MEDIA RELEASE: Bursary boost recognises acute young carer need

The Young Carer Bursary program celebrates its 10th year in 2025 and has provided Australian carers aged 12 to 25 with a lifeline to cover costs associated with education.

For the 2025 Young Carer Bursary Program, Carers Australia received nearly three times as many applications as there were available bursaries, highlighting overwhelming need. 

Originally, awarding of Young Carer Bursaries for 2025 was earmarked for 1,736 successful applicants with each to receive $3,768.

In response to the explosion in interest and current cost-of-living crisis, Minister Rishworth announced today that every eligible young carer who submitted a completed application by the deadline will receive a bursary, with each of the 2,968 approved applicants to receive a $4,000 bursary.

“We celebrate the Government’s recognition of young carers who face challenges engaging in education, work and social life due to their caring commitments,” said Carers Australia CEO Annabel Reid.

“Young carers deal with social isolation, loneliness, hypervigilance and stress, on top of lowered educational outcomes, compared to their peers. Ongoing, increased and permanent funding for programs like the Young Carer Bursary Program improves the lives of all Australians by supporting the next generation of friends and family providing care.”

The Young Carer Bursary can be used for items such as school uniforms, textbooks, school tuition fees, fees for tertiary education, and more. “By granting Carers Australia additional funds to award the 2025 bursary to all 2,968 eligible young carers, who completed their applications by the deadline, Minister Rishworth’s office is offering unprecedented educational support to one of Australia’s most vulnerable populations.”

The number of young carers in Australia is more than 390,000 – which equates to one in every classroom.

“Carers Australia believes young carers deserve the resources they need to continue and complete their education while contributing their invaluable work as carers,” said Ms Reid. “Without them, our health system would collapse – we owe them a future in which they can thrive too.”

About Carers Australia
Carers Australia is the national peak body representing Australia’s carers, advocating to influence policies and services at a national level.

About carers and young carers
An informal, unpaid carer is a family member or friend who cares for someone who has a disability, chronic or life-limiting illness, is frail aged, has a mental health illness, alcohol, or other drug-related issue. Informal carers are distinct from paid support workers who are colloquially also called carers but are fully employed and remunerated with all the benefits of employment. Conversely, family carers perform their caring duties without remuneration. Young carers eligible for this bursary are aged 12 to 25, though we acknowledge many children under 12 find themselves responsible for caregiving.

For media enquiries please contact: Carers Australia on 0428 948 415, communications@carersaustralia.com.au