South Australians are being asked to nominate organisations for the South Australian Carer Recognition Awards.

Minister for Families and Communities, Jennifer Rankine, said the Awards highlight positive initiatives by organisations in recognising and supporting the more than 250,000 unpaid family carers across the state.

“The awards will recognise outstanding initiatives for carers, with separate awards in each category for business, non government and government agencies, and general practice,” she said.

“Anyone can nominate an organisation for an award, and I encourage people to consider any organisation that works to support the important work carers do in our community.

“The award recipients will be celebrated in Carers Week in October this year.”

Ms Rankine said the State Government is committed to supporting and improving the lives of carers, and recognising their valuable contribution to the wider community.

“Unpaid family carers provide a critical service to the community. To put a dollar value on the cost of the support and care provided by Australia's 2.9 million carers would be $40.9 billion per annum and there are around a quarter of a million carers in South Australia alone.”

Nominations for the Award will close on 1 August 2011.

For further information about the awards and how to nominate visit www.sa.gov.au/carers email carerawards@dfc.sa.gov.au or call the Office for Carers on 8207 0424.