About

Who are young carers?

Young carers are people up to 25 years old who provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend with a disability, a physical or mental illness, a substance dependency, or who is aged.

What do young carers do?

Young carers help with many tasks like:

• household chores,

• paying bills,

• personal care,

• giving medication, and

• emotional support.

Who do young carers support?

Young carers may provide support and unpaid care to their:

• mother,

• father,

• brother,

• sister,

• cousin,

• grandparent,

• friend,

• partner, or

• child.

Young carers may look after them every day or from time to time.

How many young carers are in Australia?

There are 235,500 young carers in Australia.

Am I a young carer?

Young carers are people aged 12 to 25 years old who provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who may:

• have a disability.

• experience physical or mental illness.

• experience substance dependency.

• be aged or ageing.

It is important to know that some young carers may not identify as a carer. They may be supporting family members and not realise they are performing caring duties.

Young carers may complete tasks including:

•  providing emotional and advocacy support.

•  assisting with personal care.

•  managing household expenses.

•  managing medication.

•  assisting with household chores.

Young carers may be supporting:

• family members such as parent/s, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, or grandparent/s.

• a friend.

• a partner.

• a child.

Young carers may provide support every day, every week, or intermittently as required. 

Watch the Carer Gateway's video Am I a carer? to learn more.