Open Consultations
Surveys, Consultations and Representative roles – your voice makes a difference!
By speaking up about your experiences, you can inform decision making and service design, and create positive change for you, other carers and the whole community.
We invite you to have your say in the following open opportunities. If you wish to raise a specific issue, you can email the Advocacy team below.
Australian research company Catalyst recently conducted a large-scale consumer study on home care. Over 5,000 Australians gave their views, including 200 carers. However Catalyst is seeking more carers to be involved in its annual home care, retirement living and aged care surveys. If you’re interested in being part of this data collection, you can register to receive the surveys.
ReachOut are conducting an online research survey for parents/carers in Australia to tell us (confidentially) about the key issues you are concerned about, how they might impact the health and wellbeing of your child/ren, and how you might like to be supported to tackle these issues.
ADACAS and Advocacy for Inclusion have started a project to find the best ways to support parents with disabilities. The project will also look at the things that make it harder to be a parent with a disability.
Researchers at University of Queensland’s Centre for Clinical Research are working to improve neuropsychological assessments for earlier and more effective diagnosis of dementia in Parkinson’s disease.
In the first stage of the research, they are hoping to engage as many people as possible with Parkinson’s disease or who are caring for someone with Parkinson’s, that have taken part in cognitive or neuropsychological testing related to Parkinson’s disease.Reimbursement for participation will be provided by the researchers.For more information, visit https://clinical-research.centre.uq.edu.au/pdcognicare
The Mental Health, Justice Health, and Alcohol & Drug Services (MHJHADS) Division of Canberra Health Services (CHS) are reviewing how they currently support and treat people with co-occurring moderate to severe substance use disorders and moderate to severe mental illness, or co-occurring needs.
To inform this work, MHJHADS want to hear from people who may be experiencing, or have previously experienced, co-occurring needs, including their carers and/or family members.
Please provide your input via the survey: Co-occurring Needs Work Plan: Public Consultation (office.com)
If you would prefer to talk someone, please contact the Service and Transformation team at chs.mhjhadsserviceandtransformation@act.gov.au.
Your story, your impact!
Carers, don’t miss the chance to share your experiences through the Carer Wellbeing Survey. Your valuable insights shape the future of support for unpaid carers. Your input will help Carers Australia and the Australian Government better understand your needs and provide the support you deserve. The survey is voluntary, confidential and anonymous.
Let’s create positive change together! Click here to complete the 2024 Carer Wellbeing Survey
Canberra Health Services is seeking feedback on “Restrictive Practices for people NOT detained under the Mental Health ACT 2015”.
If you are interested, please contact mhcarers@carersact.org.au for more information.
Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol and Drugs Service is seeking feedback on “Welcome to Dhulwa Information Booklet”.
If you are interested, please contact mhcarers@carersact.org.au for more information.
Currently open is the review of the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit – Operational Procedure.
If you would like to contribute to this review please contact mhcarers@carersact.org.au for more details
Currently open is the review of the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit – Visitors to Dhulwa under the Mental Health (Secure facilities) Act 2016
If you would like to contribute to this review please contact mhcarers@carersact.org.au for more details
Currently open is the review of Dhulwa Mental Health Unit – Prohibited items under the Mental Health (Secure facilities) Act 2016 and Restricted items in Dhulwa
If you would like to contribute to this review please contact mhcarers@carersact.org.au for more details
Consultation is open on the Justice Health Operational Guideline – Alexander McConochie Centre.
If you wish to read and comment on the document please email mhcarers@carersact.gov.au for details.
Join in shaping the future of aged care. The Department of Health and Aged Care invites feedback on the new Aged Care Act. This significant legislation, with its exposure draft released on 14 December 2023, is open for public consultation until 16 February 2024. Your insights are crucial, especially if you’re connected to aged care as a carer or family member. Learn more about how to participate in surveys, webinars, workshops, and send your submissions at Consultation on the new Aged Care Act | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
The ACT Government is holding an inquiry into the prevalence of loneliness and isolation in the ACT community. Go to Inquiry into loneliness and social isolation in the act for more information.
Carers ACT is writing a submission to the Inquiry, looking at the impacts of loneliness and social isolation on carers. If you want to provide input to our submission, please get in touch via carer.advocacy@carersact.org.au by Friday 9th February 2024.
The ACT Government has identified a large block of land in Curtin suitable to build into a village style dementia care facility. Carers of people with dementia and other stakeholders are being invited to provide their feedback on the various design features of the proposed dementia care facility. Focus Group sessions will be held in November and December, and a survey is available until 7 February 2024. Visit Curtin Dementia Village Site | YourSay ACT for more information.
If you wish to contribute feedback to Eating Disorder Residential Treatment Model of Care, please contact mhcarers@carersact.org.au by 1 February for further details.
A 1-hour group virtual interview with seeking your views on challenges, successes and lessons learnt regarding DAP’s service delivery and your views on strengths, opportunities and gaps in community-based mental health ‘crisis’ support services.
ACT Health Directorate Nous Group has been engaged by the ACT Health Directorate to evaluate the Discharge Accommodation Program (DAP) and conduct a broader review good practice, opportunities and gaps for community-based mental health ‘crisis’ support services in the ACT. Contact Carers ACT for more information.
Australia is getting a National Carer Strategy to provide a framework for coordination of carer policy across Commonwealth portfolios including aged care, disability, veterans’ affairs and mental health. Carers from across the country are being invited to join the National Carer Strategy Advisory Committee, which will contribute to developing the strategy.
The Department of Social Services are seeking nominations for carers to join the Advisory Committee through an open EOI process until 29 January 2024. For more information, or to apply visit:
https://engage.dss.gov.au/national-carer-strategy-advisory-committee-expression-of-interest/
Nous Group has been engaged by the ACT Health Directorate to evaluate the Discharge Accommodation Program (DAP) and conduct a broader review good practice, opportunities and gaps for community-based mental health ‘crisis’ support services in the ACT.
Nous Group are asking for three representatives who have experienced DAP to attend a focus group. Contact mhcarers@carersact.org.au if you have current experience of this program as a carer and wish to contribute.
The Canberra Health Services (CHS) Division of Mental Health, Justice Health, and Alcohol & Drug Services (MHJHADS) has undertaken a review of the Adult Community Mental Health Model of Care.
If you wish to provide feedback on the Model of Care, please contact mhcarers@carersact.org.au for further information.
If you wish to provide feedback on this policy, please contact mhcarers@carersact.org.au for further information.
The Mental Health, Justice Health, and Alcohol & Drug Services (MHJHADS) division of Canberra Health Services has revised the Dhulwa Forensic Mental Health Inpatient Service Model of Care and is now welcoming your feedback. If you wish to contribute to the feedback please email mhcarers@carersact.org.au for details or provide direct feedback via Dhulwa Forensic Mental Health Inpatient Service – Model of Care – Feedback Form or emailing chs.mhjhadsserviceandtransformation@act.gov.au
Quality, Safety, Innovation, and Improvement division of Canberra Health Services are currently reviewing this guideline and invite you to provide feedback on this guideline.
Please email mhcarers@carersact.org.au for details if you wish to participate in this.
As a carer representative, you will play a vital role in providing oversight and leadership in the design, development, and implementation of the project. Your expertise and experience will contribute to establishing the Canberra Hospital Safe Haven and assessing the need for future expansions.
If you’re interested in this work, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at mhcarers@carersact.org.au by Friday, December 8th. Applicants with experience of the Safe Haven in Belconnen are particularly welcome.
The Reference Group is seeking a lived experience carer to contribute to the Review of the mental health needs of the ACT multicultural community (the Project).
If you are interested, please contact mhcarers@carersact.org.au for further details.
The Australian Government is creating a Disability Employment Centre of Excellence to improve employment outcomes for people with disability. A number of options for how the centre will operate have been developed and feedback is being sought from the community, including people with disability and carers.
A committee is examining the proposed Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2023 and is welcoming feedback via submissions until December 8th.
The Bill will regulate voluntary assisted dying (also known as VAD) in Canberra. VAD refers to a medical process that gives an eligible person the option to end their own suffering by choosing to administer a medication that causes death.
Carers are welcome to review the proposed legislation and share their views on how this may impact carers with our Policy and Advocacy Team, who will be lodging a submission representing collective carer voices. Please email carer.advocacy@carersact.org.au or phone 02 6296 9900 to share your feedback with the team before November 27th 2023.
Carers can also make their own submission directly to the committee before December 8th by visiting The ACT Legislative Assembly website.
The Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing is seeking a Lived Experience carer expert for mental health and support needs of people from multicultural communities reference group: The reference group will provide oversight and leadership in this area.For further information please reach out to mhcarers@carersact.org.au by Monday 13th November 2023
Representative position open: Safe Haven Expansion Steering Group. Are you a mental health carer looking for an opportunity to get involved in service planning? ACT Health currently has an open position for a lived experience carer representative on the ACT Safe Haven Expansion Project. For further information please reach out to mhcarers@carersact.org.au by Monday 13th November 2023
For comment: Canberra Health Services Guidelines: Forensic Consultation and Intervention Service. If you wish to comment on this guideline, please reach out to mhcarers@carersact.org.au by Monday 13th November 2023
The Department of Social Services is inviting people with autism, and their carers, to help develop a National Autism Strategy. The Strategy will be for all Autistic Australians. It will cover key reform areas including access to services, healthcare, education and employment. It will help to guide a more coordinated, national approach supporting Autistic people at each stage of life.
There are a variety of ways for people to participate, including submissions and in person forums, with one taking place in Canberra on October 10.
The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI) has been commissioned to support the shaping of the National Mental Health Lived Experience Consumer and Carers, Families, and Kin Peak Bodies. The purpose of these peak bodies is to involve those with lived experience in shaping policies and programs that impact them.
The ACT Health Directorate is currently calling for people to assist them with the Healthy Canberra: ACT Preventive Health Plan 2020-2025. The Plan aims to prevent chronic diseases by supporting people to choose lifestyle behaviours that reduce their risk of developing preventable diseases.
They want to hear about what action you think government can take to reduce chronic disease in the ACT and get your input on the second ACT Preventive Health Action Plan 2023-2025.
You can find out more HERE.
Are you a young Canberran who needs some extra support? Maybe you have used services such as youth drop-in centres, mentoring, counselling or family therapy?
Or are you a parent or carer of a young person in need of support? Or a frontline worker providing family or youth support?
Tell us about your experience of services and programs in the ACT in a short survey.
Join Carers ACT new consultation group and attend when it suits you.
Come along to our first Carers Collective! A chance to bring your caring experiences, ideas, and opinions on a range of topics. Cake and Coffee will be supplied to keep the ideas flowing.
Register by June 12 for our first Carer Collective on Friday 16 June 2023. Read more.
Canberra Health Services (CHS) are seeking carers in the ACT and surrounding region to preview draft creative concepts and share their thoughts through a 1-on-1 interview.
The individual interviews will be conducted over video conference (Zoom) and will be up to 45 mins. You will be paid $80 each for your time and effort. The interview slots will be between between Monday 29 May to Friday 23 June 2023, conducted by CHS’s research agency Bastion Insights.
To register your interest or get more information, please contact Paula.Lang@act.gov.au by Monday 12 June 2023.
Ministerial Advisory Council for Multiculturalism are now open, closing at midnight on 29 May 2023.
The Council will advise the ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs on the aspirations, needs and concerns and linguistically diverse backgrounds. People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with a deep and active connection to community are encouraged to nominate.
Volunteers are an important part of the aged care system freely giving their time, companionship, care, and support.
In 2021 the ACT Government introduced three new laws to make it an offence to:
- abuse a vulnerable person
- fail to protect a vulnerable person from a criminal offence
- neglect a vulnerable person.
To ensure these new laws are effective, the ACT Government is consulting with the Canberra community and key stakeholders on the three offences against vulnerable people to see if the offences are effective and if they can be improved.
Are you interested in changing the Mental Health Act 2015 (ACT)?
Join our consultation forum on April 13th, 2023 from 10:30am-12:30pm in meeting room 2 at 80 Beaurepaire Crescent Holt ACT or online via Teams.
Meet Chief Psychiatrist Dinesh Arya and his team, who will discuss the Act and answer questions.
A discussion paper with proposed amendments to the Act will also be available. These changes include Mental Health Act Order contraventions, transportation assistance for assessments, initial assessments after detention, and conditional release orders by ACAT. Contact mhcarers@carersact.org.au for a copy.
The Multiculturalism Act 2023 was recently established to support the Territory’s continuous growth and improvement as an inclusive city, celebrating our multiculturalism and diversity. Part of the Act enshrines a new Ministerial Advisory Council for Multiculturalism in law. Terms of Reference are now being developed.
The ACT Government believes all Canberrans should have end of life choices that align with their rights, preferences and values.
Consultation is now open to inform the development of a voluntary assisted dying model for the ACT.
Each year, the Carer Wellbeing Survey calls on current and past carers across Australia to tell us about their experiences of being a carer.