Information and support available for people with a care role.
Carers
Carers are people who provide unpaid care and support to family members, friends and community members with care needs. These could be age-related care needs, or needs related to disability, mental illness, or other chronic health conditions.
Unpaid carers may want and need support to carry out their care role. It is also essential that carers are linked to appropriate services to help them maintain their own health and wellbeing.
Carers come from all ages, backgrounds and circumstances. Many carers have care needs themselves, and not everyone with caring responsibilities self-identifies as a carer.
This page includes links to more information and support available for people with a care role.
Support for carers
Applications for the Support for Carers Program 2027-2031 are now open and close at 3 pm on 23 October 2026.
Eligible organisations can apply for funding between $100,000 and $2 million per year over 4 years.
You can find out more about the Victorian Government’s support for unpaid carers on the government’s carers webpage.
Carers Victoria
Carers Victoria is the statewide peak body for unpaid carers, representing and providing support to carers in Victoria.
To find out more visit the Carers Victoria website.
Carer rights and recognition
The Carers Recognition Act 2012 formally recognises and values the role of carers and the importance of care relationships in the Victorian community.
The Act includes a set of principles recognising the role of unpaid carers and highlighting the significance of care relationships. The
Act specifies obligations for:
- state government agencies
- local councils, and
- other organisations that interact with people in care relationships.
To find out more visit the Victorian Carer Strategy 2025–2035 and Caring rights and representing others.