The Western Australian Carers Recognition Act 2004 (the Act) defines a carer as a person who provides ongoing care, support and assistance to a person with disability, a chronic illness (which includes mental illness) or who is frail, without receiving a salary or wage for the care they provide.
The Act recognises the role of carers in the community and includes the Western Australian Carers Charter, which outlines how carers are to be treated and how they are to be involved in delivering services that affect them and their caring role.
The four principles of the Western Australian Carers Charter are:
- Carers must be treated with respect and dignity.
- The role of carers must be recognised by including carers in the assessment, planning, delivery and review of services that impact on them and the role of carers.
- The views and needs of carers must be taken into account along with the views, needs and best interests of people receiving care when decisions are made that impact on carers and the role of carers.
- Complaints made by carers in relation to services that impact on them and the role of carers must be given due attention and consideration.