Consultations Underway on Government’s Young Carer Education Initiative

The Assistant Minister for Social Services, Mitch Fifield, will meet today in Brisbane with a group of young Queensland carers to discuss the design of a new Australian Government initiative that will help young carers pursue an education.

Senator Fifield said the Young Carer Bursary Programme, worth $3 million over three years, would provide up to $10,000 each year to about 150 young carers aged 25 years and under.

“There are over 300,000 young carers in Australia who look after people with disability, people with physical or mental health issues, or older people in need of care,” Senator Fifield said.

“Young carers often have to juggle part time work, caring responsibility and study. Too often, when they are pressed for time, it is their education that is pushed aside.”

“We want to make study a little easier for young carers,” Senator Fifield said.

With the support of Carers Australia, six focus groups are being held with young carers who live in urban, regional and rural areas, including from a variety of Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

“The Government is seeking the views of young carers from across Australia, because they know what will work and how support can be best provided.

“We want to design a programme that fits the needs of young carers and makes a real difference.”