Young Carers

Who are young carers?

Young carers are children and young people up to 25 years of age who help care for someone who has:

• an illness
• disability
• mental health issue
• an alcohol or drug problem, or
• is frail/aged.

What do young carers do?

Young carers often help family or friends with:

• cleaning
• cooking
• getting a relative around the house
• taking a relative to medical appointments
• giving medicines
• washing and dressing
• just making sure the relative is safe and feeling okay.

They may also provide care to younger siblings when a parent is unable to.

Sometimes caring for someone might affect a young person’s wellbeing, especially if they don’t have any support.

Young carers might not know that they can get help and support from government and non-government agencies. It’s important they know there's help available if they need it.

Further information

• Carers SA
• National Carer Gateway
• National Young Carers
• SA Government Carer information
• NDIS information for carers
• Young Carer Bursary program (Grants available from late July to early September each year)