18 May 2026
Mr Peter Rundle MLA
Chair Community Development and Justice Standing Committee
By email: lacdjsc@parliament.wa.gov.au
Dear Community Development and Justice Standing Committee
Inquiry into Guardianship and Administration in Western Australia
On behalf of the Carers Advisory Council (Council), I write to provide a response to the Committee’s inquiry into the guardianship and administration system in Western Australia, from the perspective of carers across the state.
We would like to thank the Committee for providing a plain English version of the materials to assist people with lived experience to contribute to the submission process. This approach has supported broader accessibility and inclusion in engagement.
The Carers Recognition Act 2004 (the Act) is an important legal mechanism providing carers with formal recognition in Western Australia. The Act defines carers as those who give unpaid care to a family member or friend who needs assistance with everyday tasks due to either disability, impairment, mental illness, being frail and aged, or living with a chronic health condition. The Act also establishes the Carers Charter, setting out principles for how carers must be treated in service settings. This includes acknowledging carers as partners in care, recognising their knowledge of the person they support, and ensuring their views are considered in assessment, planning and delivery of services.
Carers play a vital and often unrecognised role in supporting vulnerable individuals, and many interact with the Public Trustee and the Office of the Public Advocate.
As part of the engagement done by the Council, we often hear about the challenges carers face. Among these, accessible and transparent communication is a significant barrier. Carers report difficulty finding accessing information, and the use of complex or legalistic language. Improving communication standards, including the provision of plain-language materials and clear response timeframes, would enable carers to better support individuals and advocate effectively.
We also hear that carers often report feeling excluded from decision-making processes, despite holding valuable knowledge of the individual’s history, preferences, and needs. A more inclusive and respectful culture, one that recognises carers as partners, would improve trust and service delivery.
carers@communities.wa.gov.au
Carers and Grandcarers (www.wa.gov.au)\
Locked Bag 5000, Fremantle WA 6959
Our Council is aware that a more detailed response will be provided by agencies that support carers, particularly those working with ageing carers and others with more complex experiences in this space. We also note that some Council members have contributed to submissions through organisations such as Development Disability WA, Disability Assembly WA and Future Living.
Carers across Western Australia are committed to supporting vulnerable individuals, yet their voices are often marginalised.
This inquiry represents an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration between institutions and carers, improve transparency and accountability, and ensure that the system genuinely prioritises the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of those it serves.
Thank you for considering this submission.
Yours faithfully
redacted
Esme Bowen Chair, Carers Advisory Council
2 of 2