The Palaszczuk Government is funding an almost $1m “Time for Grandparents” scheme to support the state’s unsung heroes of unpaid child care.
Seniors Minister Craig Crawford said one in every nine Queenslanders (more than 533,000 people) are unpaid carers.
“Grandparents dominate the world of unpaid child care,” Mr Crawford said.
“One in every four carers is aged over 65, many providing informal child care and some are primary carers of their grandchildren.
“Many do it out of good will and the love in their hearts.
“But it can also come at a personal cost of lower wellbeing, higher psychological distress and poorer physical health.”
The latest 2021 census shows seniors are the bedrock of the nation’s unpaid givers – the child minders, the volunteers, the carers – where about five million Australians aged over 15 do some form of unpaid support.
Mr Crawford said the “Time for Grandparents” scheme was on top of more than $725 million in 2022-23 provided by the Palaszczuk Government for concessions and rebates for seniors and other Queenslanders to help ease cost of living pressures.
“Grandparents – mostly baby boomers – are the heart and soul of our communities,” he said.
“They are the unsung heroes who provide significant emotional support for family members, some also provide financial and practical assistance.
“We know that being a carer is not an easy job.
“And that’s why in recognition of the contribution carers make, the Palaszczuk government is investing $961,084 in 2022–23 in the Time for Grandparents Program.
“We also support the Queensland Carers Advisory Council who inform us on how we can continue to help carers across Queensland.”
Time for Grandparents co-ordinator Rhett Chapman said the program provides advice and support to unpaid carers who have primary responsibility for raising their grandchildren.
“Time for Grandparents offers a Queensland wide confidential telephone information service that provides information, support and referrals to grandparents on 1300 135 500,” Mr Chapman said.
“Time for Grandparents also runs activities across the state to give children of eligible grandfamilies some fun and respite and down time for grandparents.”
