There are supports available both financial and practical, to help lighten the burden on Carers. The general areas of support available include...
- Care Allowance - To help cover day-to-day costs
- Carer Support Help Desk - A dedicated support service helping Carers and young people
- Young Carer Support - assisting young carers aged 12-25 years continue their education
- Child Care Subsidy - If eligible, receive up to 100 hours of additional subsidised childcare per fortnight
- NDIS - Australia’s national scheme to support people with disabilities.
- Leaving Care Financial Support - Building a path towards independent living
- Foster Care Connect - Financial Assistance Resource Directory
1. Support for home-based carers
Helping home-based carers with a range of Victorian and Commonwealth Government supports that can assist in meeting the needs of children and young people in their care.
To learn more, click here.
2. Care Allowance
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (the department) provides care allowances for assessed and approved foster, kinship and permanent carers. The care allowance contributes to the day-to-day costs incurred while providing care for children and young people.
There are five care allowance levels which reflect the diverse needs of children and young people in care. Within each of these levels, allowance rates also vary based on the age of the child or young person, reflecting the different needs and costs at different ages and stages of development.
To learn more, click here.
3. Carer Support Help Desk
The Care Support Help Desk is a program funded and delivered by the Department of Families Fairness and Housing for statutory kinship and foster carers.
It provides a dedicated contact point for statutory kinship and foster carers who need assistance to navigate child protection processes or who are experiencing problems within the placement.
Additionally it supports children entering care for the first time by ensuring they have the required documentation and supports in place.
To see the different contact numbers available, click here.
4. Young Carer Bursary Program
The Young Carer Bursary Program assists young carers aged 12-25 years to continue their education. It provides financial assistance to reduce their need to undertake part-time work while studying and managing caring responsibilities. Each bursary is valued at $3,768.
To learn more about the program, click here.
5. Additional Child Care Subsidy
The Additional Child Care Subsidy (child wellbeing) is a payment by the Australian Government for families who need practical help with the cost of child care to support their child’s wellbeing.
It applies to any child subject to a protection order under the Victorian Children, Youth and Families Act 2005.
Children in informal care and not subject to a protection order under the Children, Youth and Families Act may also be eligible for the additional subsidy.
To learn more, click here.
6. National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life.
The NDIS also connects anyone with disability to services in their community.
To learn more about the NDIS, click here.
7. Care Connect - Resource Directory
A collection of Victorian based resources to help Carers.
To see the full list, click here.