Reboot of NDIS Welcomed by Carers WA

Reboot of NDIS welcomed by Carers WA

Carers WA is calling for the inclusion of Western Australian (WA) carers in the announced ‘reboot’ of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). 

“The ongoing difficulties faced by NDIS participants have been and continue to be a significant source of stress for WA carers,” Carers WA CEO Richard Newman said. 

“Despite the significant role which carers play in supporting the independence of those they care for, carers are only recognised and identified on an ad-hoc basis by the NDIA and in the NDIS system. This is an oversight which needs to be rectified in the ‘reboot’ and review of the NDIS,” Mr Newman said.

To read more, click here.

Carer Spotlight

Jada's Story

“Follow your dream. Sometimes it may be tough but you’ve got to just try again and again. Don’t give up.” These are the words of 15-year-old Noongar Yorga young carer and up and coming netball champion, Jada.

Jada is the eldest of 4 siblings and carer for her younger sibling with Autism. When she’s not taking on extra responsibilities to care for her family, mentor her younger siblings and attend school, she is out on the netball court smashing goals.

In 2022, the Young Carer team at Carers WA were able to work closely with Jada to explore her aspirations and goals and to overcome some of the barriers that were holding her back. They also worked closely with her school to advocate for opportunities to accommodate her caring role. 

As her natural talent on the netball court quickly showed, she progressed to playing for Western Heat WA Indigenous Netball. She even went on to be selected to represent the team at the WA state finals in 2022.

We are now cheering her on as she applies for a place at SEDA College which will set her up for a future in professional sport with opportunities to join teams like West Coast Fever.

To read Jada's full story click here. 

To register a young carer click here. 

Events 

Carer Representation Orientation

Use your experience as a carer to stand up for and represent the voice of carers in your community. Attend our upcoming Carer Representation Orientation, a half-day information session, which shows how your lived experience can influence change.

Benefits of the Carer Representation Program include the opportunity to meet and discuss issues with other carers, learn new skills, develop confidence, make a real difference to the way carers are treated in the health and mental health systems – and so much more!

When: Monday, 22nd May 2023 | 9.30am - 1.30pm.
Where:  The Carers Centre | 182 Lord Street, Perth.

To register your interest click here. 

Carers WA New Social Support Groups

Join us and take a short break from your caring role to meet others in your local community. Linking Together Social Support groups meet once a month across various locations in metro and regional WA.

Your coffee/tea will be paid for by Carers WA giving you the opportunity to share your experiences with like-minded carers.

New groups are starting soon in Ellenbrook, Pinjarra and Fremantle.

To view a list of our current groups or to register your interest to join a group in your area click here.

Be Job Ready - Bunbury 

Carers WA will be delivering a Be Job Ready Essentials two-day workshop during June 2023.

The sessions will provide realistic information and practical skills that can be used to apply for, secure and maintain employment such as:

• Identifying Hidden Skills
• Resume & Cover Letter Writing
• Interview Techniques
• Job Searching & Technology
• Job Retention Practices

Session 1: Monday, 12th June 2023 | 10.00am – 3.00pm.
Session 2: Tuesday, 13th June 2023 | 10.00am – 3.00pm.

If you live in or near Bunbury and would like free job ready support, register your interest here or phone 1300 227 377. 

2023 National Palliative Care Week Breakfast 

You are invited to join Palliative Care WA for Breakfast in Perth, Bunbury or Albany to hear from their international speaker Dr Naheed Dosani and expert panel members Dr Kevin Yuen, Theresa Kwok and Bernadette Nowak. 

When: Tuesday, 23rd May 2023 | 7.00am - 9.00am.
Where:  Perth - Fraser’s Kings Park – State Reception Centre | Bunbury - OR Quality Hotel Lighthouse | Albany - OR Hilton Garden Inn.
Cost: Costs vary. To find out more click here.

To register your interest or to find out more click here.

Get social with us

News & Updates

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week is this month – 27 May to 3 June with the theme "Be a Voice for Generations".

The theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.

This year, the speech bubble artwork, incorporates First Nations artwork by Graphic Artist Designer and a Bidjara and Wakka Wakka woman Danielle Leedie Gray. This has been deliberately graphically linked through the speech bubble tail to the word ‘generations’, so it becomes quite literally the voice of generations.

Additional support for young carers undertaking study

This month the Australian Government announced nearly $10 million of increased funding to support young carers to continue their education.

The Young Carer Bursary Program offers financial assistance to carers aged 12 to 25 to help with educational needs and resources and reduce their need to undertake paid work at the same time as their study and caring duties. 

The value of the bursary will increase from $3,000 to $3,768, including for those who are already receiving the bursary in 2023. Carers Australia will contact all the young carers who have a 2023 bursary about how and when they will receive the additional funds.

There will also be more bursaries awarded, increasing from 1000 to 1592 each year. Some of the applicants for the 2023 bursary who missed out due to the limit on the number of bursaries may now qualify. Carers Australia will contact those on our waiting list about the next steps in the coming weeks.

Applications for the 2024 Young Carer Bursary round will open on 18 July and close on 12 September 2023.

To stay up to date with information and opportunities for young carers, register with Carers WA here.

Prepare to Care Hospital Program in the Great South

This month, Carers WA was excited to welcome a new Great Southern Coordinator for our Prepare to Care hospital program.

They spent time in Albany, Katanning, Mt Barker, Denmark and Kojonup Hospital touring the hospitals and meeting with the staff.

They were able to share information about the Prepare to Care book and work with staff to help them to identify carers.

To find out more about the program or to download a copy of our Prepare to Care book click here.

Have your say as a carer and help reform disability legislation in WA.

If you are caring for a loved one with disability, we would like to invite you to provide feedback which will inform the review of the Disability Services Act 1993. 

The current legislation is almost 30 years old and the State's disability sector has undergone significant change during this time.

Key areas of contribution include:

• the principles applicable to people with disability;
• appropriate safeguards for people with disability;
• the access and inclusion needs of people with disability; and
• ongoing service provision for specific cohorts.

Input from those who are providing care for a person with disability will be a vital part of the consultation process. 

1. Complete an online survey based on the questions in the consultation paper.

2. Attend an in-person or online consultation session on Tuesday, 9th May 2023. To register your interest please email bianca.vavra@carerswa.asn.au.

Self-Identification as a Young Carer

How does self-identification as a young carer impact the social and economic participation of young people providing informal care in Western Australia?

You are invited to participate in this research project, which is investigating the self-identifying characteristics of young carers and associated effects. You are asked to take part in this project because you are aware of your carer role (even if you do not publicly identify it), are between the ages of 18-25 and are currently living in Western Australia.

All participants go in the draw to win a $50 voucher.

To find out more or to participate click here.