‘Falling through the cracks’: New research uncovers urgent need to support young carers

• The number of young carers in Australia is soaring, with a 66% increase in the number of carers under the age of 25 since 2018.
• New research shows children carers, as young as eight years old, are not having their basic needs met and are struggling to balance the responsibilities of caring without sufficient support.
• Young carers face unique challenges including difficulties focusing on their education, forming social connections, and securing and maintaining employment.

A new study by the Centre for Social Impact at the University of Western Australia reveals the heavy burdens falling on young carers, including primary school-aged children.

These young people are often left with significant caring responsibilities without adequate external support networks to ensure their well-being and navigate their daily challenges.

The report highlights schools and support services have insufficient awareness to identify, understand, and assist young carers and their parents – leading many of these children to disengage from their education.

The research found children as young as eight years old describing the challenges they face in caring for family members, and highlighted the positive impact that a supportive program can play.

The report, which evaluates a Young Carers program in Western Australia, highlights the pressing need for greater supports for all young carers, but especially mental health assistance for those under 14 years old, finding that many mental health support services have high fees, long waiting lists, or will not accept young carers based on strict criteria.

The research underscores the crucial role of the education system in recognising and uplifting school-aged young people, advocating for stronger identification processes and robust support mechanisms within schools.

This call to action emphasises the urgent responsibility to safeguard the well-being and future of our youngest carers.

Currently, there are over 391,000 carers under the age of 25 in Australia, a substantial increase from 235,000 in 2018, including 17,000 who are primary carers.

Associate Professor Leanne Lester , Research Manager of the Centre for Social Impact UWA, said the study showed that too many young carers were living without adequate supports, potentially risking their health, education and wellbeing.

“Stress becomes the norm for young carers – not having money, a school uniform, food, and even a bed can become normalised,” she said. “Their education becomes a second priority, with young carers often missing school or disengaging due to their caring responsibilities.”

Professor Paul Flatau , Director of the Centre for Social Impact UWA, said the report was a wake-up call for government that could not be ignored.

“Recognising the surging demand in young carers in recent years, an immediate injection of resources is needed to allow for the support of all young carers to prevent them falling through the cracks,” he said. “The Department of Education needs specific policies setting out requirements for schools and education providers, to identify young carers and ensure they are supported.”

In response to the growing number of young carers, Carers WA developed the Young Carers program to support the 40,000 young people in WA alone who support a family member with disability and/or health challenges. Young carers reported that the program increased their resilience and improved their social wellbeing, quality of life and their family relationships.

Carers WA CEO Richard Newman said many of the young carers who came into the program were struggling to have their basic needs met, exacerbating the mental load that came with their caring responsibilities.

“Even before we talk about going back to school or trying to look for a job, we often need to address these immediate needs that are not being met,” he said. “A lot of the basic needs are because of the financial situation at home, like ‘I don’t have a proper bed to sleep in’, or ‘I’m cold at night because I haven’t got a blanket.’

“With the right support, young carers can thrive. We need to be doing more to make sure young carers have the network and resources around them to not only support their caring, but also themselves as young people in a critical stage of life.”

While young carers under age 25 can be eligible for financial support from the government, as of March 2024, less than 2% were receiving the Carer Payment or Carer Allowance.

The report details specific cases of young carers, including a four-year old child who was observed feeding and comforting her younger brother with disability. The girl displayed signs of stress and indications of stepping into a parent role, with difficulty engaging in age-appropriate play and activities. Carers WA worked with her parents to help them access additional support, reducing the caring burden on the girl who was re-engaged in age-appropriate activities and began to show improvements in her emotional wellbeing.