The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified a lack of support for informal (unpaid) carers, including challenges balancing their caring role with work and other commitments.
In response, the Government asked the Productivity Commission to examine the economic and social costs and benefits of providing an extended unpaid leave entitlement to informal carers of older Australians under the National Employment Standards (NES).
LHA supports the important role of informal carers and the proposal for improved access to unpaid carer leave. Many LGBTI older people need support from friends or family due to anticipated and actual experiences of discrimination within formal care settings. However, informal care must not be a substitute for systemic reform to ensure LGBTI older people can access culturally safe and appropriate formal care.
LHA’s submission particularly called for diverse ‘family of choice’ to be recognised when providing carer leave. It called for protections against inappropriate and unnecessary disclosure of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status in the workplace.
The Productivity Commission will prepare a draft report by January 2023. For further information see: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/carer-leave