About the role

The council provides advice to the Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence on work to promote the interests of carers and make recommendations to support carer recognition.

The council usually meets for a minimum of 4 hours, 3 times a year, during business hours in the Brisbane CBD. The role of members includes:

• working to advance the interests of carers and promote compliance by public authorities with the carers charter
• making recommendations to the Minister on enhancing compliance by public authorities with the carers charter
• providing general advice to the Minister on matters relating to carers
• carrying out other functions as directed by the Minister.

In between official meetings, members may be invited to contribute to out-of-session consultations or working groups to address particular issues.

Council members are appointed for a period of two years.

Unpaid carer members of the council are remunerated for attendance at official council meetings and all members are reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with participating in official council meetings in accordance with the Remuneration Procedures for Part-time Chairs and Members of Queensland Government Bodies.

Eligibility

Nominations are invited from Queensland residents who have an understanding of carers and their families, a strategic focus on carers’ issues and strong networks and involvement in their community. The following roles are available:

• 4 carers (1 must be a grandparent carer)
• 3 representatives from organisations that support carers
• 1 representative of grandparent carers
• 4 representatives from Queensland Government departments.

The Carers (Recognition) Act 2008 provides the following definitions:

• 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.
• A grandparent carer is a carer of their grandchild if the child lives with the grandparent and the grandparent is the primary care giver.

All carers and organisations that support carers are encouraged to nominate including:

• carers in rural or remote areas
• young carers, older carers, grandparent carers
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander carers
• carers with disability
• carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• carers of diverse sex, gender and sexuality.

It is not possible to nominate someone else for membership; however, if you know someone who would be a suitable representative, please make them aware of this opportunity and encourage them to apply.

Selection criteria

Members will be appointed on the basis of their:

• personal experience as a carer or, for organisational representatives, experience in working in an organisation that supports carers
• demonstrated awareness of the diverse issues and concerns of carers
• demonstrated contributions to community initiatives and good community networks
• demonstrated ability to represent the interests of carers.

A selection panel will consider nominations against these selection criteria. Applicants may be invited to an interview. Recommendations will be made to the Minister and Premier of Queensland for endorsement and all successful and unsuccessful nominees will be advised in writing.