Health · Healthcare & Policy · 5 hrs ago
Young carers in Australia often miss out on support
Margo Villa began caring for her younger brother at age five and still helps him with daily routines and when he feels overwhelmed.
Her brother has autism, ADHD and intellectual disabilities, and the family lives in regional Victoria.
In Australia, a young carer is someone aged 25 or under who cares for a family member because of disability, illness, addiction or frail age.
As many as one in 10 young people in Australia may be young carers, but many are not recognised and can miss out on help, especially in rural areas.
A study found that two-thirds of young carers experienced extreme mental health challenges, and they were more likely than their peers to report suicidal thoughts and experiences or self-harm.
Little Dreamers provides therapy, counselling and other support for young carers.
Its 2024 report called for changes including recognising young carers in federal law; regional access and isolation remain concerns.
Young carers in Australia often miss out on support because of limited awareness and services, particularly in rural and regional areas.
As many as one in 10 young people in Australia are estimated to qualify as young carers.
A study reported that two-thirds of young carers experienced extreme mental health challenges.
Margo Villa began helping care for her younger brother when she was five and continues to support him.
Little Dreamers provides programs and services for young carers and has called for greater recognition of their needs.
- Who
- Young carers in Australia, including Margo Villa, who helps care for her younger brother.
- What
- Many young carers miss out on support, despite facing significant mental health risks.
- When
- The article was published on October 17, 2026. Margo began caring for her brother when she was five.
- Where
- Australia, with particular barriers reported in rural and regional areas.
- Why
- Limited awareness and education about young carers can make it difficult for them to be identified and access support.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Her parents first asked her to help look after her younger brother.
Margo continued to help care for her brother.
Little Dreamers released the Nothing For Us, Without Us report, outlining concerns and recommendations for young carers.
ABC Australia published its article about young carers missing out on support.
- Estimated share
- As many as one in 10 young people in Australia qualify as young carers
- Mental health challenges
- Two-thirds of young carers experienced extreme mental health challenges, according to a study
- Suicidal ideation and experiences, and self-harm
- Young carers were 86 per cent more likely than their peers to experience these
- Margo Villa
- Began helping care for her brother at age five
- Little Dreamers report
- Nothing For Us, Without Us, released in 2024
What people are saying
Being a migrant family living in regional Victoria, having no family support close by, there are times that sacrifices had to be made
I would prompt [my brother] to get ready in the mornings, help make his lunch box and I help him regulate himself when he's feeling overwhelmed
The barriers facing young carers in regional areas particularly are access to services and additional isolation, whether that's social isolation or physical location-based isolation