This report looks at the potential economic and social impacts of adding an entitlement to extended unpaid carer leave to the National Employment Standards.

The report finds that such an entitlement would help some informal carers of older people to balance the expectations and demands of paid work and care. However, the number of carers who would benefit would be small and the net benefits to the community would be modest at best.

An entitlement to extended unpaid carer leave is also not the highest priority for most carers (and it will be unsuitable or inaccessible for many). Other policies – especially better access to flexible work – would make a bigger difference for more carers.