Measure 6.6 Improvements in self-reported wellbeing among dementia carers
Being a carer can be a rewarding but demanding role. It is important that carers have supports to assist them in managing the physical, mental and social demands of their caring role. Carers can experience isolation, changes in social connectedness and wellbeing as result of their caring responsibilities (Dementia in Australia). It is important to measure changes in the wellbeing of carers to understand any unmet needs of carers and to know if their wellbeing is improving over time.
There are no national data on dementia carers’ self-reported wellbeing. Some data that provide insights into the experiences of carers of people living with dementia are available from:
- the Carer Wellbeing Survey
- the National Carer Survey.
However, the indicators shown below should be interpreted with caution as the data may under-represent carers who are not engaged with carer support organisations.
Data development is underway, with ongoing work to improve the availability of national data to inform this measure. Data from the recently conducted Living with Dementia Survey may be added to reporting when they become available.
Social connection of carers
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Indicator
Proportion of carers of people living with dementia who were socially connected.
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Baseline value
25% of carers in 2024
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Latest value
Baseline value only
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Progress
To be provided in future updates
The desired outcome is that more carers of people living with dementia are socially connected, meaning this indicator should increase over time.
Change over time
Future updates of this report will track changes over time for this indicator.
Historical change over time: 2020 to 2024
The proportion of carers of people living with dementia who were socially connected varied from 28% in 2020, 31% in 2022, and 25% in 2024 (Figure 6.6.1). These differences were not statistically significant.
Figure 6.6.1: Proportion of carers of people living with dementia who were socially connected, 2020 to 2024
Column chart shows 28% in 2020, 31% in 2022, and 25% in 2024.
| Year | Proportion of carers |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 28% |
| 2022 | 31% |
| 2024 | 25% |
Source:
National Carer Survey 2020, 2022, 2024
The proportion of carers of people living with dementia who were socially connected did not differ significantly between genders and across remoteness areas:
- 24% of women and 29% of men
- 24% of carers living in Major cities and 25% of carers living in regional or remote areas.
These data come from the National Carer Survey (NCS).
Every two years, Carers NSW and the State and Territory Carer Organisations conduct the NCS to better understand what Australia’s carers want and need. The Survey informs research, advocacy, and service design for carers across Australia. In the most recent year with available data (2024), 10,096 carers were surveyed across Australia.
Aggregated data from the NCS was provided by Carers NSW to the AIHW. Statistical significance (or non-significance) of differences in proportions between population groups or years for all comparisons of NCS data have been calculated based on a two-proportion z-test.
While a range of demographic information is collected in the NCS, it is not all presented in this report due to low counts. Data for population groups are reported for this most recent year of data only and where data quality allows. This includes gender and remoteness area.
Remoteness area in the NCS uses the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Remoteness Structure. ‘Regional or remote’ incorporates the categories of Inner regional, Outer regional, Remote and Very remote.
While the NCS may under-represent carers who are not well connected with carer organisations and supports, it still provides important insights into the experiences of carers of people living with dementia.
For more detailed data, including the counts used to calculate proportions, see the Supplementary data tables.
For more information, see the Technical notes.
Personal wellbeing of carers
Personal wellbeing is measured using the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI). PWI is a commonly used measure of subjective personal wellbeing and seeks to measure how satisfied people are with their life across key domains such as health and relationships (International Wellbeing Group 2013).
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Indicator
Proportion of carers of people living with dementia who experienced high personal wellbeing.
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Baseline value
16% of carers in 2024
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Latest value
Baseline value only
-
Progress
To be provided in future updates
The desired outcome is that more carers of people living with dementia experience high personal wellbeing, meaning this indicator will increase over time.
Change over time
Future updates of this report will track changes over time for this indicator.
Historical change over time: 2022 to 2024
The proportion of carers who experienced high personal wellbeing was stable at 15% in 2022, 16% in 2023 and 16% 2024 (Figure 6.6.2). Differences were not statistically significant.
Figure 6.6.2: Proportion of carers of people living with dementia who experienced high personal wellbeing, 2022 to 2024
Column chart shows 15% in 2022, 16% in 2023 and 16% in 2024.
| Year | Proportion of carers |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 15% |
| 2023 | 16% |
| 2024 | 16% |
Source:
AIHW analysis of Carer Wellbeing Survey 2022, 2023 and 2024 data
In 2024, the proportion of carers of people living with dementia who experienced high personal wellbeing did not differ significantly across both gender and remoteness:
- 15% of women and 18% of men
- 17% of carers living in Major cities and 14% of carers living in regional or remote areas.
These data come from AIHW analysis of the Carer Wellbeing Survey (CWS).
The CWS is an annual national survey into the wellbeing of carers and their support services. In the most recent year available (2024), 9,166 carers were surveyed across Australia.
AIHW analysis of CWS data uses weighted percentages. Statistical significance (or non-significance) of differences in proportions between population groups or years for all comparisons of CWS data have been calculated based on a two-proportion z-test using weighted proportions.
While various demographic information is collected in the CWS, those with low counts and/or high relative standard errors are not presented in this report. Data for population groups are reported for this most recent year of data only and where data quality allows. This includes gender and remoteness area.
Remoteness area in the CWS uses the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Remoteness Structure. ‘Regional or remote’ incorporates the categories of Inner regional, Outer regional, Remote and Very remote.
While the CWS may under-represent carers who are not well connected with carer organisations and supports, it still provides important insights into the experiences of carers of people living with dementia.
For more detailed data, including the counts used to calculate proportions, see the Supplementary data tables.
For more information, see the Technical notes.
AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) (2025) Dementia in Australia, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 6 October 2025.
International Wellbeing Group (2013) Personal Wellbeing Index: 5th edition, Australian Centre on Quality of Life, Deakin University, accessed 6 October 2025.