Grandparents on way to more recognition

A parliamentary committee looking at the role of grandparents who are primary carers of their grandchildren will make suggestions for better support.

A senate committee looking at how to recognise and support grandparents is due to report to parliament on Tuesday.

It is estimated more than 60,000 grandparents have sole caring responsibility for their grandchildren in Australia.

The committee has been looking at their role since December, taking 176 submissions and holding seven public hearings.

Seniors advocacy group Council Of The Ageing told the committee grandparents want some kind of formal recognition of the role they play in society and in the lives of their grandchildren.

Indigenous advocates said grandparents were often too scared to tell family services they were caring for grandchildren and so missed out on vital financial and other support.