COTA SA welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Carers Recognition (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2025. We acknowledge the significant contribution carers make to our community and strongly support legislative improvements that recognise and strengthen support for carers.

COTA SA has an interest in people who are affected by this act, both as carers and as those receiving care.

COTA SA has an ongoing survey, How are you going?, which helps to identify the issues and areas of concern for older people. Many people refer concerns they have, either in relation to their own caring responsibilities, or the concerns they have about requiring care – both now or into the future.

The types of challenges they reference in their answers are broad – they include physical, emotional, practical and financial challenges of caring for – or being cared for by – a partner, parent, child or grandchild as they age. Indeed, COTA continues to advocate for life navigation services to support people through these life changes.

We acknowledge the expertise of Carers SA, as the peak body in this area, and broadly support their submission to the amendment bill. Additionally, we make the following comments, to highlight the particular circumstances of older people.

COTA SA broadly supports the objectives of the proposed amendments, particularly the clearer definitions and broader recognition of carers, which now include a more diverse range of caring scenarios. In particular, we welcome the explicit mention of dementia within the proposed amendment, as dementia-friendly policies and communities are essential to realising the state’s goals articulated in South Australia’s Plan for Ageing Well 2022-2025.