Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers
On this webpage, ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’ and ‘First Nations’ are used to refer collectively to the first peoples of the lands on which we live and work. Where ‘Aboriginal’ or ‘Torres Strait Islander’ has been used, this has been done so intentionally to identify a specific group of people.
A carer is anyone who supports a family member or friend living with a disability, health condition, mental illness or who is older or ageing. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, caring often includes helping extended family and kin – like aunties, uncles, cousins, Elders and others in the community – as part of strong cultural and family responsibilities. Caring is often seen as a strength by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers.1 It is important to assist carers with finding and accessing support for themselves when needed.
About Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers
According to the 2021 Census, around 14.6% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW provide unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, health condition or due to old age, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders account for 3.6% of all carers in NSW.2
However, this may be an underestimate, as the 2022-2023 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey found that approximately one in six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 15 years and over living in NSW provide unpaid care to a person with disability or a long-term health condition.3
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers experience many of the same challenges as other carers, however, the care they provide is influenced by a range of unique historical, cultural, spiritual and socio-economic factors. Carers NSW has made a number of key recommendations to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers, including improved recognition, identification and opportunities for self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers, access to culturally safe, flexible and holistic services, tailored information to help improve awareness of carer supports and services available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers and ultimately, opportunities to increase their social and emotional wellbeing that takes cultural and spiritual factors into account.4
Carers NSW has more information available about the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers from the National Carer Survey, a survey conducted every two years with the support of the other State and Territory Carer Organisations. A First Nations carer module was included for the first time in the 2024 National Carer Survey, with tailored questions written for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers across Australia. In 2024, many carers reported through the Survey that yarning and learning from Elders, sustaining and sharing culture, and the preservation of language, values and traditional knowledge and practices were important to them.5
1 Caring about Care report, 2023
2 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 Census
3 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022-2023 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey
4 Carers NSW (2025). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Carers Policy Statement
5 Carers NSW (2024). 2024 National Carer Survey Fact Sheet: First Nations carers
Carers NSW First Nations Stakeholder Guide
A guide for engaging with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander carers aims to support service providers, practitioners, policymakers and workers who are looking to better understand, improve on existing engagement or begin engaging with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander carers.
Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers
Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers accept caring as a normal part of family and community life and may not think of themselves as carers. As a result, some carers may not be aware of the resources and support programs available.
- Carer Gateway - 1800 422 737 (Monday to Friday). Access to supports and services for all carers.
- Aboriginal Medical Services - Health and wellbeing support across NSW.
- Aboriginal Legal Service - 1800 765 767 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm). Legal support and advice.
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - 1800 800 110 (Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 8.00pm). Access to life-long supports and services for eligible people under 65 years of age with disability.
- My Aged Care - 1800 200 422 (Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 8.00pm, Saturdays 10.00am to 2.00pm). Access to supports in the home or community for people who are ageing or frail.
Useful resources
For available resources developed by Carers NSW, please visit the Resources page.
