FAQs

We encourage you to complete your application for the Young Carer Bursary.  If you decide not to return to study, you can always withdraw your application at a later date.

We are aware that you will not know outcome of your applications to study at university of TAFE until later on in the year and sometimes into the next year.  In the meantime apply, and if your application is shortlisted we will provide you more than enough time to provide this to us.

As we have created a new system you will not be able to access your old account details.  This will not affect payment four which will be paid in October.  Historical data will be migrated at a later stage.  We recommend using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge as your browser.

As the system is new you will need to re-register.  Please use the sign up button to create a new account. Historical data will be migrated at a later stage.  We recommend using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge as your browser.

To be eligible for the Young Carer Bursary Program, you must be:

• providing 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.
• aged between 12 – 25 for the entire time you are receiving bursary.
• an Australian citizen, or permanent resident; and,
• studying at high school, TAFE, private college, university, or other tertiary education institutes.

Young carers are not eligible if they hold an advanced diploma, bachelor’s degree or above, or if they are currently receiving another scholarship.

No.

You will not be able to register with the same email address as your sibling.  Please use or create a new/unique email address to register.  We recommend using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge as your browser.

Yes.  A paid carer is someone who is employed to take care of someone else and their needs either through self employment or under a business or organisaiton.

If you are shortlisted for a bursary we will ask for parent/guardian consent.  An exemption may apply in some circumstances.

Yes, your family members, including siblings can apply, even if you are caring for the same person.  You will not be able to register with the same email address as your sibling.  Please use or create a new/unique email address to register.

Applications for the Young Carer Bursary Program open 16 August 2021.
To subscribe to the Young Carers Network and receive notifications about the Young Carer Bursary, as well as young carer events and opportunities, click the link below:

https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/

To subscribe to the Carers Australia newsletter and keep up to date on programs, news, and events for carers by clicking the link below:

www.carersaustralia.com.au/news-media/our-newsletter/

Yes. You can apply every year that you meet the eligibility criteria.

Yes.  If you remain eligible, young carers must submit a new application for the Young Carer Bursary each year.

The application asks:

• your details and a little bit about you;
• details of your course/s;
• about your caring role and;
• the impact this has on your ability to study and/or attend classes.

Please provide as much information in your answers as possible to give us a clear picture of your caring role and how it impacts you as a young carer.

You can apply for both the Young Carer Bursary and another scholarship.  If successful for both, you will need to choose which one to accept.

No. The application form is only available online via the Young Carers Network website. If you would like support to complete the online application, please see the Who can support me to apply? section.

If you do not have internet access at home, please contact Carer Gateway, a school counsellor, a teacher, or a support worker for assistance. They will be able to provide access to the Young Carers Network website and support you while completing the application.

There are also many ways to access the internet by using Wi-Fi at:

• School,
• Libraries,
• Local businesses,
• Museums,
• Youth groups,
• Mobile hotspot,
• Shopping centres.

If you are in a rural or regional area and are having issues accessing the internet, please contact the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 and they will support you to connect to a local organization.

Yes, if you are under 18, your parent or guardian can contact us and enquire about your application on your behalf.

If a support worker, teacher, or health professional is listed as a contact person they will also be able to enquire or make changes to your record.

The best approach would be to call together so that you are available to provide verbal consent.

If you need help, a support worker, teacher, or health professional can be listed as a contact person on your application. They will be able to enquire about the progress of your application, but we will not provide any of your personal information to them without you present.

The best approach would be to call together so that you are available to provide verbal consent.

If you are over 18 and need help, a support worker, teacher, or health professional can be listed as a contact person on your application. They will be able to enquire about the progress of your application, but we will not provide any of your personal information to them without you present.

The best approach would be to call together so that you are available to provide verbal consent.

You can nominate to have the bursary paid into a parent or guardian’s bank account.

The Carers Australia Young Carers Team will look at these on a case-by-case basis. If you have questions about extenuating circumstances, please email ca@youngcarersnetwork.com.au

No. Further information can be found on the Services Australia website under exempt income.

Find information about exempt income here.

Yes. The NDIS does not pay for educational expenses. You should not be asked about your personal spending on education by the NDIS.

An email and SMS confirmation will be sent. You can also view the status of your application in the online portal on the My Profile page.

The Carers Australia Young Carers Team will usually attempt to contact you via email, so please monitor your inbox frequently and check your junk folder.  An overview of emails we have sent will also be available in your My Profile.

Please enter the income as a whole number eg. 16000 – do not use a dollar sign or include the cents

An email and SMS notification will be sent. You can also view the status of your application in the online portal on the My Profile page.

As we have created a new system you will not be able to access your old account details.  This will not affect payment four.  Historical data will be migrated at a later stage.  Links to the survey were sent to young cares on the 13th and 14th of July.  If you cannot find this email please contact the Young Carer Team by using the connect button to be sent a link to the survey.