There are many ways you can show your thanks for Australia’s unpaid carers and help raise awareness for everything they do.

One in eight Australians provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail aged.

Carers make an enormous contribution to our communities as well as the national economy and to show your appreciation visit the website, www.carersweek.com.au, and take a couple of minutes to say thanks.

By doing so, you can help demonstrate the considerable community support for Australia’s carers.

You can also help raise awareness by rounding up workmates, friends and family and drawing attention to who carers are, what they do and how they can access services and supports.

Organise a morning or afternoon tea, fundraiser or workshop to raise awareness of the diversity of carers and the roles they perform, and take advantage of the opportunity to inform friends and colleagues of the support services available to carers.

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Becoming a carer-friendly workplace and providing flexible working conditions for carers makes sense for employers and employees.

The Work and Care initiative helps employers attract and retain experienced workers by helping employee carers combine paid work with their caring role, and helps long-term carers on income support transition into employment when their caring role has ceased or is reduced.

There are many reasons carers work while providing unpaid care, from financial necessity to social interaction.

There will be times when balancing these two roles is challenging.

Help make sure Carers Count by ordering a Work and Care information pack and becoming a registered Carer‑Friendly Workplace.

Information from ABS and Carers Australia