Carers Recognition Act 2006

The objects of this Act are:

(b) to provide for the reporting by organisations of the action taken to reflect the principles of the Carers Charter in providing relevant services.

In this Act:

applicable organisation means:

(b) an entity providing relevant services under a contract with a reporting organisation (other than a contract of employment); or

(c) another entity declared by regulation to be an applicable organisation.

carer, see section 5.

Carers Charter means the Northern Territory Carers Charter in the Schedule.

relevant services means services relevant to carers and the persons they care for.

reporting organisation means:

(b) another entity declared by regulation to be a reporting organisation.

(1) A person is a carer if the person is an individual who provides ongoing care or assistance to:

(a) a person who has a disability as defined in the Disability Services Act 1993; or

(b) a person who has a chronic illness, including a mental illness as defined in the Mental Health and Related Services Act 1998; or

(c) a person who, because of frailty, requires assistance with the carrying out of everyday tasks; or

(2) However, a person is not a carer if the person provides the care or assistance:

(b) in the course of doing community work organised by a community organisation.

(a) is a spouse, de facto partner, parent, guardian or decision maker (as defined in section 3 of the Advance Personal Planning Act 2013) of the person to whom the care or assistance is being provided; or

(b) provides care to a child who is in the person's care under the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007.

Part 2 Compliance with Carers Charter

(1) An applicable organisation must take all practicable measures to ensure the organisation and its officers, employees or agents:

(b) take action to reflect the principles of the Charter in providing relevant services of the organisation.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), an applicable organisation that is an Agency must consult carers, or entities that represent carers, in:

(b) strategic or operational planning, relevant to carers and the persons they care for.

(1) A reporting organisation must prepare a report on the following for each financial year:

(c) the organisation's compliance or non-compliance with the Carers Charter;

(d) the compliance or non-compliance with the Carers Charter of any entity providing a service to others under a contract with the organisation;

(2) The report may be combined with another annual report of the organisation.

(a) give a copy of the report to the Minister within 3 months after the end of the financial year to which the report relates; and

(b) ensure a copy of the report is available for inspection by the public at the organisation's office during business hours.

Part 3 Miscellaneous matters

The Minister must, within 5 years after the commencement of this Act:

(b) table a copy of the report of the review in the Legislative Assembly.

Schedule Northern Territory Carers Charter

section 4, definition Carers Charter

1. Carers must be treated with respect and dignity.

2. Carers must be acknowledged as individuals with their own needs within and beyond the role of carer.

3. The diversity of carers' individual needs must be acknowledged and identified, taking into consideration cultural and linguistic differences, age, disability, religion, socioeconomic status, gender identification and where people live. In particular, it is important to recognise the needs of Aboriginal carers and children and young people who are carers.

4. Carers must receive information on their rights when dealing with Agencies.

5. The role of carers must be formally recognised by including carers in the assessment, planning, delivery and review of services that impact on them and their caring role.

6. 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 their caring role.

7. Programs and services for carers must be responsive, coordinated and appropriate.

8. Complaints made by carers about services that impact on them and the role of carers must be properly considered.