Raising the care factor for Sydney's care economy

Care is the invisible engine driving our homes, communities, and economy. From raising children to supporting loved ones with disability, or who are ageing, both formal paid care and informal unpaid care fuel daily life. But too often, this engine runs on empty. The care economy – a vast network of time, effort and resources – is under growing pressure and remains largely invisible in policy and the built environment.

This report seeks to change that. By making care work visible, we can better understand its impact on households and society, and why investing in the care economy is essential for a productive, equitable and prosperous city. It also asks a critical question: is our city geared to care? From housing and transport to streets and public space, we explore how urban planning, infrastructure and the built environment can support or constrain our ability to care for ourselves and each other, and what the personal, social and economic costs are if we don’t get it right.

Speakers include:

• Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Federal Minister for Social Services
• Alex Greenwich MP, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Member for Sydney
• Caroline Butler Bowdon, NSW State Librarian
• Estelle Grech, Planning Policy Manager, Committee for Sydney
• Alice Vincent, Associate, Resilience, Security & Risk, Arup
• Bay Warburton, Executive Director - Community Services, Wesley Mission
• Nicola Rae, Director - Strategy and Transactions, EY Parthenon
• Lindy Deitz, CEO, Campbelltown City Council
• Eamon Waterford, CEO, Committee for Sydney
• + more to come!

Thank you to Arup for supporting this event.

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