Make young carers visible

A shared message from Victoria’s Statewide Young Carer Network

Statistically, you should know us.
But too often, you don’t see us.

Young carers are part of Victoria’s families, schools, services and communities, yet too many remain unseen or unnoticed until they are struggling or in crisis.

We want decision-makers to see the whole picture.

Recognise young carers. Fund the awareness, identification and support they need now and earlier.

Why this matters

Across Victoria, children and young people are supporting parents, siblings, relatives, friends and others through mental health challenges, disability, chronic illness, alcohol and other drug use, trauma and other complex life circumstances.

Many do not identify as carers. They may simply know that someone they love needs support, and that they are carrying more than most people realise.

Without greater awareness and earlier identification, too many young carers remain hidden in plain sight.

Young carers need to be recognised earlier, with investment in awareness, identification and support before they are struggling or in crisis.

The shared ask

The Statewide Young Carer Network is calling for:

Greater awareness
So young carers are recognised across families, schools, services and communities.

Earlier identification
So young people are seen before they are struggling or in crisis.

Funded support
So young carers can access safe, inclusive and age-appropriate support when they need it.

About the Statewide Young Carer Network

The Statewide Young Carer Network brings together organisations and individuals working alongside young people who support family members, friends or others through mental health challenges and related experiences.

Co-hosted by Satellite Foundation and Tandem, the Network includes representatives from across the mental health, carer, youth, community, government, research, lived experience and family support sectors.

Together, the Network works to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge and advocate for long-term investment in supports for young people in unpaid support and care roles.

Network members

The organisations below are members of the Statewide Young Carer Network and are working together to strengthen awareness, identification and support for young carers across Victoria.