Support for Carers

For over a decade, Yarra Ranges Council has been successful in advancing disability inclusion through the implementation of the Disability Action Plan. This plan meets all legislative responsibilities and requirements for local government. The Plan ensures we work towards a common goal, advancing disability inclusion across all aspects of Council.  

Carers and unpaid carers are often hidden, working in the background to navigate complex systems and to provide continuous care without being recognised or renumerated. They often make significant personal sacrifices regarding their careers, social lives, education and financial security to care for others, this often impacts the carer’s mental and physical wellbeing. 

The importance of carers cannot be overstated. They deserve recognition, respect, and support for their contributions to their families, friends, and broader community.  

You can learn more about our plan and download a copy at Disability Action Plan. 

The Key Life Stages Plan demonstrates our commitment to the age-specific supports that Council delivers. By creating alignment between these supports we can better address gaps in the system, understand changing priorities and needs between generations, and foster intergenerational connection.

The Key Life Stages Plan 2025-2029 brings together the collective aspirations of our community, local data primarily from the 2021 Census, and the state, national and international policy contexts, to identify themes and actions for our key age cohorts:

• Early Years Actions
• Middle Years Actions
• Youth Actions
• Healthy and Active Ageing Actions

The unique needs of carers are represented throughout the plan. You can learn more and download the plan at Key Life Stages Plan.

Yarra Ranges Council recognises that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment or difference. We are committed to doing everything we can to eliminate these barriers and to promote genuine inclusion in our community.

The Pathways for Carers walks offer those caring for older people, or people with disability or mental illness an opportunity to share walks together and to learn more about news, services and supports available to carers. We will be joined on the walk by representatives from local organisations. A free coffee and cake are provided after each walk. For the latest updates, locations and cancellations, visit the Pathways for Carers Facebook page. 

Mt Evelyn walk details

Healesville walk details

• BrainLink – Carer Support Program – Supports carers and families to build skills and confidence in managing daily living challenges and complex behaviours.   To make a referral for a carer or to find out more about BrainLink’s Support for Carers Program, contact BrainLink directly.
  • Phone: 0498 333 088
  •  Email: carers@brainlink.org.au 
• Carer Gateway – An Australian Government service that helps carers find emotional, practical and respite support in their local area. All carers can access Carer Gateway services, including counselling and tailored support for those looking after someone with disability, a medical condition, mental illness or someone who is frail due to age.

• Carers Australia – The national peak body working to improve carers’ health, wellbeing, resilience and financial security.

• Victorian Government – Support for Carers Program (SCP) – Find a local SCP provider and explore tailored support options for carers across Victoria.

• Carers Victoria – Statewide information, resources and advocacy to support Victorian carers.

• Disability Gateway – Information and services to help people living with disability, their families, friends and carers find the support they need.

• VMCH Carer Support Services – Offers carers in Melbourne’s Eastern Region wellbeing activities, education sessions and referrals to long‑term support services.

• EACH Family Relationship Support for Carers (FRSC) – A statewide service offering counselling, mediation and future‑planning support for families caring for someone with disability. FRSC also delivers forums and group education sessions to help carers connect with services and peers. Phone: 1300 303 346.

• Kinship Carers Victoria (KCV) podcast series

• The Secret Life of Carers with Jamila Rizvi

Call: 1300 368 333
Email: youth@yarraranges.vic.gov.au
Follow: @YarraRangesYouth on social media

Yarra Ranges Council’s Healthy and Active Ageing Navigation Officers can explain how the My Aged Care system works and provide guidance to help you navigate aged care options. This free service takes the time to explore available choices with you and supports informed decision‑making based on your needs and circumstances.

For further information about services and programs available within the Yarra Ranges, please contact the Healthy and Active Ageing Navigation Officers.

Learn more: Navigating the Aged Care System

Call: 1300 368 333
Email: seniors@yarraranges.vic.gov.au
Subscribe: Vitality Matters Healthy Ageing Newsletter

Resources

• My Aged Care– Australian Government information and support to help older people, their families and carers access aged care services.

• Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) – A 24‑hour monitoring service that supports older people and people with disability to live independently. Contact PAV to check eligibility for this service.

• Caring for older Australians (Services Australia) – Information and resources to help you care for an older Australian.

Resources

• Young Carers Network – An online space for young carers to access support services, resources and peer connection, and to share their stories and experiences. It also includes the Young Carer Bursary Program, which provides financial support to young carers in greatest need, helping make life a bit easier while balancing study and caring responsibilities.

• Satellite Foundation – Provides support programs, groups and counselling for children and young people whose parent has a mental health challenge.

•  Rock Solid (Association for Children with Disability) – A free guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Victoria caring for school‑aged or younger children with additional needs. Rock Solid shares family stories and practical information about choosing a school, understanding education terminology, and knowing what support schools should provide.

• Little Dreamers – Supports young people aged 4–25 who provide care for a family member with disability, chronic or mental illness, addiction or age‑related frailty. Little Dreamers offers programs, mentoring, education support and advocacy. For more information, visit the Little Dreamers website.

• Carers Victoria – Young Carers – Provides dedicated information, advice and resources to support young carers across Victoria, including practical guidance and pathways to support services. 

Kinship carers provide care for children and young people who cannot live with their parents, often stepping into this role unexpectedly to support a family member. Yarra Ranges Council recognises the vital role kinship carers play in providing stability, connection and care for children within their family and community.

Support is available to help kinship carers navigate services, access information and connect with local and specialist supports that understand the unique circumstances of kinship care.

Resources

• Kinship Carers Victoria – Provides information, resources, advocacy and support for kinship carers across Victoria.

Resources

• Beyond Blue – Provides 24‑hour, 7‑day support to talk with a trained mental health professional about anxiety, depression and suicide, as well as information and resources for carers.

• Tandem – The trusted voice of family,carersand supporters in MentalHealth.

• FaPMI (Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness) – Supports families where a parent has experienced mental ill health and offers programs for families across all ages.

Networks

• North-East Metro Mental health and Wellbeing Connect Centre – Free support is available for families, carers, supporters and kin of people affected by mental health challenges and/or alcohol and other drug use. Support is provided by appointment only.
  Services are offered from two satellite locations in Melbourne’s Outer East:

• Lilydale – Lilydale Hub, 5/9 Clarke Street, Lilydale
• Belgrave – Belgrave Hub, 1616–1624 Burwood Highway, Belgrave

To make a referral or access peer support, carers can contact the peer support phone line:

Phone: 03 8850 4150

Email: northeastmetroconnect@accesshc.org.au

Resources

• Early Childhood Intervention (Carers Australia) – Information and guidance for carers supporting children aged 0–7 who have developmental delay or disability, including an overview of early intervention supports and how to access services.

Networks

• Different Journeys website – Chirnside Cuppa – A welcoming carers’ cuppa offering an opportunity for connection and peer support.
  
  When: 9:30 am to 11:30 am
  Where: Chirnside Park Country Club

Yarra Ranges Council’s Disability Inclusion Officer works to build inclusive communities and improve access for people with disability and their unpaid carers. Support includes information, connection to local services, and guidance on accessibility and inclusion across the municipality.

You can find more information on disability supports and accessibility initiatives by visiting our Disability Support page.

Call: 1300 368 333
Email: mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au
Subscribe: Disability Inclusion Newsletter

Resources

• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – Provides funding to eligible people with disability to support independence, participation in the community and improved quality of life. The NDIS also connects people with disability, their families and carers to local services and community supports, including health services, education, community groups and other government‑funded supports.

Resources

• Dementia Australia – The national peak body for people living with dementia, their families and carers. Dementia Australia provides reliable information, education and resources, as well as a 24‑hour, 7‑day National Dementia Helpline offering support, advice and referral services.

• Dementia Support Australia – Provides specialist support for carers and families, including tailored advice and assistance with changes in behaviours and care needs. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Networks

• Caladenia Carers Support Group – Provides free support groups, education and respite options for carers of people living with dementia, including general carer groups, men’s groups, younger onset dementia support and, after‑hours online sessions.
  
  Phone: 03 9727 2222

Resources

• Vision Australia – Provides information, resources and services for people who are blind or have low vision, as well as guidance and support for their carers and families.