LGBTQIA+ carers

LGBTQIA+ refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual and/or aromantic, with the + representing other bodily, gender and sexuality diverse identities.

On this webpage, the acronym ‘LGBTQIA+’ is used to refer collectively to the community as a whole. Different acronyms are used for particular research, policies or data in which only specific parts of the community are the subject. Carers NSW recognises and respects the distinct differences across individual identities within LGBTQIA+ communities.

A carer is anyone who supports a partner, friend, or family member who is living with a disability, health condition, mental illness or who is older or ageing. For LGBTQIA+ communities, this can include caring for chosen family – not just biological relatives.

About LGBTQIA+ carers

Anyone in life can find themselves in the role of a carer. There is limited data available on LGBTQIA+ carers, largely because the Australian Bureau of Statistics has not consistently collected information on diverse gender identities and sexual orientation. However, the 2022 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) reported that around 3% of primary carers nationally described their sexual orientation as gay, lesbian, bisexual or a different term such as asexual, pansexual or queer (LGB+),¹while the 2024 National Carer Survey found that 5.6% of all respondents nationally identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, sexuality or gender diverse (LGBTQ).²LGBTQIA+ carers are often hidden carers, as they may be hesitant to disclose their caring role due to fear of stigma or discrimination, or their caring relationships may not be recognised by their service providers, employers or communities.

Sexuality and gender diverse carers face the full range of challenges that all carers experience, but they may also come up against additional issues that impact on their caring role. Carers NSW has made a number of key recommendations to improve outcomes for LGBTQIA+ carers, including increasing awareness and recognition of their caring role and the specific needs they have, improved inclusion in mainstream services, tailored LGBTQIA+ carer services and health and wellbeing initiatives, and promoting LGBTQIA+ carer rights in the workplace.³

Carers NSW has more information available about the experiences of LGBTQ+ carers from the National Carer Survey, a survey conducted every two years with the support of the other State and Territory Carer Organisations. The findings from the 2024 National Carer Survey demonstrate the importance of improving recognition for LGBTQIA+ carers. In 2024, LGBTQ+ carers reported feeling significantly less recognised for their caring role compared to other carers who responded to the Survey, especially by community and government, and were less likely to be included by formal care services than other carers.⁴

¹ Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC)

² Carers NSW (2025). 2024 National Carer Survey: Summary report

³ Carers NSW (2025). LGBTQIA+ Carers Policy Statement

⁴ Carers NSW (2025). 2024 National Carer Survey Fact Sheet: LGBTQ carers

Carers NSW LGBTQIA+ Stakeholder Guide

A guide for engaging with LGBTQIA+ carers aims to support service providers, practitioners, policymakers and workers who are looking to better understand, improve on existing engagement or begin engaging with LGBTQIA+ carers

Support for LGBTQIA+ carers

If you regularly help someone in your life, you might be a carer and you might not realise that there is support available.

Carer Gateway - 1800 422 737 (Monday to Friday). Access to supports and services for all carers.

More information about Carer Gateway

QLife - 1800 184 527 or webchat (7 days, 3.00pm to 12.00am). Anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral.

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia - 02 7209 6301 (Monday to Friday). Programs to help LGBTIQ+ people manage their health and access inclusive health services.

ACON - 02 9206 2000 (Monday to Friday). Information, counselling and support.

Twenty10 - 02 8594 9555 (Tuesday to Friday, 1.00pm to 3.00pm). Specialist support for young people aged 12-25 years.

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.

More information about the NDIS

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.

More information about My Aged Care