People who provide care outside of institutions to people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, and to those who are frail or aged, perform an important service. Unpaid informal carers provide services that might otherwise cost over $30 billion annually (Access Economics 2005).
In 1998, around 450,900 Australians were primary carers for people with long term health conditions, or were frail or aged. By 2003, this had increased, by 5%, to 474,600 people, growing much more slowly than both the overall population and the aged. The primary caring role most often falls to immediate family, with the vast majority (91%) of primary carers being either a partner, parent or child. Most of these carers (78%) lived with the person needing care. While many husbands, fathers and sons provide care, in 2003, 71% of primary carers were women.
Primary carers of the elderly and disabled, 2003
Relationship to recipient
Recipient of care
no.
% change since 1998
Wife
Lives with
114,700
9
Husband
Lives with
81,000
-5
Mother
Lives with
88,600
8
Daughter
Does not live with
47,400
-1
Daughter
Lives with
40,200
10
Son
Lives with
18,800
23
Son
Does not live with
16,200
31
Other female relatives
Does not live with
15,000
-12
Other female relatives
Lives with
11,700
-2
Father
Lives with
7,300
-30
Total(a)
474,600
5
(a) Total includes friends or neighbours and other male relatives.
Source: ABS data available on request, 1998 and 2003 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers
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CARING FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED
People who provide care outside of institutions to people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, and to those who are frail or aged, perform an important service. Unpaid informal carers provide services that might otherwise cost over $30 billion annually (Access Economics 2005).
In 1998, around 450,900 Australians were primary carers for people with long term health conditions, or were frail or aged. By 2003, this had increased, by 5%, to 474,600 people, growing much more slowly than both the overall population and the aged. The primary caring role most often falls to immediate family, with the vast majority (91%) of primary carers being either a partner, parent or child. Most of these carers (78%) lived with the person needing care. While many husbands, fathers and sons provide care, in 2003, 71% of primary carers were women.
since 1998
Source: ABS data available on request, 1998 and 2003 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers
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