Who are young carers?
A young carer is a person under the age of 25 years who meets the definition of carer under the , by providing unpaid care and support to a family member, or friend, who:
- has a disability
- has a mental illness
- has a chronic or life-limiting condition
- has alcohol-dependence or drug-dependence; or
- is frail or aged
- is a child, if the person is an informal kinship carer of the child.
Every young carer鈥檚 situation is different. For example, a child or young person may become a carer to:
- a parent who has a chronic illness such as mental ill health or alcohol or other drug dependence.
- support their parents to care for a sibling who has a disability or illness.
Young carers often perform tasks not normally undertaken by people their age. Caring responsibilities can sometimes impact on a child or young person鈥檚 ability to attend school and have a 鈥榥ormal childhood鈥� experience.
A young carer may undertake tasks that may be physical, emotional or a combination of both. This may include for example:
- emotional support (such as listening to, talking with, reassuring and calming the person who they care for)
- practical tasks (such as preparing food, cleaning the house, supermarket shopping, paying bills)
- medical care (such as making appointments, buying medication and communication with health care professionals)
- personal care (such as washing, dressing, toileting)
- family support (such as looking after siblings, making school lunches, helping to get siblings ready for)
- advocacy support (such as interpreting and translating, communication support with family members and health care professionals)
Support for young carers
If you are a young carer, it is really important that you talk to your teacher or school social worker so that they are aware and can help you. Staying at school is important and there are many ways your school can support you to continue at school while being a carer.
Always remember:
- you can talk to a trusted adult or friend about your caring role
- help is available to you at school
- there are many other students like you who have caring responsibilities
- you don鈥檛 have to manage on your own
- it鈥檚 important to care for yourself and ensure that you stay fit and healthy
- there are support services available.
Support services for young carers
There are a number of government and community services which provide support and assistance for young carers. This can include financial support in the form of carers payments or allowances. Click on the links below to explore which organisations can support you in your role as a young carer:
| 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Information and counselling 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Help at home and tutoring support 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Respite 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Connection with other carers 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Workshops and events | |
| 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Annual Young Carer Bursary 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Links to a range of support organisations | |
| 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Peak body for carers in Tasmania 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Advocacy and referrals | |
| 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; 路 | |
| 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Mental health support and counselling for 12-25 year olds 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Education and career counselling | |
| 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; 24/7 Online and phone counselling service for young people for 5-25 year olds | |
| 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; 24/7 Online, phone and text crisis support service | |
| 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Online mental health support and connection | |
| 路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Funding for services and supports for people living with a disability |
Education and training for young carers
A range of courses are available to assist young carers in their caring role. Some courses aim to provide the skills required for the caring role itself, others provide information on specific conditions (such as dementia), and some focus on maintaining the health and wellbeing of the carer.
Contact your school鈥檚 wellbeing staff or to find out about suitable courses, workshops and support groups in your area.
Support for schools and teachers
A whole-of-school approach to managing the needs of young carers may impact positively on their ability to learn and their learning into the future. Senior leadership staff, teachers, support staff and administrative staff should be aware of the challenges which young carers face and the possible impact on their learning and associated outcomes. Some of the challenges faced by young people may include:
- Getting to school
- Arriving at school on time
- Concentrating at school
- Eating proper meals
- Completing homework on time
- Finding money to buy school uniforms, books, or equipment
- Spending time with friends.
Many young carers say that they enjoy their caring role. However, we know that young carers who are not supported often face significant barriers to their own physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Resources and information
The following resources may assist you in identifying whether you or someone you know is undertaking the role of a carer:
- Are You At School and Caring For Someone At Home? Care2Serve Young carer brochure – and
Tasmanian Carers Action Plan 2021-2025
In 2024, DECYP signed up to the , which formally acknowledges the Tasmanian Government鈥檚 commitment to increase recognition and improve services and support to Tasmanian carers. The current Tasmanian Carer Action Plan aligns with the National Carer Strategy 2024-34,聽which sets out a national agenda to support and improve the lives of Australia’s unpaid carers.聽
We recognise the responsibilities that young carers face, and we support young carers to balance their study and caring roles to ensure that they can remain engaged in education.