What it means to be a young carer

If you’re a young carer, you might be helping to look after a parent, grandparent, sibling or someone else close to you who has Essential Tremor (ET). Your role might involve helping with everyday tasks, like preparing meals, assisting with mobility or offering emotional support when symptoms become overwhelming.

Caring can be meaningful, but it’s not always easy. If you’re juggling school, work or friendships, it can feel overwhelming. You might feel proud of what you do and still feel tired, isolated or unsure where to turn. Support is available to help you stay connected and cared for.

Balancing your caring role with school, study, part-time work and friendships can be challenging. You may feel pulled in different directions – wanting to be there for the person with ET while also needing space to grow, connect and enjoy life as a young person.

It is okay to feel conflicted. Your education, social life and wellbeing are just as important as the care you provide. Making time for yourself is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Talking with trusted teachers, friends or family can help you find a rhythm that works for you, so you’re not carrying everything on your own.

Support can take many forms and both practical and emotional tools play a role in helping you feel more confident in your caring role.

Assistive equipment such as mobility aids or kitchen tools can help the person you care for manage daily tasks more easily and reduce some of the pressure on you. Talking with other young carers who share similar experiences can also provide valuable support.

Speaking with a counsellor, youth worker or school wellbeing coordinator can also help you feel heard and supported. And sometimes, simple practices like mindfulness, journaling, exercise or music can offer a quiet space to manage stress and recharge.

Developing strategies that support your emotional wellbeing does not just help you cope – it enables you to feel less alone.

You do not have to manage everything on your own.

If things start to feel overwhelming, whether it’s emotionally, mentally, or physically, you can speak with your GP about creating a Mental Health Care Plan. This plan gives you access to support from a psychologist or mental health professional, often with Medicare rebates to help cover the cost. It’s a practical step toward looking after your own wellbeing while caring for someone else.

There are also services and networks designed specifically for young carers in Australia.

Organisation Type of support
Young Carer’s Network Online resources, stories, scholarships and community connections across Australia
Carer Gateway National support and counselling
headspace Mental health support services for young people aged 12 to 25
State-based carer organisations All major states/territories have young carer support lines, programs and peer groups.
School/university student support Access wellbeing officers, special consideration or youth worker support.

Young Carers Network (Carers Australia)

Eligibility

For young carers aged 12 to 25 providing unpaid care to family or friends with disability, mental illness, chronic conditions, substance dependency, or who are elderly.

Cost

Participation and access to services are free.

Benefits

  • Information and connection to support services tailored to young carers.
  • Peer networks and community engagement opportunities.
  • The Young Carer Bursary Program offers up to $4,000 annually to help with education-related expenses.
  • Guidance on balancing caring with education, work and wellbeing.

Contact

Website: youngcarersnetwork.com.au

Call: (02) 6173 2620

Email: [email protected]

Carer Gateway

Eligibility

Carer Gateway supports unpaid carers of any age who provide care to someone with a disability, chronic condition, mental illness, or who is frail aged. Young carers aged under 25 are included. Self-referral accepted; no formal referral required.

Cost

Services through Carer Gateway are free of charge.

Benefits

  • Practical support such as respite care and assistance with household tasks.
  • Counselling and emotional support.
  • Skills coaching to manage caring responsibilities.
  • Connection to peer support groups.
  • Delivered in person, online and over the phone for convenience.

Contact

Call: 1800 422 737

Website: carergateway.gov.au

headspace

Eligibility

Young people aged 12 to 25 seeking support for mental health, physical health, work and study or alcohol and other drugs.

Cost

Most headspace services are free or low cost, depending on the service and funding. Some services may require a Medicare card or a Mental Health Care Plan, but self-referral is common and no doctor’s referral is required.

Benefits

  • Counselling and psychological services.
  • Health and wellbeing support, including GP consultations.
  • Support with education, employment and relationships.
  • Flexible access: in person, online or telephone.

Contact

Website: headspace.org.au

Phone: call your nearest headspace centre (contact details on website) or use online chat available on the website.

School or university student support

Many schools and universities have support staff who are knowledgeable about student wellbeing and disability services.

Connecting with these staff or services gives young carers access to support lines, counselling, peer groups, workshops, respite info, educational adjustments and community resources to help them balance caring with study and social life. If there isn’t a carer group at the school or university, these contacts can help set one up or connect carers with external organisations.

School counsellors or wellbeing coordinators: Provide confidential emotional and mental health support, may offer one-on-one counselling and help connect young carers to specialised programs or external services.

Disability liaison officers or learning support teachers: Assist students with health conditions or caregiving responsibilities by organising reasonable adjustments, assistive technology, tutoring and academic flexibility. They often facilitate or are aware of peer support or carer groups within the school community.

Student services or pastoral care teams: Provide holistic support, including social and practical assistance. They can help young carers manage balancing schoolwork with caring responsibilities and often organise workshops, peer mentoring or support groups.

Student wellbeing or support services offices: Offer counselling, mental health support and programs specifically for students facing challenges like caring roles. Also provide referrals to external support such as Carer Gateway or Young Carers Network.

Disability or accessibility services teams: Coordinate academic adjustments such as deadline extensions, note-taking assistance or alternative exam arrangements to accommodate caring responsibilities or related stressors. May have networks or peer groups providing social and practical support.

Student unions or representative bodies: May run or facilitate carer support groups, social events or advocacy initiatives, providing young carers with opportunities to connect, share experiences and raise awareness.

As a young carer, you have the right to an education, to feel safe and supported and to have time for yourself. This includes the right to inform your school or university about your carer role, enabling them to provide flexibility and extra support if needed. Speaking up about what you need – whether at school, in healthcare settings, or at home – can make your caring responsibilities more manageable.

Helpful tips when navigating your role

Small changes can make a big difference:

  • Build a support network of friends, family and community services to help share the load.
  • Create daily routines where possible, to reduce stress and bring predictability.
  • Celebrate small wins and acknowledge that the effort you put in each day counts.
  • Use a journal or calendar to track appointments, school commitments and social time.
  • Ask for help when you need it and remember it is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Olivia Nassaris CEO, Essential Tremor Australia with Nichole aka "Shakey Nan" and an ET-branded cake in front of Parliament House, Canberra

Join the ET community in Australia

We founded Essential Tremor Australia to support the 300,000+ Australians living with ET.

ET is the most common movement disorder, yet it remains widely misunderstood.

We raise awareness to reduce the stigma of ET, advocate for the community, and provide support and information to live well with the condition.