At The Weekly, we believe in lifting each other up – especially those who tirelessly lift us up every day. That’s why we are standing behind the ‘Cost of Caring’ campaign by Are Media, the publisher of The Australian Women’s Weekly. Jasmin Link cares for her son, Luke, who has autism. It’s a labour of love, but it has cost her a secure retirement. Here’s their story.
Jasmin and Luke Link
Jasmin Link’s son, Luke, was born with mild hydrocephalus, meaning there was too much cerebrospinal fluid in his brain. Doctors warned this could lead to developmental delays, but equally, “he could be perfectly fine, and at first he was. He was healthy, strong, all of that,” Jasmin tells The Weekly.
At three months, Jasmin noticed Luke was hypersensitive to drafts and to sounds. He failed to meet a succession of milestones. At two-and-a-half, he was non-verbal and was diagnosed with level three autism. Jasmin was 25 and a proud Aboriginal, South Sea Islander woman. She had studied law and worked in the public sector, but left all that behind and became a stay-at-home mum and voluntary carer to Luke.
“I wasn’t prepared for the chapter I was about to enter,” she explains. “You have a baby and you go on maternity leave, and there is an assumption that you’ll get back into work, but that felt so far away. I didn’t see how I could live a normal life where I’d be able to provide for my children.”
Jasmin had a daughter two years after having Luke, and when he was three-and-a-half, she secured a place for him in assisted childcare. She also enrolled in a Carers Queensland program called Your Caring Way, which helps carers pursue personal development. Today, Jasmin is a support work coordinator and last year she graduated from a First Nations domestic violence facilitator program.
“Having done the healing journey myself, to then become a facilitator makes me feel that all the experiences I’ve been through weren’t in vain,” she says.
What’s the future look like for Jasmin and Luke?
Jasmin is 37 now, Luke is 12, and although he attends school, his needs mean she still can’t work full-time. Whole years have been taken out of Jasmin’s working life when she earned no wage or superannuation. Even today, her part-time wage is supplemented by voluntary carer payments. However, they have no superannuation included, so there is no chance of saving for retirement. And Jasmin is not alone. On average, a person who becomes a primary carer will lose $392,500 in lifetime earnings by age 67, and $175,000 in superannuation.
Jasmin remembers, years ago, thinking: “How am I ever going to save money and think of a retirement? But having super added to our payments would make so much difference to carers. They could plan for the future and create healthy financial habits, rather than just getting by … They could have some security, and something to look forward to.”
Today, Luke is in a special school, and he’s reached his “early verbal” milestone. “He’s affectionate, he’s a nature lover. He’s got the most infectious laugh,” Jasmin says with a smile.
Why should this matter to you?
Carers offer compassion and assistance, and their work is vital to the well-being of our communities. However, despite their crucial role, many carers struggle financially.
When a carer is looking after someone they love, their financial vulnerability increases as they sacrifice their own income, future income potential and superannuation.
As Jane Huxley, CEO of Are Media, beautifully puts it: “Our carers are the backbone of our community, offering unconditional support and love. It’s time we returned the favour and ensured they have the support they need to continue their incredible work.”
How can you help with the Cost of Caring campaign?
One of the ways you can help right now is by signing the petition to guarantee superannuation for carers.
Your signature can help bring about the changes needed. And together we can make a real difference in the lives of those who give so much to our communities.
Help us guarantee super for Australia’s unpaid carers
Australia’s unpaid carers are in crisis. It’s time to do something about it.
The Australian Women’s Weekly and our parent company, Are Media, are campaigning with Carers Australia to have superannuation added to voluntary carer payments. To learn more and sign our petition, visit costofcaring.com.au
The definition for carer (under the Australian Government Carer Recognition Act 2010) is someone who gives care and support to a relative or friend who: has a disability; has a medical condition (terminal or chronic illness); has a mental illness; or is frail because they are old (known as ‘frail and aged’)
This article originally appeared in the May Issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly. Subscribe so you never miss an issue.
