This month the Australian Government announced nearly $10 million of increased funding to support young carers to continue their education.
The Young Carer Bursary Program offers financial assistance to carers aged 12 to 25 to help with educational needs and resources and reduce their need to undertake paid work at the same time as their study and caring duties. The bursary program has supported more than 9,000 young carers to date.
The value of the bursary will increase from $3,000 to $3,768, including for those who are already receiving the bursary in 2023. Carers Australia will contact all the young carers who have a 2023 bursary about how and when they will receive the additional funds.
There will also be more bursaries awarded, increasing from 1000 to 1592 each year. Some of the applicants for the 2023 bursary who missed out due to the limit on the number of bursaries may now qualify. Carers Australia will contact those on our waiting list about the next steps in the coming weeks.
Applications for the 2024 Young Carer Bursary round will open on 18 July and close on 12 September 2023.
To stay up to date with information and opportunities for young carers, register with Carers WA here.
