Up to five hours at home respite per week during the school term to complete secondary OR vocational equivalent education. Unused respite may be stored for later use (up to 20 hours); and

2-week blocks of respite to undertake activities such as study for exams, training or recreation. The respite care blocks can be used flexibly in a single two-week block or in single 24-hour periods to support young carers through stressful periods associated with full time care and study.

Some of the benefits that may be achieved through this program include:

reduced disruptive school attendance;

improved educational opportunities;

improved employment skills;

improved access to employment market;

increased employment;

improved financial position; and

increased family stability.

A Young Carer is a person 15 to 25 years of age who is the main provider of care and support for a parent, partner, child, relative or friend, who has a disability, is frail aged, or who has a severe mental or physical condition. This measure targets those young carers who are ‘at risk’ of prematurely leaving secondary education or the vocational education equivalent. Young carers under the age of 15 may also be entitled to support from other funding, as may co-carers.

Young Carers may be defined as being ‘at risk’ of not completing their education where, because of their caring responsibilities, they:

frequently miss school,

have no time to complete homework,

feel very distracted when they are at school and experience limited connectedness with their school community, and

are considering leaving secondary school or equivalent education prematurely.

Allocation of funds and services will be based on an assessment of relative need, taking into account the intensity of care required by the care recipient and other factors related to the needs and circumstances of the young carer and the caring relationship. The factors include:

the availability of other informal support to the young carer such as other family members, friends or volunteer groups,

the intensity of the caring role and the nature of the care provided,

the availability and use of other services to support the young carer and/or care recipient, e.g., home help, delivered meals, child care, or disability support services,

the young carer’s own physical and mental health status,

the young carer’s study and work load demands,

other demands on the carer, such as other family responsibilities, and

the number of people cared for.

If you know of a young person who may benefit from this assistance, please pass on this information. Potential applicants should be reassured that any personal details regarding their circumstances will be treated with the strictest confidence by staff at the Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre.


Contact Details: Naomi Glass   Ph: 1800 059 059  

For information on respite funding allocated in your community, contact Family and Community Services in your State.