Graz ends employment scheme for family carers

The city of Graz will end its pilot scheme employing family carers at the end of 2026 because of budget cuts, ORF Steiermark reports.

The project supported people caring for relatives at home by employing them and providing social security. The city employed up to 15 carers; 11 were involved most recently.

Launched in 2024, the pilot was extended twice, covering 2025 and 2026. The city had described it as a sign of its commitment to social responsibility, despite budget adjustments. Talks had also taken place about expanding the model across Styria.

The Styrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) strongly criticised the decision. Party parliamentary group leader Hannes Schwarz called it a “fatal signal” for the care sector and those affected. He said the party would continue pushing at all levels of government to expand the scheme and called for the decision to be reversed, funding to be secured for 2027 and existing employment arrangements to continue.