How To Write a Carer Impact Statement

A carer impact statement should include information about the person you care for:

• their disability and how it impacts their day-to-day functioning
• what they need support with, and what you as their carer does to support them
• your own needs and goals as a carer, and how the caring role affects you
• whether you can keep caring for them in the same way into the future
• what other informal supports they have, such as family or friends
• any other important information for the NDIA to know when assessing which supports they might require.

Another way to formulate a statement is to address each of the main 8 categories within the NDIS and then explain:

• what supports are provided,
• how often they occur,
• the cost involved
• as well as the emotional impact that can sometimes occur.

These 8 categories are:

1. Daily Living
2. Home
3. Health and Well-being
4. Lifelong Learning
5. Work
6. Social and Community Participation
7. Relationships
8. Choice and Control

IMPORTANT: ‘Functional Capacity’ is how the NDIS measures eligibility, so you should refer to the applicant’s ‘functional capacity’ when describing how their life is affected in these areas by their disability.

Here is a resource on what functional capacity is under the NDIS.

Again, there is no right way or wrong way to write a carer statement but you should describe your worst day so that you communicate the maximum amount of support provided.