Almost two-thirds of young carers say caring has cost them part of their childhood

Attending medical appointments, managing the family finances, keeping track of siblings’ activities and school needs: for many young carers in Australia, this is what growing up looks like. And a growing proportion say they are missing out.

Early data from this year’s Carer Wellbeing Survey shows that 65% of young carers say they have missed out on part of their childhood because of their caring role, up from 54% in 2025. The figures offer a snapshot of life for the almost 400,000 young carers in the country.

The pressures extend into education and work. Among those in secondary or tertiary education, 46% said they felt behind because of caring, up from 42% last year. Half said they could not work as much as they would like, compared with 41% in 2025.

Not being heard

The survey also points to young carers feeling overlooked. Just 53% said they felt included in planning and decisions about the person they care for, down from 67% a year ago. Fewer than half said they were treated with respect as a young carer (44%), while only 46% said their opinions and concerns were heard and acknowledged.

Access to peer support also appears to be declining. Only 18% said they could connect with other young carers through peer support groups, down from 30% in 2025.

There was one brighter note: 54% said they could easily make friends with young people who are not carers.

‘Making carers visible’

Joanna Cave, chief executive of Carers Australia, said the findings showed why young carers needed greater recognition, support and opportunities to take part fully in education and work. Failing to provide them, she said, could have significant consequences for the rest of their lives.

“Young carers are often forced to take on many more responsibilities within their families than their peers,” she said. They might attend medical appointments, manage family finances and administration, or take on the mental load of coordinating siblings’ activities and school needs, all while keeping up with their own learning and social activities.

Cave said caring could also be isolating, affecting young people’s ability to make and keep friends and attend school or university. This could contribute to poorer education outcomes and put them at risk of long-term income support dependency.

Cave said young carers could get financial help through the Australian Government-funded Young Carer Bursary, and information and support through the Young Carer Network. Carer Gateway offers counselling, coaching, peer support and referrals to respite.

“These are all helpful initiatives, but we would like to see more,” she said.

This year’s National Carers Week, which runs from 11 to 17 October, has the theme “Care for a carer: making carers visible”. Cave said education and health systems needed to do more to “recognise, listen to, and support young carers to thrive alongside their caring roles”.

“Young carers should not be disadvantaged because they take on a caring role,” she said. “Targeted supports that improve young carers’ education and employment outcomes will also benefit the Australian community.”

About the survey

The data is preliminary and subject to change. The Carer Wellbeing Survey drew responses from 7,942 current carers and 1,266 past carers. It is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and prepared for Carers Australia by the WellRes Unit at the University of Canberra’s Health Research Institute. The research was partially funded by the Australian Research Council.

Carers Australia also has information, stories, events and resources available as part of National Carers Week at carersweek.com.au