Almost 2.7 million Australians helped care for someone in 2015 — more than 10 per cent of the population, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

They helped care for many of the 4.3 million Australians living with a disability.

The figures were released as part of the bureau's Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers. The release coincides with National Carers Week.

The survey shows 55 per cent of all carers are women and they are the vast majority of "primary carers", who provide assistance with core activities such as mobility, self-care and communication.

More than two-thirds of primary carers (68 per cent) are women. On average they are 55 years old.

Most carers are classified as "informal"; they provided ongoing assistance for Australians aged 65 years and over, and those living with a disability.

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Harlene Hercules is one of the millions who act as informal carers. She manages affairs for her 74-year-old father Doug, who is now in aged care facility living with a cognitive impairment.

"It's not a matter of I can just forget about it. It's my father," Ms Hercules said, explaining how her care role continues even though her father lives in a nursing home.

"I really don't believe that role is just ended once they go into a facility."

In addition to managing all of Doug Hercules' financial affairs, Ms Hercules also ensures her father is included in nursing home field trips, and visits to the shops. On top of that she also visits regularly.

Her father said her care made all the difference.

"It reassures me," Mr Hercules said. "It makes me think that I am wanted. I am thought about ... I'm never really totally alone."

A juggling act managing work, care and education

Evynn D'Rosario juggles care responsibilities at home with study and work. ( ABC News: Norman Hermant )

Around one in 10 carers are under 25. One of them is 20-year-old Evynn D'Rosario from Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne's west.

Juggling care responsibilities at home with study and work is not always easy.

"I've found a lot of times I've been really stressed, a little bit anxious about a lot of the things that are going on in the family," she said.

Ms D'Rosario helps look after her mother Yolette, who lives with severe psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis and nerve damage. It makes it hard for Yolette to stand for long periods, lifting items is difficult and she frequently loses balance.

"The household wouldn't be able to function, without the girls having a primary care role," Ms D'Rosario said about Evynn and her sister.

"They're not just teenagers that have a teenage life. They have responsibilities."

Evynn has been a carer for five years now. She works two part-time jobs, and is taking a break from her studies to help manage all her responsibilities.

Despite it all, she said caring was a role she was happy to fill.

"It's mainly about making sure mum knows that she's going to be looked after," she said. "We're not just going to leave her high and dry when things get difficult."

Struggling to manage out-of-home responsibilities with a caring role is not unusual.

The ABS figures show primary carers in particular find it much more difficult to find a job than non-carers.

Just 56 per cent of primary carers participate in the labour force; about 80 per cent of non-carers do.

Ms Hercules said she was surprised when her caring role began last year, and she believes she is not alone. Her advice for anyone with ageing parents: plan now.

"Start looking at what's available to you," she said. "Start having that conversation with your parents even though it might be uncomfortable."