Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Carers

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, or who are frail aged.

12.4% of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population are carers, compared to 10.5% of the non-Indigenous Australian population.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers living in regional, rural, and remote areas often experience:

  • language and cultural barriers

  • geographic barriers in accessing health and welfare services

  • barriers to health literacy

The environmental, social, and economic impacts of living in these areas can often affect caring.