The Victorian Government is supporting the health and wellbeing of Victoria’s hardworking unpaid carers with more than $12 million to ensure they can get the downtime they need to care for themselves.
Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan today announced that expressions of interest are now open for service providers and community organisations to deliver extra help to the more than 736,000 Victorian carers who selflessly provide invaluable support to partners, family members or friends in need.
Applications are being sought for innovative programs and partnership approaches that broaden opportunities for carers to take a break from their important role – whether that means an extra pair of hands so they can take a day off or having the opportunity to go to the gym a couple of times a week.
We know carers seeking paid employment can also be disadvantaged re-entering the workforce after taking the time to care for a loved one, which is why we’re delivering grants to provide carers with support to do this.
A range of service providers and community organisations are encouraged to apply for these funding opportunities, including carer support organisations, carer peak bodies, community services, employment transition support organisations, neighbourhood houses, local councils and health services.
Partnerships between organisations are strongly encouraged, particularly to improve service accessibility to rural and regional communities and carers from diverse backgrounds.
The Government has recognised the importance of additional carer support with nearly $50 million over four years for extra respite, transport concessions and grants for local carer groups – in addition to recurrent respite funding through the Support for Carers Program.
Expressions of interest open on 18 August and will close on 7 September.
More information on additional respite funding can be found here .
For details of the carer employment support grants, visit .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan
“Carers are the unsung heroes of our community. They do an incredible job caring for loved ones and it’s critical they get the support and downtime they need for themselves.”
“One in five carers give up work to care for someone else and it can be challenging to study and return to work without the right support – which is why we are boosting career opportunities with these grants.”
Quote attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and Volunteers Anthony Carbines
“I encourage service providers and community organisations to think about how they could expand their support and respite services to carers and apply.”
Reviewed 18 August 2021