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More than half of Australia's caregiving population already feel forced to choose between caregiving and their career, and on a scale of one to 100, Australia's "caregiving readiness" is just 23.1, a new report warns.

The CARE Index 2025 – which is the first comprehensive national assessment of informal care readiness in Australia – places Australia firmly in the "critical" category, says Melissa Reader, CEO and founder of support provider Violet, which commissioned the report.

Based on surveys and interviews with members of the caregiving population, the report shows that: 82% of working 'sandwich generation' carers experience work-life balance impacts; 53% feel forced to choose between caregiving and career opportunities; and 74% are concerned about career advancement impacts.

According to external research cited in the report, care-related pressures contribute to an estimated $11.5 billion in lost productivity each year, and analysis of ABS Disability, Ageing and Carers Survey data suggests that by 2030, one in 10 Australian adults (compared to today's one in 12) will have elder care responsibilities...