District achieves Level 3 Carers + Employers Accreditation
 

Sydney Local Health District is the first government organisation in Australia to achieve Level 3 Carers + Employers Accreditation – the highest recognition awarded by the national Carers + Employers program, reflecting a long-standing commitment to supporting staff who balance caring responsibilities alongside their professional roles.

Kelli-Ann Sives, Inclusion Lead with the Carers + Employers program at Carers NSW, joined Chief Executive Deb Willcox AM and People & Culture team members including Liz Bail, Manager, Workforce Strategy & Culture, John Burgess, Workforce Planning, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, and social worker Maggie Gallagher in a celebration of this incredible achievement. The accreditation was possible due to the strong collaboration between Workforce Services, Sydney Education, the Carers Program and staff across the District.  

“Thank you to everyone who made this possible, especially the carers among us whose lived experience have shaped our approach,” said Deb Willcox.  

The District began its journey to accreditation in 2020 with Level 1, progressing to Level 2 in 2021, and has now reached Level 3 in 2025 – embedding feedback, consultation and support mechanisms into workplace culture.  

With more than 18 per cent of staff identifying as carers and 70 per cent of the workforce identifying as female, the accreditation recognises the importance of supporting carers at every stage of their career. It reinforces the District’s commitment to building a culture where carers are recognised, supported and valued, and provides a strong foundation to keep deepening that support into the future.