National Close the Gap Day is a reminder that equity is when systems listen to communities – and change in response to what they hear.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers play vital roles within families and communities across New South Wales. Yet too often, caring roles are not recognised by mainstream systems, engagement is not culturally safe, and support is offered late or not at all. When carers are not identified or recognised, inequitable outcomes persist.
The 2026 Close the Gap theme, Community Voices: The Pathway to Justice, Equality and Healing, speaks directly to this challenge. It reinforces that meaningful progress depends on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples having a genuine voice in how policies, services and systems are designed and delivered.
To support steps towards change, Carers NSW has launched A guide for engaging with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander carers. This guide was informed by consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers and translates lived experience into practical guidance for service providers, practitioners, policymakers and researchers engaging with carers.
The guide supports organisations to reflect on how they engage, and to strengthen culturally safe approaches that enable earlier identification of carers, respectful recognition of caring roles, and improved access to appropriate support. These are critical foundations for achieving more equitable outcomes for carers and the people they support.
This guide is a starting point, as part of an ongoing journey. It is a step toward systems that are more responsive, more respectful and more accountable to the communities they serve.
At Carers NSW, we remain committed to working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers, communities and partners to ensure that community voices continue to shape practice, policy and reform — not just today, but every day.
