Carers NSW is the peak non-government organisation for carers in New South Wales, and we are launching the Small Business for Women Carers (SBWC) Program, a vital initiative funded by Women NSW.
This funded program seeks to address the significant financial insecurity faced by women who provide unpaid care.
Flexible work options are scarce. As a result, one in four carers aged 15–64 is not in paid employment (ABS SDAC), leading to systemic financial vulnerability.
Small business ownership provides the flexibility required to balance care and work. The SBWC program aims to support women carers with the skills, confidence, and networks to start or grow their own businesses.
The program is designed to build the capacity and financial resilience of women who provide unpaid care to a family member or friend with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, or age-related frailty. Support is delivered through three pillars:
- Tailored Advisory Support: One-on-one coaching and personalised business plans.
- Skill & Capability Development: A series of training sessions in key areas like finance, technology and marketing.
- Network & Resource Integration: A supportive peer network and pathways to essential business resources.
Through this partnership, we can directly help women carers in Shoalhaven build economic resilience and contribute to a more sustainable pipeline of women-led small businesses in NSW.
For further program information or application enquiries, please visit the SBWC web page and see the program flyer.
