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1 in 11 carers in Victoria are under 25. Carers Victoria believes all young carers have a right to enjoy life and reach their potential.
Are you a young carer?
Many young carers are unidentified. This can be for numerous reasons whether it is because young carers don't identify with the label "young carer" or family members, teachers, and other service providers aren't familiar with the signs of being a young carer.
There are more than 62,400 young carers in Victoria. It is estimated that 3% of all young people are carers and there is at least 1 young carer in every classroom. Young carers are hidden in the community, so these figures are likely to be underestimates. Many do not identify as a carer.
Some young people may have caring responsibilities although they may not identify with this title. That is okay. Everyone has a unique and different identity that may not fit inside a title. This won't stop you from being able to access supports.
Caring responsibilities can have positive effects, such as developing skills and building strong relationships, as well as some negative short and long-term effects such as poor health and wellbeing, social isolation, difficulty with transitions into adulthood.
What do young carers do?
Young carers often take on a range of responsibilities including:
- shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing and household chores
- specific care tasks such as assisting with mobility, grooming, bathing, toileting
- support and monitoring of the family members needs
- social and emotional support
- managing financial issues – property maintenance, paying bills, banking
- care for other siblings in the family
- liaising with service providers and health care professionals e.g. making appointments, discussing treatments and medications
- interpreting for family members where English is a second language, and
- looking after siblings who have a disability if a parent is unable to look after them because of their own health issues.
The young carer quiz
Do you ever:
- help take care of someone in your household who has a disability, chronic or mental illness, who is frail aged or has an alcohol or other drug problem
- worry about leaving the person you care for home alone
- get a sore back from lifting the person you care for
- feel like you sometimes don't get to do regular stuff with your friends, and
- feel too tired to hang out with your friends or do school work?
If you said yes to any of these, and you would like to:
- have the opportunity to speak to other young carers who may be in a similar situation
- have a chat to someone about your caring role
- get info about support groups
- find out about Young Carer Groups, and
- get personal support for the person you care for.
then check out the resources below.
Online Resources
The Young Carers Network
The Young Carers Network is a place for young carers to learn about support services, access resources and share their story and opinions. Brought to you by Carers Australia.
When your parent has a mental illness guide
For youth aged 12 to 15 years with a parent who experiences mental illness. This guide has been produced by the Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd for the COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness) national initiative.
Young Carer Facebook Page
The Young Carer Facebook page supports young carers in Victoria to come together and learn from one another, and hear about what is happening in their communities.
Help & Support
Find Support
If you live in the Western Metropolitan Region of Melbourne (the local government areas of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Melton, Moonee Valley or Wyndham), call 1800 514 845 during business hours to talk to a Carers Victoria support advisor about some common experiences for young carers and, what supports are available for them.
Our Carer Support Advisors can help arrange counselling, find someone to talk to about problems you may have, and get help and support.
The service can also offer suggestions on how your school can support and assist you.
If you live outside of this region, phone the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or visit www.carergateway.gov.au
Counselling
The carer counselling program provides carer specific counselling around the impact and experience of being a young carer. Up to six sessions with a counsellor in your local area or telephone counselling can be arranged. Many people find it helpful to have someone to talk to about any issues or challenges they may be facing.
Respite
Respite provides temporary relief for carers e.g. time away from the caring situation, personal care for the person being cared for, fun activities, group outings, individual support, camps and holiday programs.
Why is respite important?
Respite helps make time for fun activities that young carers can often miss out on. It can also be an opportunity to connect with other young carers and to get help with school. Respite helps young carers get some time out for themselves - to look after their own health and well-being , to manage juggling their caring role with their education, friendships and other parts of their life. Respite also gives the person being cared for a chance to do some enjoyable activities.
Phone the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or visit www.carergateway.gov.au
Support for young carers at school
If you're at school and need help with things like:
- respite - taking a break
- help at home
- getting to sport or other activities
- tutoring or time to study
Phone the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or visit www.carergateway.gov.au
Young Carer Bursary
Applications for the Young Carer Bursary are now open
Are you a young carer aged 12-25 who provides unpaid care for a family member or friend who lives with a disability, physical or mental illness, substance dependency, or is aged?
The Young Carer Bursary Program is a Carers Australia initiative. It supports young carers to return to or to continue with their education by providing financial assistance while studying and managing caring responsibilities. The program will offer 1,592 bursaries for the 2025 academic year, each valued $3,768.
Applications are not income tested and are assessed by an Independent Assessment Panel.
The bursary can be used towards laptops and software, uniforms, school camps, extracurricular activities, transport, respite care and more.
Young carers across Australia can apply from now until 22 November 2024.
For more info or to apply, visit https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/bursary/young-carer-bursary/
Young Carer Events
There are a number of events and a Young Carer Festival held each year. Contact us or follow our Facebook page to find out how you can take part.
Carers Victoria's Young Carer Scholarship Program
Applications for Carers Victoria’s Young Carer Scholarships 2024 are now closed
Carers Victoria's Young Carer Scholarship program gives young carers attending secondary school the opportunity to be acknowledged for their contributions to their family and the community and to participate in school or community-based activities that enhance their skills, educational achievement, and abilities, or that help them to participate more fully in their community.
Scholarships of up to $500 are awarded to successful applicants.
For more information, please visit Young Carer Scholarship Program.
