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About Us

Make Life Better

What We Do

Hello! We're Australia’s leading Young Carer organisation, supporting young people who provide unpaid care for a family member affected by disability, chronic or mental illness, substance use or frail age, in VIC, NSW and QLD. Since our launch in 2009, we've become a game changing force in the Young Carer space, developing internationally recognised best practice programs and changing the lives of thousands of Young Carers around Australia.

Across a range of direct support programs, both in-person and online, we're working to improve the quality of life of Young Carers across five key areas of risk: education, employment, mental and physical health, social wellbeing and financial literacy.

A young Maddy and her Co-Founder, Bec, sit proudly in front of a bright blue Little Dreamers poster the is pinned to the wall. The poster features our original Little Dreamers logo (a fairy silhouette holding a wand) and a collage of photos that are too small to decipher. Maddy wears a red beanie and a striped white off the shoulder top, and Bec on the right has long light brown hair and a fringe, with a light grey and pink t-shirt.

Our Story

Our story began when our Founder and CEO was just nine years old and asked the very question that still drives us today, “who cares for the carers?”

Maddy grew up caring for her younger brother, who had a range of chronic illnesses, and her mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. At nine years of age, she identified a gap in the support system for Young Carers and began to raise awareness through fundraising events and stalls.

Over a decade later and with more than 6,500 young people reached nationwide, Little Dreamers is Australia’s leading Young Carer organisation. Across a range of key support programs co-designed with young people in caring roles, we’re breaking down barriers and empowering youth, with a vision to ensure that every Young Carer around the world is supported by someone or something by the year 2030.

 

Watch our Documentary
About Us

Young Carers

A Young Carer is someone aged 25 or under who provides care for a family member affected by disability, chronic or mental illness, addiction, or frail age.

We know from experience that being a carer can be an amazing thing. Young Carers often learn compassion, kindness and empathy from having a caring role, and develop an incredible bond with the person they care for. But being a Young Carer can also significantly impact on one’s education, social life, employment and mental and physical health. That’s where we come in!

Did you know?

  • It’s estimated that 1 in 10 young people in Australia are carers
  • Young Carers are twice as likely to be disengaged from work or study than their peers
  • Carers have higher rates of poverty than non carers
  • 2 in 3 Young Carers experience mental health challenges

 

More statistics

Our Team

Maddy's Headshot
Maddy

Founder and CEO

Erin's Headshot
Erin

People and Culture Manager

Laura's Headshot
Laura

Head of Programs

Tasha's Headshot
Tasha

Family Support Manager

Lindsay's Headshot
Lindsay

Executive Manager (Carer Gateway)

Natalie's Headshot
Natalie

Branding and Communications Manager (Currently on Parental Leave)

Jasmine's Headshot
Jasmine

Marketing and Communications Manager

Jacqueline's Headshot
Jacqueline

Fundraising & Events Manager

Kristie's Headshot
Kristie

Quality and Compliance Lead

Jacqueline's Headshot
Jacqueline

Young Carer Voice Lead

Amy's Headshot
Amy

Peer Support Practice Lead

Tahnee's Headshot
Tahnee

Coaching Practice Lead

Richard's Headshot
Richard

Counselling & Intake Lead

Sara's Headshot
Sara

Young Carer Wellbeing Hub Lead

Romi's Headshot
Romi

Young Carer Wellbeing Hub Program Facilitator & Office Coordinator

Kirsten's Headshot
Kirsten

Young Carer Wellbeing Hub Art Therapist

Amber's Headshot
Amber

Young Carer Engagement Lead

Melanie's Headshot
Melanie

Young Carer Engagement Coordinator

Amelia's Headshot
Amelia

Family Support Worker

Lisa's Headshot
Lisa

Programs Lead

Bec's Headshot
Bec

Programs Lead

Clara's Headshot
Clara

Regional Program Lead (Lismore)

PJ's Headshot
PJ

IT Administrator

Janine's Headshot
Janine

Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Sydney

Brooke's Headshot
Brooke

Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Brisbane

Lucy's Headshot
Lucy

Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Brisbane

Kathryn's Headshot
Kathryn

Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Bundaberg

Louisa's Headshot
Louisa

Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Bundaberg

Lyndel's Headshot
Lyndel

Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Bundaberg

Chantell's Headshot
Chantell

Young Carer Support Coordinator (Peer Support) Toowoomba

Beck's Headshot
Beck

Young Carer Support Coordinator (Coaching) Brisbane

Christina's Headshot
Christina

Young Carer Support Coordinator (Coaching) Bundaberg

Ashleigh's Headshot
Ashleigh

Young Carer Support Coordinator (Coaching) NSW

Erin T's Headshot
Erin T

Young Carer Support Coordinator (Coaching) Toowoomba

Melita's Headshot
Melita

Community Engagement Coordinator

Elizabeth's Headshot
Elizabeth

Volunteer Coordinator

Gurpavan's Headshot
Gurpavan

Young Carer Counsellor (QLD)

Josie's Headshot
Josie

Young Carer Counsellor (QLD)

Niamh's Headshot
Niamh

Young Carer Counsellor (QLD)

Daisy's Headshot
Daisy

Chief Barketing Officer

Our Board

Tom Levi GAICD: Chair's Headshot
Tom Levi GAICD: Chair

Principal at Nous Group

Dana Rochwerger's Headshot
Dana Rochwerger

Co-Founder at Not a Pony, Head of Digital and Funday Sweets

Darren Lomman's Headshot
Darren Lomman

Business Owner

Our Ambassadors

Elise Pulbrook's Headshot
Elise Pulbrook

Dena Kaplan's Headshot
Dena Kaplan

Ariel Kaplan's Headshot
Ariel Kaplan

Gemma-Ashley Kaplan's Headshot
Gemma-Ashley Kaplan

Little Dreamers Australia

Watch Cybaal's Story

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Make Life Better

Our Advocates

Little Dreamers

"Young Carers are some of the most resourceful and resilient people around. Heavy responsibilities rest on their shoulders and they face and overcome challenges, often daily, that most adults would struggle to solve. We should champion all children and young people in caring roles, recognise their talent and support them to have the choices and freedom that the rest of us take for granted."

Little Dreamers

"There is an emerging consensus that around 10% of children and young people are Young Carers. They are involved in various caring roles for an ill or disabled relative/parent in their family, such as showering them, helping them to the toilet, keeping an eye on them, etc. These children represent a hidden army of young people who are also family carers. They will be on your street, in your community, in your schools . . . . can you see them yet?"

Little Dreamers

"If you’re a young adult caregiver, I implore you to share your story. Make yourself known. This may mean opening up to a friend, forming an online peer support group, or meeting with your state representative. Whatever you do, however seemingly big or small, is incredibly important in ensuring that the world knows that you serve an invaluable role as a young adult caregiver. Your acts of sacrifice are courageous and inspiring, particularly in a society that increasingly argues that today’s millennials are selfish and narcissistic. You are irreplaceable. You matter."

Hey, Young Carers in Queensland — we want to hear from you!

We're looking for 15–20 Young Carers (ages 8–25) to take part in an exciting new project to help shape how the Queensland Government listens to and supports Young Carers — and yes, you'll be paid for your time!

You'll join four online workshops between mid-May and mid-June, where we'll explore creative and powerful ways for Young Carers to share their voices, express their needs, and share ideas for better policies.

Your insights will directly help build a model the Queensland Government can use to engage with Young Carers now and in the future. After the workshops, Little Dreamers will present your ideas and feedback to the Government — and you'll be at the heart of it all.

Sound like something you'd love to be part of? Don't miss out — applications close Sunday 11 May. 👉 Submit your expression of interest now by following the link in our bio!

(Queensland residents only. All workshops are online and accessible.)

Hey, Young Carers in Queensland — we want to hear from you!

We`re looking for 15–20 Young Carers (ages 8–25) to take part in an exciting new project to help shape how the Queensland Government listens to and supports Young Carers — and yes, you`ll be paid for your time!

You`ll join four online workshops between mid-May and mid-June, where we`ll explore creative and powerful ways for Young Carers to share their voices, express their needs, and share ideas for better policies.

Your insights will directly help build a model the Queensland Government can use to engage with Young Carers now and in the future. After the workshops, Little Dreamers will present your ideas and feedback to the Government — and you`ll be at the heart of it all.

Sound like something you`d love to be part of? Don`t miss out — applications close Sunday 11 May. 👉 Submit your expression of interest now by following the link in our bio!

(Queensland residents only. All workshops are online and accessible.)
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With the 2025 Federal Election coming up this Saturday, 3 May, many Young Carers might be voting for the first time and asking: what does this election mean for me?

Well, we've done some homework so you can feel more confident heading to the polls by reviewing the major party platforms and highlighting what's being promised for Young Carers and young people. Our guide looks at four categories: 

⭐️ Support for Carers and Social Services 
⭐️ Mental Health and Wellbeing
⭐️ Education and Support for Young People
⭐️ Cost of Living and Community Supports

Your voice matters and can help shape the future of Young Carers! Read more on the blog at bit.ly/know-your-vote or follow the link in our bio⚡️

Please note that this guide is not an exhaustive list of all of the major parties and independents' pre-election commitments. We encourage you to do your own research and use this guide as a starting point. For further resources, check out @theconversation.aunz Policy Tracker and the @abcnews_au Labor and Coalition election commitments.

With the 2025 Federal Election coming up this Saturday, 3 May, many Young Carers might be voting for the first time and asking: what does this election mean for me?

Well, we`ve done some homework so you can feel more confident heading to the polls by reviewing the major party platforms and highlighting what`s being promised for Young Carers and young people. Our guide looks at four categories:

⭐️ Support for Carers and Social Services
⭐️ Mental Health and Wellbeing
⭐️ Education and Support for Young People
⭐️ Cost of Living and Community Supports

Your voice matters and can help shape the future of Young Carers! Read more on the blog at bit.ly/know-your-vote or follow the link in our bio⚡️

Please note that this guide is not an exhaustive list of all of the major parties and independents` pre-election commitments. We encourage you to do your own research and use this guide as a starting point. For further resources, check out @theconversation.aunz Policy Tracker and the @abcnews_au Labor and Coalition election commitments.
...

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"Lived experience is vital in enabling us to design and deliver tailored, nuanced programs. We also recognise that the Young Carer space is constantly changing, so it is essential to centre the voices of current Young Carers by embedding their insights into all aspects of our work."

Our incredible Young Carer Voice Lead, @jacq.dm, writes about "The importance of Centring Lived and Living Experiences" in our newest blog post. Read more at the link in our bio 💫

"Lived experience is vital in enabling us to design and deliver tailored, nuanced programs. We also recognise that the Young Carer space is constantly changing, so it is essential to centre the voices of current Young Carers by embedding their insights into all aspects of our work."

Our incredible Young Carer Voice Lead, @jacq.dm, writes about "The importance of Centring Lived and Living Experiences" in our newest blog post. Read more at the link in our bio 💫
...

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You already know our 16th Birthday Gala Dinner is going to be epic… but let’s talk about our incredible celebrity guests bringing the vibes on the night!

🎤 Christian O’Connell (@mrchristianoconnell) -  Host of Melbourne’s #1 Breakfast radio show on @gold1043 is serving as our MC! Expect plenty of laughs, quick wit, and the kind of energy that’ll keep the night buzzing from start to finish.

🎵 DJ Jodilly (@jodilly) - You may have seen her slay on Asia’s Next Top Model, but trust us - she’s just as fierce behind the decks as she is on the runway!

It’s all happening - iconic guests, delicious food, live and silent auctions, and the ultimate ‘80s Prom party! And the best part? Every ticket sold helps support Little Dreamers continue to improve the quality of life of Young Carers.

When: Saturday 17th May from 7pm-11pm
Where: Ormond Hall, Melbourne

Still need tickets? Don’t wait - come and celebrate 16 years of impact with us!

Get your tickets ➡️ bit.ly/LD-turns-16 or via the link in our bio!

You already know our 16th Birthday Gala Dinner is going to be epic… but let’s talk about our incredible celebrity guests bringing the vibes on the night!

🎤 Christian O’Connell (@mrchristianoconnell) - Host of Melbourne’s #1 Breakfast radio show on @gold1043 is serving as our MC! Expect plenty of laughs, quick wit, and the kind of energy that’ll keep the night buzzing from start to finish.

🎵 DJ Jodilly (@jodilly) - You may have seen her slay on Asia’s Next Top Model, but trust us - she’s just as fierce behind the decks as she is on the runway!

It’s all happening - iconic guests, delicious food, live and silent auctions, and the ultimate ‘80s Prom party! And the best part? Every ticket sold helps support Little Dreamers continue to improve the quality of life of Young Carers.

When: Saturday 17th May from 7pm-11pm
Where: Ormond Hall, Melbourne

Still need tickets? Don’t wait - come and celebrate 16 years of impact with us!

Get your tickets ➡️ bit.ly/LD-turns-16 or via the link in our bio!
...

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