Strong advocate for the rights and needs of unpaid carers

Judith Abbott, CEO of Carers Victoria, is a highly qualified and well-rounded senior executive with extensive experience in government, not-for-profit and private organisations.  She has extensive experience working with boards, committees, ministers and sector leaders. Passionate about improving systems, Judith is skilled at helping organisations develop effective strategy, policy and advocacy approaches that have a positive social impact.

At Carers Victoria, she works with the government, policymakers and other organisations to ensure that carers’ voices are heard, and their concerns and needs are addressed.  Carers Victoria estimates that within the next couple of years there will be over a million Victorians who are providing unpaid care to family members, friends, neighbours and others in their communities. Carers make an amazing social and economic contribution to our state, but they are often not seen, not understood, or not supported. Thus, Judith and works to lead Carers Victoria in providing resources and support to help navigate the many challenges they face. Read on to learn more about Judith and the work Carers Victoria does to advocate for the rights and support the needs of unpaid carers.

Briefly describe your career trajectory and how you got to your current position.

I started off my career as an optometrist, often providing eyecare to disadvantaged people in the community, the spent a few years running last eye surgery centres.  I moved across to the Victorian public service where I spent over 15 years working in senior roles across a wide range of areas. 

More recently I spent a few years as the CEO of the national peak body for eye health and vision, before joining Carers Victoria in 2021. 

Alongside undergraduate qualifications in optometry, I hold two masters degrees in public policy and management and public administration. 

My career has been dedicated to enhancing health and human services, particularly for disadvantaged Victorians. 

What does the role mean to you?

Carers can sometimes feel isolated and overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Being the CEO of Carers Victoria and championing the cause of caregivers holds great significance for me.   I’ve long felt that despite being mission-critical, the needs of unpaid carers and the significant impact of their caring role has been overlooked or sometimes taken for granted. This role is a chance to help change that.   

Take us through a typical day of work for you

Well, there is rarely a dull moment.  It’s usually a combination of meetings, written work, attending events and/or working on current and potential initiatives with my staff and other partners.  

I spend my time connecting with other organisations who are also interested in carers including key stakeholders, government and partner organisations, as well as attending events with carers such as our annual program of carer Mingles. 

My time is also spent keeping our organisation working well which is a joint effort with my executive team and other organisational leaders.  We are regularly balancing strategic and tactical discussions with the business of ensuring we deliver what we say we will, when we said we would – and fostering an inclusive work culture. 

As a registered charity, there is also a fair bit of governance work to do, from developing advice for Board and Committee consideration through to the compliance tasks required from both regulators and funders.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt about the not-for-profit sector over the past couple of years as CEO of Carers Victoria?

There is great strengthen in the ability of not for profits to rapidly adapt to changed circumstances – something we saw on full display during the emergence of the pandemic.   

I worked for two NFPs over that time, and both of them were able to rapidly stand up, adapt and sustain very different working arrangements, to the benefit of the people and organisations they served. 

What are the key challenges for carers? How can this be addressed?

The key challenges faced by carers include emotional and physical stress, financial strain, social isolation, limited support services and balancing work and caregiving. 

Carers Victoria will continue to advocate for a raft of changes to tackle these but at an individual level, if you know someone in a caring role, you can assist by taking the time to periodically check in with them and see how they’re going and if/what they might need.  

Carers and others can reach out to Carers Victoria on our free phone line (1800 514 845) for expert advice on where to get help, how to navigate systems, and where there are local services or supports. 

If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself as you first embarked on your career? 

Its important to carefully pace change, so that you are bringing people along with you – you cant do it alone!!

How do you stay motivated to work in this field?

I’m motivated by a desire to change the world for the better, so being at a purpose-driven organisation is a key motivator for me. 

Hearing carer’s stories of their own experiences is also extremely motivating, and that focus on improving understanding of and assistance to carers is the thing that drives me. 

How do you unwind after work?

I love to bake and spend time with my family, including Loki the rescue dog (who is now boss of the entire family).