Carers (Recognition) Act 2008 (Qld)

Carers (Recognition) Act 2008

An Act to provide for the recognition of carers and the important contribution they make to the community

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Carers (Recognition) Act 2008.

2 Commencement This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

3 Act binds all persons This Act binds all persons, including the State.

4 Objects of Act The objects of this Act are— (a) to recognise the valuable contribution by carers to the people they care for; and (b) to recognise the benefit, including the social and economic benefit, provided by carers to the community; and (c) to provide for the interests of carers to be considered in decisions about the provision of services that impact on the role of carers; and (d) to establish the Carers Advisory Council.

5 Definitions In this Act— carer see section 6. carers charter see section 7. council means the Carers Advisory Council established under section 11. public authority means— (a) a department; or (b) a statutory body. statutory body see the Financial Accountability Act 2009, section 9.

6 Meaning of carer (1) A carer is an individual who provides, in a non-contractual and unpaid capacity, ongoing care or assistance to another person who, because of disability, frailty, chronic illness or pain, requires assistance with everyday tasks. (2) Also, a grandparent is a carer of his or her grandchild if— (a) the child lives with the grandparent; and (b) the grandparent is the primary care-giver and decision-maker for the child. (3) However, if a child's parent or parents remain the primary care-givers and decision-makers for the child, the child's grandparent is not the child's carer only because— (a) the grandparent cares for the child while the child's parent or parents are working; or (b) the child, together with the child's parent or parents, lives with the grandparent. (4) For the purpose of this Act, a person is not a carer— (a) only because the person is the spouse, parent or guardian of a person to whom care is provided; or (b) if the person provides the care or assistance as a volunteer for a voluntary organisation.