First Nations Carers
Acknowledgement of Country
Carers SA acknowledges the traditional custodians of all the lands on which we meet, work and live and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
We acknowledge the impact of history and understand and recognise the cultural strength, diversity and continual connection with the land, waters and community of the traditional custodians.
At Carers SA we acknowledge the history and current realities of First Nations people and understand our individual and collective responsibility towards creating inclusive, culturally safe services and programs for First Nations Carers.
How we work with community
Our Aboriginal Community Team works with Carers across the state, and our Aboriginal Carer Panel guides how we reach and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Carers. The Panel’s advice shapes what we do, not just what we report.
We work with Aboriginal community controlled organisations under formal agreements, so decisions about how support is delivered in a community are made with that community, not for it. Those organisations hold the cultural authority in the places they work, and we share service and outcomes data with them on their terms.
Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
Carers SA is proud to have Reconciliation Australia endorse our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This plan is just one of the ways our organisation is demonstrating reconciliation in a meaningful and proactive way.
You might not call yourself a Carer
Looking after family is a normal part of life.
For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, looking after family is a normal part of life and part of cultural responsibility. It is often shared between several people rather than carried by one, and most people would just call it looking after family.
Because of that, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Carers do not know that support exists for them. Carers SA acknowledges and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kinship relationships. If you look after a family member or a friend living with disability, a medical condition, mental illness, or who is frail and aged, you can get support from Carers SA.
What is available
Free support, and no paperwork needed to prove you are a Carer.
Carer Gateway services are free. You do not need a referral, a diagnosis or a Carer Payment or Carer Allowance, and there is no minimum amount of caring you need to be doing.
Support includes counselling, peer support with other Carers, one-to-one navigational or other help with your caring role, planned and Emergency Respite when you need a break or when something unexpected happens, in-home support, and Tailored Support Packages which can pay for practical things that make caring easier.
Who you will work with
Workers who know how to walk alongside Aboriginal families
Carers SA has Aboriginal workers, and workers experienced in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, across the organisation. When you register or call, you can tell us you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and ask to speak with an Aboriginal worker. We will arrange this where we can, and otherwise you will work with someone experienced in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
We also work in partnership with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations who hold the cultural authority and community standing in the places they serve. On the APY Lands we work with NPY Women’s Council, whose Malparara way of working pairs a staff member with Aṉangu cultural knowledge, language and community authority alongside one with specific professional skills, so that Aṉangu voices guide the work. In metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia we work with KWY Aboriginal Corporation.
Register for Carer Gateway services