What is the Young Carers Network?
The Young Carers Network (YCN) is a nationally coordinated resource to raise young carer awareness, provide information, and direct young carers to appropriate pathways for support.
We work to enable young carers to engage with each other through a range of opportunities to share and connect.
What can I do on the Young Carers Network?
- Find a support service
- Learn some helpful tips and share your own
- Read young carer stories and share your own
- Find young carer events
- Learn about financial support
- Learn about young carers
- Join the Young Carers Network
- Apply for the Young Carers Bursary Program
- Read testimonials from young carers and share your own
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, an
- 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 3 million carers including 391,300 young carers in Australia.
Am I a young carer?
Watch the Carers Gateway’s video to learn more.
Thinking about going back to school?
The Young Carer Bursary Program can assist you with your educational expenses.