2025 Young Carer Bursary is closed!
Thank you to everyone who completed their applications for the 2025 Young Carer Bursary.
After receiving an unprecedented number of applications we are still considering final outcomes. Applications are being reviewed in stages, and we hope to share final outcomes with every applicant by 29 January 2025.
In the meantime, the Young Carer Network has services and tools designed to help young carers like you. There are also other financial supports that could be available to you; find out more here.
Download and share
Download the information packs to learn more about the 2025 Young Carer Bursary, and to easily share the details with others.
Welcome, young carers!
Are you looking after someone in your family or a friend? Do you help them because they have a disability, an illness, or they’re getting older? If so, you might be a young carer – and we’re here to support you.
What's the Young Carer Bursary?
The Young Carer Bursary is a helping hand. It’s money we give to young carers to make life a bit easier while you’re studying and caring for someone.
How much is it?
Good news! In 2025, we were initially given 1,592 bursaries to distribute, each one worth $3,768. But through Carers Australia’s persistent advocacy, we were able to increase the number of bursaries to 2,968 and the amount to $4,000 each.
What can you use it for?
The bursary money is there to help you with your education and caring role. You could use it for things like:
- Buying a laptop for your schoolwork
- Getting your school uniforms or books
- Paying for transport to get to school or college
- Taking a break from caring
- Joining in with school activities that cost extra
- Paying for some school fees
Who can apply?
You can apply for the bursary if you’re:
- Between 12 and 25 years old
- Looking after someone who needs extra help
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Living in Australia
- Studying at school, TAFE, university, or another place that teaches courses or have an intent to study in 2025
How do we choose who gets a bursary?
We look at all the applications and give the bursaries to the young carers who need them most. We don’t look at how much money your family earns – we’re interested in your personal situation as a young carer.
What's new this year?
We’ve been listening to feedback from applicants and have started to make some exciting changes to make it easier to apply.
- You’ll create a new username and password that you can use every time.
- We’ll ask for all your information up front, including your bank details.
- We’ll ask for less supporting documents than other years.
- If you’re under 18, we’ve made it super easy for your parents or guardian to give permission.
- You’ll only hear from us with a definite answer, no conditional approvals.
Ready to apply?
Great! Head over to our Apply page to get started. Remember, we’re here to help you. If you have any questions, just reach out to us.
