• A Charles Sturt PhD student has released a documentary sharing the lives of four full-time, unpaid carers through raw and unfiltered footage
• Documentary creator Ms Dalanglin Dkhar is a full-time carer of her son
• ‘Unconditional’ premiered in Canberra on Monday 25 March at the Palace Electric Theatre

A documentary revealing life as a carer by carers has officially launched as part of a Charles Sturt University student and full-time carer’s PhD study.

Canberra-based Charles Sturt School of Social Work and Arts student Ms Dalanglin (Dalang) Dkhar used her own life as a full-time carer for her son as motivation for the PhD study, which saw research, interviews, and lived experience culminate in the form of a documentary.

The documentary, titled Unconditional, officially aired in a launch event at Canberra’s Palace Electric Cinema on Monday 25 March at 6pm, supported by nonprofit organisation Carers ACT, which is dedicated to supporting carers, and Documentary Australia, and attended by ACT Minister for Carers Ms Emma Davidson, MLA.

Unconditional follows the stories of four carers. One - Megan, is the mother of an adult with cystic fibrosis, which is a terminal genetic condition, and faces the reality that she might outlive her daughter, saying, “There is nothing that is not touched by this”.

Another, Razi, has cared for both of his elderly parents for fifteen years and continues to do so, saying, “Family is very important. Whatever is needed, I’ll do it”.

Fellow documentary participant, Craig, shares his story of caring for four people in his life, including his partner and three children, all with complex needs.

“Caring is a full-time job; part-time is the rest of your life,” he said in the film.

The fourth participant in the documentary is First Nations mother Deborah, the primary carer of her adult autistic son, who shares the moment she knew her life was different.

“I took him to the local preschool down the road. The worker looked at him and said, ‘You can’t come here. You need to go to the disability one’,” she said.

For documentary producer Ms Dkhar, she has been the full-time carer of her son, who is autistic and non-speaking, since 2012.

“Over the years there have been many lessons I have learnt as a carer,” she said.

“Being a carer affects everything in your life - your identity, your views of the world, the way you are affected by everything that your son experiences of the world, including trauma.

“So, in time, you also become his strongest advocate.”

Currently in Australia, there are approximately 2.65 million unpaid carers, which equates to nearly one in 10 people.

The variation in roles, expectations and pressures within this group is significant, long lasting, with deep impacts on the physical and mental health of carers and something which Ms Dkhar knew needed to be explored from within, to inform policy-making and advocacy roles.

“The complexities around caring were further highlighted in conversation with other carers themselves, differing from my own experiences,” Ms Dkhar said of the carers who became her participants in the documentary film.

“No-one decides to do this, it’s by necessity, so for them to be so generous with their time and share their story is so courageous, and I’m incredibly grateful for their contributions to the documentary and to this community.”

Her overarching PhD research study, ‘Lifelong carers – the lived experience as witnessed through a documentary’, is shining a light on this often invisible – but vital – portion of society.

CEO of Carers ACT Ms Lisa Kelly said Ms Dkhar’s film portrays the reality of lifelong carers, from their emotional and physical challenges to their sacrifices and unwavering dedication.

“We believe this documentary has the potential to shape future policies and supports for carers,” Ms Kelly said.

“It is more than just a film; it’s a raw and authentic showcase of real, unfiltered stories that capture the depth, complexity and emotional resilience inherent in the carer experience.

“We hope it will help raise awareness and recognition for what they do, each and every day.”

Special guests attended the screening, including Charles Sturt University’s Director of Advancement Ms Sarah Ansell, as well as members of the Legislative assembly Ms Susan Orr and Mr Peter Cain, Anglican Bishop of ACT and Goulburn Bishop Mark Short, and CEO of Centrecare Ms Annemaree Binger.

National Carers Network CEOs also attended the event, as well as carers, friends and families of the cast in a packed-out screening.

More information and access to the trailer of Unconditional is available online.

ENDS