Many carers don't use the word ‘carer' to describe themselves. Yet each one of us is likely to become a carer for a family member or friend at some stage in our lives.

Carers come from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds and age groups.

Carers exist in all communities, including Aboriginal communities, those of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQI+* communities, and throughout metropolitan, regional, rural and remote NSW.

Across NSW, there are approximately 854,300 carers, including individuals as young as eight years of age through to the very elderly.

For many, caring is a 24 hour-a-day job with emotional, physical and financial impacts that can also affect their participation in employment, education and community activities.

Many people in caring roles do not identify as carers and as such are often not aware of services and supports that can assist them. These individuals are often referred to as ‘hidden carers'.