Carer information hub

National Carers Week 2025

Care for a Carer

National Carers Week is about recognising and celebrating the outstanding contribution Australia’s 3 million carers make to our nation.

This year National Carers Week will run from Sunday 12 – Saturday 18 October 2025.

Anyone at any time can become a carer. Across Victoria, more than 750,000 unpaid carers provide essential physical, emotional, and practical support — often without recognition, financial compensation, or respite. Their dedication forms the backbone of our health and social care systems, saving billions in public spending and enriching the lives of those they care for.

“Carers are mission-critical to our community, and we will all know one, need one or will be one,” Carers Victoria CEO, Judith Abbott

National Carers Week is an opportunity to raise community awareness about the diversity of carers and to reflect on, celebrate and acknowledge their extraordinary contribution in supporting family members and friends living with illness, disability, mental health conditions or ageing-related needs.

During National Carers Week we encourage the City of Port Phillip community to show your appreciation and care for carers through shining a light on their stories, advocating for their needs, and ensuring carers are seen, heard, and supported.

Below are some ideas of how you can help a carer today:

• Check in regularly
• Offer a break
• Acknowledge and appreciate
• Initiate support – ask them how you can help
• Encourage self-care

Information, resources and details about events related to Carers Week 2025 can be found via the links below, and your local community organisations

National Carers Week | 12 - 18 October 2025

We recognise and want to support you as a carer in our community. This online hub offers:

• information about the services and programs we provide
• local carer groups
• other resources that can support you.

We use 'carer' to describe someone who provides care to another person who has a disability, a mental illness, is older or has an ongoing medical condition (including terminal or chronic illness or dementia). This care is typically more than expected in their usual role as a family member, friend or neighbour, and is unpaid.

To learn more about carers, visit Carer Gateway.

List your group

Our Community Building Team can help. If you are a locally active, peer-led carer support group and would like to be listed (subject to eligibility), please contact us:

Tell us the details of your group on My Port Phillip

Phone: 03 9209 6777

Resources to support carers

• Alfred Health Carer Services - offers information, support and resources for carers and young carers (25 years and under) who provide ongoing unpaid personal care or support.
• Carer Card – state-wide discounts and benefits with participating businesses.
• Carer Gateway - practical advice and resources for carers.
• Carers Victoria - the state-wide voice for family carers, representing and providing support to carers in Victoria.
• Disability Liaison Officers at Alfred Health - can support patients with disability and their carers.
• Satellite Foundation - for children and young people where a parent has a mental illness or mental health challenge.
• Tandem - the state-wide group representing family and friends of people living with mental illness.
• StarHealth Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub - provides short to medium term support to anyone having a difficult time of feeling overwhelmed.