Vital funding for carers extended in SA

The announcement comes as the Commonwealth moves home care and disability funding to individualised care packages.

South Australian Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion Zoe Bettison says the continued funding of both initiatives until 2020 will ensure that services that support carers continue as the Commonwealth aged care reforms and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are rolled out.

“At a time of significant national transition and change through NDIS and Consumer Directed Care, the Commonwealth and State Governments are working together to reform the aged care and disability services sectors,” Minister Bettison says.

“The South Australian Government recognises the valuable work of the carer support services sector and the need for a continued viable sector for this important support to be provided to the carers in our community.”

She add that she is ‘very pleased’ to announce the continuation of funding which will ‘assist in the future planning of the provision of carer specific services in South Australia’.

As part of the funding continuation announcement, Carer Support Network SA will receive $6.2 million over two years to provide respite care, support and advocacy for carers, with the Community Passenger Network receiving State and Commonwealth funding totalling $2.9 million annually to run 15 outlets across SA that provide vital transport services for vulnerable South Australians.

Minister Bettison adds that South Australian carers provide an incalculable contribution to the lives of older South Australians and people living with disability and that the State Government will continue to support them  to support their loved ones.

Carers SA Chief Executive Officer David Militz has welcomed the continued funding for the state and says he is ‘ecstatic’ that Minister Bettison has recognised the vital role that carers play in the community.