I am caring for someone:

And I am a young carer (under 25 years)

Young Carers are people up to the age of 25 who provide unpaid care to a family member or friend that lives with disability, a substance dependency, a physical or mental illness or a person who is frail with age. 

Many young carers perform tasks not normally undertaken by others in their age group.

If you find yourself providing any of the following unpaid tasks for a family member or friend, the answer might be yes. Your responsibilities might include shopping, cooking meals, looking after younger siblings, doing housework, helping with mobility, providing emotional supports, taking care of medications, managing family finances, helping communicate and personal care. 

  1. For you
  2. For the person you care for
  • For you

    SHAW Scholarships

    Wanting to finish year 12 or develop your education and training qualifications? Apply now for a Shaw Work and Care Scholarship.

    With thanks to the Shaw Building Group, Carers ACT, has a unique opportunity to support carers in pursuing and developing their education and training qualifications.

    The Shaw Work and Care Scholarship Program provides carers with the opportunity to participate in training and education that will improve employment opportunities and outcomes.  The scholarship will provide financial assistance to enable carers to engage in education or training at a certificate or diploma level in any trade or profession. Study can be undertaken in any number of ACT educational institutions or on-line courses including, but not limited to:

    • Construction/electrical/plumbing certificate
    • Certificate III/IV or Diploma in Aged Care or Disability Care – and potentially graduate to work with Carers ACT or one of our many service partners
    • Fitness/sports/massage
    • Culinary/hospitality
    • Communication/media/music
    • Gaming design
    • Re-sitting Year 12 Certificate

    Depending on the individual needs, the scholarship could include:

    • Certification costs
    • Books, equipment and materials needed to undertake the certificate or course
    • In collaboration with another community organisation, provide job ready skills – including interview techniques, assistance with CV development.
    Read Shaw stories

    What are my obligations if I’m successful?

    Educational Participation

    All scholarships are intended to support carers who are actively participating in study. Carers who have a scholarship and are not actively participating in study may be asked to pay back some or all of the scholarship amount

    Funding

    The SHAW Work and Care Scholarships will cover up to $5,000 of education/training costs. If successful Carers ACT will liaise directly with the educational/training institution.

    Media

    Successful applicants are expected to participate in SHAW Work and Care Scholarship media opportunities.

     

    How to apply

    If you would like to apply to be considered for the Shaw Work and Care Scholarship Program please complete the application form below.

    All applications will be assessed against suitability requirements. Submission of an application does not mean that you have been awarded a scholarship.

     

    For more information please contact us

    Contact us

     

    Or complete the Application Form and return it to carers@carersact.org.auor by mail to Carers ACT, 80 Beaurepaire Crescent, HOLT, ACT, 2615

    If you find yourself providing any of the following unpaid tasks for a family member or friend, the answer might be yes. Your responsibilities might include shopping, cooking meals, looking after younger siblings, doing housework, helping with mobility, providing emotional supports, taking care of medications, managing family finances, helping communicate and personal care.

    Being a young carer can be a rewarding experience but it can also be incredibly difficult at times, trying to balance study, friends and caring.

    It’s important to remember that no one has to care alone. We offer a range of services to help lighten the load and support you in your caring journey, including:

    • giving you information and advice
    • offering scholarships and assistance with education costs
    • referring you to counselling and/or support groups
    • arranging short-term replacement care so you can have a break, and
    • organising groups and activities with other young carers.

    If you are balancing your caring role and managing your school life, we can help by:

    • organising tuition to help with school work
    • working with teachers to help students balance their caring role and schoolwork
    • talking to your school about young carers, and

    helping your school form a young carers group.

    Contact our young care planner

    Delivered by Carers ACT and funded by Carer Gateway.

    Events and groups you can attend with the person you care for

    Sharing stories, knowledge and experience with other carers can remind you that you’re not alone. You can do this with people in your area by finding an event for you.

    Carers ACT runs many special interest groups for carers and the people they care for.  Some groups and activities are for everyone, and some are for people in certain aged groups or demographics.  Please read out event descriptions to see which activities are best for you.

    See current social groups

    Social groups for My Aged Care
    Carers ACT provides social connection programs and groups for anyone with a My Aged Care social connection code.  Our Groups Team organise a range of activities to cater for different interests and cultural groups.

    While our focus is always on carers and their wellbeing, we understand that most people will at some point on their life provide unpaid care to a family or friend. Social groups are one way we can help to build resilient, connected communities and foster support networks.

    Our social groups are accessible to anyone with a social support code through My Aged Care (over 65’s or over 55s for First Nations people).

    Contact Groups Team See current social groups
  • For the person you care for

    Events and groups you can attend with the person you care for

    Sharing stories, knowledge and experience with other carers can remind you that you’re not alone. You can do this with people in your area by finding an event for you.

    Carers ACT runs many special interest groups for carers and the people they care for.  Some groups and activities are for everyone, and some are for people in certain aged groups or demographics.  Please read out event descriptions to see which activities are best for you.

    See current social groups

    Social groups for My Aged Care
    Carers ACT provides social connection programs and groups for anyone with a My Aged Care social connection code.  Our Groups Team organise a range of activities to cater for different interests and cultural groups.

    While our focus is always on carers and their wellbeing, we understand that most people will at some point on their life provide unpaid care to a family or friend. Social groups are one way we can help to build resilient, connected communities and foster support networks.

    Our social groups are accessible to anyone with a social support code through My Aged Care (over 65’s or over 55s for First Nations people).

    Contact Groups Team See current social groups