More than 8,200 unpaid carers across New South Wales are expected to take part in community events during National Carers Week, supported by almost $215,000 in state grants.
A total of 125 events will be held across NSW around National Carers Week, which runs from 11 to 17 October 2026.
The events are being funded through the NSW National Carers Week Grants Program, which provides grants of between $1,000 and $2,000 for community activities aimed at recognising carers and reducing social isolation.
Almost One Million Unpaid Carers in NSW
NSW has approximately 958,500 unpaid carers, according to figures cited by Carers NSW from Australian Bureau of Statistics data.
That represents close to one in eight NSW residents providing unpaid support to a family member or friend living with disability, mental illness, chronic or terminal illness, or age-related frailty.
Unpaid carers can provide a wide range of support, including personal care, transport, medication management, emotional support and assistance with everyday activities.
Grants Support Activities Across the State
Funded activities range from wellbeing programs and workshops to community lunches, cultural events and social gatherings.
Examples include:
- $2,000 for the Latin American Multicultural and Community Centre of Australia for a carers event in Marrickville
- $2,000 for NSW Health’s Waves of Wellness event in Camden
- $2,000 for Bathurst Local Aboriginal Land Council for an Elders wellbeing and appreciation event
- $2,000 for Royal Rehab’s Carers Wellness Week in Ryde
- $1,089 for Canada Bay Libraries to run Carers Week activities in Concord and Five Dock.
The grants program received 217 applications, with the NSW Government grants register showing 128 approved applications.
Economic Value of Unpaid Care Estimated at $77.9 Billion
The contribution of unpaid carers extends well beyond formal support services.
Separate research by Deloitte Access Economics estimated that unpaid carers across Australia provided nearly 2.2 billion hours of care in 2020.
Replacing that unpaid care with equivalent paid services would have cost an estimated $77.9 billion a year.
The figures are national estimates rather than NSW-specific data and are based on 2020 modelling.
Carers NSW currently estimates that carers in NSW alone provide around 11.8 million hours of unpaid care each week, with a replacement value of more than $25 billion annually.
National Carers Week Runs From 11 to 17 October
National Carers Week is held annually to recognise people who provide unpaid care and support.
More than 3 million people across Australia currently provide unpaid care, according to Carers Australia and Carers NSW.
The 2026 NSW grants program is focused on activities that encourage carers to connect with others, access wellbeing support and increase their visibility within local communities.
Events funded through the program can be held during National Carers Week or within one week either side of the official dates.
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