If you want to care full-time
Your individual circumstances will determine whether you provide care full time or in conjunction with paid employment.
Before you give up work, think about other options and consider the drawbacks carefully. Returning to work later on may be harder than finding an arrangement that allows you to manage work and care responsibilities.
Many full-time carers have to adjust to living on lower incomes and experience a decline in social activity outside the family home.
If you decide to leave work, you can find information and support when you want to
return to work in the future.
Financial support for full-time carers
If you are planning to give up work, you are probably considering the financial impact this may have. Information about financial support for carers is available in the
Money matters section.
Alternatives to resigning from your job
You may be able to become a full-time carer without formally resigning from your job. Talk to your employer or your human resources department to see if the following options are available to you:
- A career break – an unpaid break from working, allowing you to return to your employer later. Some employers may already have such policies in place, with others you may need to negotiate an individual agreement.
- Voluntary redundancy – this will not enable you to return to the same employer/position, but may involve a redundancy payment being made to you.
Talk to your superannuation fund or a financial planner about:
- Transition to retirement – when you reach a certain age, you may be able to reduce your working hours and access your superannuation savings so you don't reduce your income.
If you do not want to give up work
Talk to family and friends to check whether anyone will take on or share the caring role. You should also find out about the entitlements of the person you care for, such as disability or aged care supports.
Advice on combining caring and work can be found in the
Caring for someone while working section.