You cannot deliver care on empty: Wesley Mission calls for care workers to be deemed essential in fuel crisis

Wesley Mission

Media release

For immediate release                                                              23 April 2026

You cannot deliver care on empty: Wesley Mission calls for care workers to be deemed essential in fuel crisis

Wesley Mission is calling on the New South Wales and Federal Governments to formally recognise frontline care workers as essential, ahead of the upcoming National Cabinet meeting to address the national fuel crisis and ongoing supply chain disruptions.

With fuel access and potential rationing under consideration, Wesley Mission warns that failing to prioritise care workers risks immediate disruption to critical services for vulnerable Australians.

Wesley Mission A/CEO, Ms Karen James, says frontline workers delivering in-home aged care, disability support and family services must be included in any fuel allocation or rationing framework.

“You cannot deliver care on empty. If care workers cannot get fuel, people miss out on essential support.  It is that simple.  These are services that cannot be paused or delivered remotely. Every day, care workers travel across communities to support people who rely on them for their safety, health and wellbeing.”

Wesley Mission delivers in-home services across NSW, with staff heavily reliant on private vehicles and organisational fleets to reach clients, particularly in regional and outer metropolitan areas where there are no viable transport alternatives.

Ms James says the consequences of inaction would be felt quickly.

“Missed visits mean missed medication, missed meals and missed check-ins for people who are often already vulnerable.  Without guaranteed fuel access, we risk placing even greater pressure on hospitals, emergency services and already stretched support systems.”

Wesley Mission is urging governments to act now to provide certainty for the care sector and the people who depend on it.

“We are asking both State and Federal Governments to formally recognise care workers as essential and ensure they are prioritised in any fuel access arrangements.  It is a practical step that will help prevent avoidable harm and keep critical services running when people need them most.”

Wesley Mission stands ready to work with governments to ensure any response to the fuel crisis protects continuity of essential care services across NSW.

ENDS

Wesley Mission A/CEO Ms Karen James is available for interview

Media contact: Anne Holt 0418 628 342 or [email protected]