$6M Grant To Help Aussie Youth Continue Education

With everyone grappling with cost-of-living pressures, many of the country’s young people are taking up a carer role for friends and families to help minimise costs.

The $6 million Commonwealth Government grant provides added financial aid and support for young people to continue their educational journey while providing unpaid care to family and friends.

Young Carer Bursary will offer 1,592 grants nationwide, with each grant providing a young carer with up to $3,768 to assist them with the costs of education in the 2024 academic year.

With high inflation on groceries and bills, soaring rents, a housing crisis and low wage growth, funding is vital to help to support these young people to carry out their vital carer roles.

Young carers are 12 to 25 years of age and provide substantial unpaid care to a family member or friend facing disability, illness, injury, mental health, and aged care, through to dependence on alcohol or drugs.

Most care for a parent or a sibling, and more than a third care for two or more relatives.

CEO of Carers Australia, Alison Brooksaid young carers were hugely inspiring and provided a nurturing role typically beyond their years.

“However, caring comes with considerable pressure that can be very isolating,” Ms Brooksaid said.

“I’m so pleased we are able to provide some financial relief in the form of an educational grant to enable these young people to remain able and committed to their studies.”

Young carers helped with many tasks like household chores, paying bills, personal care, giving medication and emotional support.

The available grants would impact and acknowledge the lives of those struggling to juggle caring duties alongside education, work and their own, personal interests and development.

The Young Carer Bursary Program supports young carers to continue with their education and reduce their need to undertake paid work at the same time as their study and caring duties.

Applications for the 2024 Young Carer Bursary Program will remain open until September 12. Ind more information at https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/bursary/young-carer-bursary/.

• Topics:

• Grants / Funding
• Health & Wellbeing
• Education