Women are sometimes seen primarily as workers dealing with the logistical challenges of managing employment and family responsibilities. However, many theorists assume a fuller, richer account of women and men, attentive to the nature and quality of both relationships and work. If Australian women and men are to become recognised and rewarded as both carers and workers changes are required, including a significant shift in social attitudes, changes to the nature of work, a restructured tax/transfer system and more comprehensive system of high-quality care services for children and elderly and disabled people. There would also need to be a drastic improvement in the status, remuneration and conditions of employment for paid carers.