life to the full.

As part of our 2026 Conference week, Palliative Care Tasmania is bringing our community and conference delegates together for a special screening of Live the Life You Please - a moving Australian documentary explores what it means to live, age and die well.

Through the experiences of patients, families and healthcare professionals across Australia, it offers an honest, sometimes funny and deeply human perspective on ageing, palliative care and life’s final chapter. We hope the screening provides an opportunity to pause, reflect and continue important conversations about living well through every stage of life. 🧡

📅: Tuesday 8 September 2026
🕠: 5.30pm
📍: State Cinema, North Hobart
Tickets: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01jRVy0

The screening is open to everyone, whether you are attending the conference or joining us from the wider community. All proceeds will support Palliative Care Tasmania’s advocacy, education and sector development work across Tasmania.

24/08/2026

HAVE YOUR SAY - Access and Affordability of Medical Specialists for Carers

We’d like to hear about your experience accessing medical specialists, either as a carer or for the person you care for.

Your feedback will help inform Carers Tasmania’s submission to the Australian Parliament’s Inquiry into Access to and Affordability of Medical Specialists.

Topics we'd like to hear about:

ACCESS TO SPECIALISTS
Can you or the person you care for access the specialists you need?
How long do you wait for specialist appointments?
Does where you live affect access to specialists?

REFERRAL PATHWAYS
Is it easy to get referred to a specialist?
What barriers have you experienced when seeking referrals?

AFFORDABILITY
Can you afford specialist appointments and tests?
Have costs stopped you from accessing specialist care?

DELAYS AND IMPACTS
How have specialist waiting times affected you and the person you care for?
Has travel for this support created challenges for you?

INNOVATIVE MODELS OF CARE
Would telehealth improve access to specialist care?
What changes would make specialist care easier to access?

CARER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
How involved are you in specialist healthcare decisions?
What help do you need to navigate these services?
How has accessing specialist care affected your caring role?
What would improve specialist care for carers and those you support?

To comment, please visit our feedback page: https://carerstas.org/contact-us/have-your-say/
Email: [email protected]
Or phone: 03 6144 3717

If you would like to learn more about the Inquiry, please visit this website: https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/About_the_House_News/Media_Releases/Inquiry_into_access_and_affordability_of_medical_specialists

20/08/2026

Carers Tasmania’s 2023 submission to the Tasmanian ADHD Inquiry highlighted the impacts that ADHD can have not only on people with ADHD but also on their carers. We called for carers to be better recognised and supported, alongside improved access to assessment, treatment, medication, behavioural supports, school-based assistance, NDIS consideration, lived experience input, research, and stigma reduction.

The Committee has now released its Report, which reflects many of these concerns, including long wait times, high costs, workforce shortages and inconsistent access to support. Carers Tasmania’s submission was referenced several times in the Report, which includes recommendations for government. We encourage continued commitment to improving the lives of people with ADHD in Tasmania and those who care for them.

Read our submission:https://carerstas.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Carers-Tasmania-submission-on-the-Senate-Inquiry-into-ADHD-2023.pdf

Read the Committee Report:https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/109678/GAB-ADHD-Inquiry-Final-Report-TABLING.pdf

Let us know what you think about our advocacy via our 3-question survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RCLGPSL

Send a message to learn more

18/08/2026

CLOSING 25 AUGUST - Applications for the Carers Small Grants Program.

Grants of up to $2,500 are available to eligible organisations for projects that make a meaningful contribution to the recognition, health and wellbeing of carers.

To find out more and apply, visit the Service Tasmania: www.service.tas.gov.au/community-grants/carers-small-grants-program

Applications close 25 August 2026.

Applications for the Carers Small Grants Program are now open.

Grants of up to $2,500 are available to eligible organisations for projects that make a meaningful contribution to the recognition, health and wellbeing of carers.

To find out more and apply, visit the Service Tasmania website linked in the comments below.

Applications close 25 August 2026.

Carers Tasmania

Image description: A grey square with wording to announce applications for the Carers Small Grants Program are open.

11/08/2026

Have you ever had to take time off work to care for a family member? Do you know what leave entitlements you may be able to access?

In this ABC News article, Daniel Johnson explores the rights of permanent employees when taking personal leave to care for someone close to them, including exactly who is considered ‘immediate family’.

You can also hear more discussion about this topic on ABC Radio Breakfast Tasmania, where David Reilly speaks with Carers Tasmania: www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/hobart-breakfast/breakfast/107012222

A few facts about carers leave from the National Employment Standards:

- Sick leave and carers leave fall under the banner of personal leave.
- Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid sick and carers leave (personal leave).
- 10 days per annum are available for full-time employees, and a pro-rata for amount is available for part-time employees depending on their contracted hours. Leave accrues throughout the year and carries over from one year to the next.
- Casual employees are only entitled to unpaid leave.
- Carers leave can be taken due to illness, injury, or an unexpected emergency for a member of the immediate family.

The definition of immediate family is as follows:

For the purposes of carer's leave, an immediate family member includes a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling of the employee's spouse or de facto partner, as well as any person living in the same household.

Some businesses, particularly those who are ‘carer friendly’ workplaces under the Carer Inclusive Workplace Initiative or the Carers Plus Employers program have additional carers leave entitlements. Some businesses may also have their own enterprise agreement with additional entitlements but leave entitlements must at least meet the minimum standards as outlined in the National Employment Standards.

If you are a carer looking to get into education, employment, or volunteering, Care2Serve have a free pre-employment program for carers.

Carers Australia, Carers NSW, Care2Serve

When it comes to taking time off work for your own personal illness or injury, you probably have some idea of what your entitlements are. But when it comes to needing time off to care for others, you may be more unsure of your rights.

10/08/2026

Have you ever said...

💬 "I'm just helping Mum."
💬 "It's only a few hours a week."
💬 "Anyone would do the same."

You may be a carer.

Across Australia, millions of people quietly provide unpaid care to someone they love. They organise appointments, manage medications, provide transport, help with personal care and offer emotional support.

This Census, the Australian Bureau of Statistics is asking about unpaid caring responsibilities to help ensure carers are seen, recognised and counted.

Carers receiving Carer Allowance or Carer Payment should also select “yes, provided unpaid care, help or assistance”.

Learn more at abs.gov.au/census and share this post to help others recognise they may be carers too.

10/08/2026

📣 Sharing the Tasmanian carer voice on national issues

Carers Tasmania advocates for carers across both Tasmanian and national reforms. A lot is happening nationally, and we have recently been involved in:

Senate Inquiry into the Support at Home Program

Our submission:https://carerstas.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Carers-Tasmanias-Submission-to-the-Support-at-Home-Program-Inquiry-2026.pdf

Participation in the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee hearing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7qAvrgp8fE

NDIS Amendment Bill

Our submission:https://carerstas.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Carers-Tasmanias-Submission-on-the-National-Disability-Insurance-Scheme-Amendment-Securing-the-NDIS-for-Future-Generations-Bi.pdf

Senate Inquiry into Epilepsy in Australia

Our submission:https://carerstas.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Carers-Tasmanias-Submission-to-the-Senate-Inquiry-into-Epilepsy.pdf

07/08/2026

Are you caring for someone who has served in the Australian Defence Force?
Care2Serve would like to hear about what kind of events or activities would make a difference for you. Suggestions might highlight the need for a local support group, social activities, specialised workshops, or an opportunity to connect with other carers who understand what you're going through.

Send your suggestions by completing a short survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q2LSMLB

Or email us at [email protected]

Are you caring for someone who has served in the Australian Defence Force?

We would like to hear about what kind of events or activities would make a difference for you.

Suggestions might highlight the need for a local support group, social activities, specialised workshops, or an opportunity to connect with other carers who understand what you're going through.

Send us your suggestions by completing a short survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q2LSMLB

Or email us at [email protected].

[Veterans Hub, RSL, Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling, ADF, mental health carers, carers in Tasmania, 1:6]