The term ‘carers’ refers to individuals who provide unpaid care and support to family members or friends who require assistance with daily living due to various factors like disability, illness or frailty. While caring can offer fulfilment, many carers experience challenges that negatively impact their wellbeing.
Psychological and social wellbeing of carers
- 32.5% of carers have high psychological distress, compared to 16.9% of the general adult population in Australia
- 40.3% of carers have high levels of loneliness, compared to 13.8% of the general adult population in Australia
- 16.3% of carers in Australia describe their financial situation as poor or very poor, in contrast to 5.7% of the general Australian population
- 17.2% of carers in Australia rate their health as good or excellent, compared with 45.9% of the general Australian population.
Source: Carer Wellbeing Survey 2024.
Carer demographics in Boroondara
The Census asks everyone who is 15 years and over to report whether they spent time providing unpaid care, help or assistance to family members or others because of disability, a long-term illness or problems related to old age in the 2 weeks prior to the Census.
- 14.3% of Boroondara residents aged 15+ are carers, higher than the Greater Melbourne rate of 12.6%
- 60.0% of carers in Boroondara are female
- 24.3% of Boroondara residents aged 50 to 69 are carers.
Source: 2021 Census.