Are you a carer?

Could you be a carer?

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend, or loved one living with:

• disability
• a medical condition
• mental health challenges
• alcohol or drug dependency
• frailty due to ageing.

To work out if you’re a carer, it can help to think about your everyday routines:

• Do you regularly help someone with daily activities like cooking, shopping, or cleaning?
• Do you assist someone with personal care tasks such as showering, dressing, or eating?
• Do you help someone get to medical appointments or manage their medications?
• Do you provide regular emotional support or keep someone company?
• Do you help someone who would struggle to cope without your support?
• Do you advocate for or organise services and routines for someone?
• Has your caring role affected your own health, time, work, or relationships?

If you answered yes to any of these, you may be a carer, even if you have never used that word before.

Carers can be people of any age, background, or culture. You don’t need to live with, be related to, or provide full-time care to the person you are supporting.

Caring looks different for everyone. But many carers face similar challenges that can affect their own wellbeing.

What help is available?

As a carer in Victoria, you can access free services through our carer support programs. These programs can help you stay well and continue in your caring role.

Support through Carer Gateway may include:

• Carer support planning to identify what you need
• Coaching and counselling to help you manage stress and build resilience
• Peer support groups so you can connect with other carers
• Tailored support packages to help with education, transport, or equipment
• Respite care so you can take a break
• Emergency planning and carer cards for peace of mind
• Support specifically for young carers aged 8 to 25
• Information and referrals to other helpful services in your area.

What is Carer Gateway? Find out