3 April 2019
Media Release

Last night’s federal budget announcement provided some relief for carers which we were happy to see.

We were pleased with the government’s pledge to increase funding to the existing Integrated Carer Support Service by $84.3 million. Young Carers were mentioned alongside increased resources to help them stay in schools and higher education.

The government has also promised $528 million over five years towards a disability royal commission, which we believe is well overdue and commend this initiative.

As well as this, youth mental health has received a $461 million funding boost including 30 new Headspace centres. Whilst this is great progress, we would like to see more support for young people with serious mental health conditions.

We were disappointed in the government’s failure to act on the Newstart allowance. Young people on Newstart receive $40 per day, whilst aged pensioners receive $65. We believe greater funding for young people and their futures is drastically required as the cost of living continues to increase whilst youth support does not. There was also little mention of affordable housing initiatives in a housing market that is increasingly difficult to enter, particularly for the younger generation.

Overall, we believe more funding towards research, program development and education for and about Young Carers is fundamental in improving the quality of life of Young Carers and something we would like to see more prominently in the budget.