Carers Week 2024
In support of National Carers Week 2024, today, we’re sharing resources tailored to the specific needs of carers, including those for young carers, financial support options, and resources available for families.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centres
Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centres
The centres provide carers of all ages with the vital networks they need to keep caring, while still looking after their own wellbeing.
Anyone supporting people living with mental health and substance use challenges or psychological distress can access these centres and no referral is needed.
They can be accessed in person, without an appointment or via phone or online booking. Visit their website.
What different services have to offer
They are the Victorian peak body representing family, carers and supporters. Their Support and Referral Line provides support, information and referral to carers.
They administer the Mental Health Carer Support Fund which provides funding to assist people in their support role. Visit their website or call 1800 314 325.
They offer a range of supports that include:
- individualised support for carers to focus on their own needs and personal goals
- information and assistance to connect carers with the right support services
- peer support to enhance carer wellbeing
- events for carers that focus on education, peer support and social connection
- 24/7 emergency respite and after-hours support.
Visit their website or call 1800 422 737.
The Victorian Support for Carers Program
They provide tailored support based on a carer's individual needs and circumstances. They can:
- meet a carer's short-term, high level support needs
- respond to a carer's immediate needs in a timely way
- provide short-term top up services to supplement a carer's broader service system supports.
Visit their website or call 1800 514 845.
They offer free mental health services to carers who live in Melbourne’s western metropolitan area (Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Melton, Moonee Valley or Wyndham). They:
- offer counselling support
- arrange respite and may be able to help with the costs
- organise workshops on topics of interest to carers
- provide information about appropriate respite options that may be available
- link you to other services that may be able to help
- put you in touch with peer-led carer support groups.
Visit their website or call 1800 514 845.
Alcohol and other Drugs (AOD) Services
If someone you care for is dealing with addiction and mental health issues, there is a range of alcohol and other drug (AOD) services available:
They provide advice and referral to AOD treatment and programs. Visit their website or call 1800 888 236.
Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice (YoDAA)
They provide information and advice about treatment and programs specifically for young people. Visit their website or call 1800 458 685.
To find out more online, visit the Better Health Website.
National Carers Week Website
The National Carers Week website(opens in a new window) is the place to go for information on this year’s campaign and how you can help a carer. There are several resources with tips and ideas on how you can promote the week within your networks and support carers in your community.
Visit their website.
Resources for young carers
They have a range of programs aimed at young people aged from 8-25 years, with a focus on activities that foster creativity, hope and connection. They also offer 3-day holiday camps. Visit their website or call 1800 973 444.
They offer school holiday programs, coaching, tutoring and personal development programs. Visit their website or call 1800 717 515.
FAPMI (Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness)
They offer peer support programs for children and young people to connect with others, learn about mental illness, develop self-care and coping strategies, and have fun. For more information, ask your mental health professional or visit their website.
COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness)
They offer resources for children and young carers on their website.
The Young Carer Scholarship Program
Run by Carers Victoria helps high school carers gain recognition and join activities to improve their skills, grades, and community involvement. Successful applicants can receive up to $500. Visit their website or call 1800 514 845.
They are giving our 1592 bursaries in 2025. Each one is worth $3,768. To apply, visit their website or call (02) 6173 2620.
Getting financial support
They administer the Carer Support Fund for carers supporting people who are receiving care or treatment from one of Victoria's Area Mental Health Services. The fund offers up to $1000 support annually. Visit their website or call 03 8803 5504.
They help provide tailored support packages and planned respite. Visit their website or call 1800 422 737.
Young Carer Scholarship and Bursary Programs
They provide financial assistance and support to young carers. Visit their website or call 1800 514 845.
This can help with public transport discounts and other discounts. Visit their website or call 1800 901 958.
These can help if you provide constant care to someone who needs care for at least 6 months. Visit their website.
This is a payment for carers who provide daily care for someone who needs it at home. Visit their website.
Resources for First Nations Carers
They provide crisis support 24/7 to have a yarn with you and provide a confidential, culturally safe space to share your needs, worries or concerns. You will be connected to another Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who will understand the importance of your heritage and listen without judgment. Visit their website or call 13 92 76.
This was created and built with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with lived experience of mental health concerns, and their mobs. It contains resources to help First Nations People along their NDIS journey. Visit their website.
This is a 24 x 7 free and confidential counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers. Visit their website or call 1800 959 563.
How Carer Gateway can support you
Carer Gateway offers a range of supports that include:
- individualised support for carers to focus on their own needs and personal goals
- information and assistance to connect carers with the right support services
- support to access respite and equipment
- facilitated coaching
- peer-to-peer support to enhance carer wellbeing
- events for carers that focus on education, peer support and social connection
- 24/7 emergency respite and after-hours support.
Visit their website or call 1800 422 737.
Carer Gateway also offers resources tailored specifically for First Nations People. To find out more, visit: their website.
Carer Lived Experience Workforce (CLEW)
Since 1999, individuals with lived experience as carers, families, supporters and kin of those using services have been integral to the Victorian mental health and wellbeing sector. These dedicated workers have:
- ensured carer perspectives are included in service planning, delivery, and evaluation.
- enhanced responsiveness to carer needs.
- used their lived experience as a key mechanism for facilitating positive change for families.
- connected with, and supported families and carers through their unique insights.
In 2019-20, around 98 family/carer LE roles were created in Victoria’s publicly funded mental health services. Since then, the Royal Commission's recommendations have led to a significant increase in family/carer LE leadership roles, including 98 designated roles in Connect Centres statewide.
People with lived experience as a carer work in various roles in publicly funded mental health and wellbeing services, including public hospitals and community organisations. They use their experiences to benefit other families, carers, supporters and kin through roles in peer work, advocacy, consultancy, education, training, and research.
Tandem promotes the employment of these individuals in Victorian mental health services.
If you work in a carer lived experience role, join the CLEW network for a supportive community and opportunities in workforce development, education, training, and leadership.
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