Across the state more than 245,000 South Australians are providing unpaid care for family, friends and loved ones.
The people they look after may be living with a disability, mental health issues, chronic or terminal illness, alcohol or drug addiction, or they may be frail and ageing.
The care provided ranges from personal care to lifting, mobility, administering medication, banking, shopping or housework.
It’s vitally important work, which is why the state government is taking steps to better recognise those who provide unpaid care, with a review of the Carers Recognition Act now underway.
Led by the Department of Human Services, the review will assess if the Act adequately recognises and supports carers in their roles.
Following consultation, responses will inform recommendations to change the Act. DHS will then consider the recommendations and take appropriate action. 
Western suburbs pastor Allan Cleanthous (pictured right), 75, is a full-time carer for his wife Effie, who has mantle cell lyphoma.
Mr Cleanthous, who has health problems of his own, mostly joint and musculoskeletal issues from years of playing baseball at a high level, said caring was a 24-7 responsibility.
“I’ve been caring for Effie since 2015,” Mr Cleanthous said.
“In a nutshell, it changes your life completely. What we would like to have done, when I retired, was to actually have gone on a trip around Australia to appreciate this great country but financially that’s out of the question now.
“I’m a pastor, and as a pastor we’re trained to concentrate on the injured person and look after them. However, the carer’s wellbeing is actually critical to the injured person’s recovery – it’s a compounding domino effect.”
Mr Cleanthous said the help he’d received from Carers SA in recent years had been invaluable, and he only wished he’d discovered the organisation earlier.
He encouraged all carers to contribute to the review of the Carers Recognition Act so that those in charge could make informed decisions.
“There are tiers – some people might not need any help at all, some might need a lot of help,” Mr Cleanthous said.
“People should take a look at the survey and answer the questions because there are some very good questions in there. It always helps to have a variety of opinions.”
Carers SA CEO David Militz welcomed the review into the Act.
“Carers play an integral part in the community and are the foundation of Australia’s health, aged, disability, palliative, mental health and community care systems,” he said.
“The invaluable social and economic contribution that carers make to society should be recognised and supported. The review of this important legislation provides the opportunity to update and amplify the rights of South Australian carers now and into the future.
“It is imperative that the carer voice continues to be heard and recognised as part of this process.”
For more information and to have your say visit Carers Recognition Act Review by 15 December 2023. You can share your views by:
- Undertaking a short online survey
- Emailing carersactreview@sa.gov.au
- Attending a public forum at Cowandilla Community Room, on 27 November, 9.30am-11.30am. For more information and to register, visit Carers Recognition Act Review Public Forum | Humanitix .
If you help care for someone, support is available for you too. Visit Carers | DHS for details.
