Carer and community organisations play a key role to support carers and the people they care for. They provide support and services to help carers with their care giving role.
The below organisations can help you find the support you need.
You can find help near you at the Victorian Support for Carers program webpage. You can also visit the Victorian Additional Respite webpage.
On this page
Victorian Carer peak bodies
Carers Victoria
Carers Victoria is the Victorian peak body for unpaid carers across Victoria. They help carers find and connect with local, state and national carer supports.
For more information visit the Carers Victoria website or call 1800 514 845.
Little Dreamers
Little Dreamers is the peak body for young carers aged 4 – 25. They support young people who help care for a family member or friend with care needs. This includes people with disability, chronic or mental illness, substance use, care support needs due to dementia, or older age-related needs.
For more information visit the Little Dreamers website or call 1800 717 515.
Tandem
Tandem is the Victorian peak body representing unpaid carers who care for people with mental health issues. This includes family members and supporters of people living with mental health challenges. They also provide advocacy and peer support.
For more information visit the Tandem website or call 03 8803 5555.
Commonwealth carer support
Carer Gateway
The Commonwealth Carer Gateway delivers services and support to carers across Australia.
In Victoria, Holstep Health delivers the Carer Gateway for the Commonwealth.
For more information visit the Carer Gateway website or call 1800 422 737.
You can also visit the Holstep Health carer support webpage for more information.
Services Australia
Services Australia provides payments and services to eligible unpaid carers. Payments and supports include:
- Carer allowance
- Carer payment
- Concession cards
- Care Gateway
- MyAged Care.
For more information visit the Service Australia website.
Child and foster care support
Advocating for Children with a Disability and their families (ACD)
ACD provide advice to families who have children with disability. They provide a range of supports including peer, counselling and wellbeing support.
For more information visit the ACD website or call 9880 7000 or 1800 654 013 (regional).
Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare
The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (CFECFW) Tas/Vic is the peak body in child and family services in Victoria and Tasmania. They represent organisations from early intervention to the provision of out-of-home care.
For more information visit the CFECFW website or call 9614 1577.
Foster Care Association of Victoria
The Foster Care Association of Victoria (FCAV) is the peak body for Victorian foster carers. They work for better outcomes for foster carers and the children and young people in their care.
For more information visit the FCAV website or call 9416 4292.
Disability and health conditions support
BrainLink
BrainLink supports people impacted by brain injury. They run a Carer Support Program for unpaid carers. They also support people with neurological conditions that change over time.
For more information visit the BrainLink website or call 1800 677 579.
Cancer Council Victoria
Cancer Council Victoria provides information and helps people affected by cancer. They also run the Victorian Quit Line to help people stop smoking.
For more information visit the Cancer Council Victoria website or call 13 11 20.
Dementia Australia
Dementia Australia is the national peak body that supports people with dementia. They provide a range of information, education and support services for carers and family members.
For more information visit the Dementia Australia website or call 1800 100 500.
Dementia Support Australia
Dementia Support Australia supports people living with dementia with behaviour changes. They help understand the causes and help improve their quality of life.
For more information visit the Dementia Support Australia website or call 1800 699 799.
Diabetes Victoria
Diabetes Victoria supports people with diabetes, families, communities and health systems across Victoria. Diabetes Victoria delivers the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) in Victoria.
For more information visit the Diabetes Victoria website or call 1300 637 386.
Down Syndrome Victoria
Down Syndrome Victoria is a peak organisation. They help people with down syndrome and their families.
For more information visit the Down Syndrome Victoria website or 9486 9600.
Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation support people with epilepsy. They help children with epilepsy get a good education. They also help people with epilepsy get and keep their jobs and help people feel safe and connected.
For more information visit the Epilepsy Foundation website or call 1300 761 487.
Fight Parkinson's
Fight Parkinson’s supports people living with Parkinson’s. They also support research, and provide education on Parkinson’s disease.
For more information visit the Fight Parkinson’s website or call 1800 644 189.
Huntington's Victoria
Huntington’s Victoria supports people and their families impacted by Huntington’s disease.
For more information visit the Huntington’s Victoria website or call 1800 063 501.
Kidney Health Australia
Kidney Health Australia provides life-long support for people living with kidney disease.
For more information visit the Kidney Health Australia website or call 1800 454 363.
Leukaemia Foundation
The Leukaemia Foundation supports people and their families impacted by leukaemia. They have trained healthcare professionals who provide emotional and practical support.
For more information visit the Leukaemia Foundation website or call 1800 620 420.
Multiple Sclerosis Plus Neuro Wellbeing (MS Plus)
MS Plus supports people with MS and their families. They also support people with other neurological conditions. They provide advice, wellbeing and peer support and can help with employment and the NDIS.
For more information visit the MS Plus website or call 1800 042 138.
MND Victoria
MND Victoria helps people with motor neurone disease and their families for free. They also support people with Kennedy's Disease. MND Victoria helps people living in Victoria, Tasmania and the border area of New South Wales.
For more information visit the MND Victoria website or call 1800 777 175.
National Continence Helpline
The National Continence Helpline is for people with bladder issues. Trained nurses provide help over the telephone.
For more information visit the Disability and Ageing Bladder and Bowel webpage or call 1800 330 066.
Scope
Scope supports people with intellectual and physical disability. They also support people with multiple disability in Victoria and New South Wales.
For more information visit the Scope website or call 1300 472 673.
Medical support
Nurse-On-Call
Nurse-on-Call can provide immediate help from a registered nurse over the telephone. The telephone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can provide advice on when you need to see a doctor or go to the hospital.
For more information visit the Victorian Government Better Health Channel Nurse-on-Call webpage or call 1300 606 024.
Victorian Virtual Emergency Department
Victorian Virtual Emergency Department is a public health service to treat non-life-threatening emergencies. You will be connected with an emergency doctor or nurse via video call from your computer or mobile phone.
For more information visit the Virtual Emergency Department website or call 03 9485 9070.
Urgent Care Clinics
Urgent Care Clinics provide fast medical help for infections, fevers, cuts, burns, fractures and sprains. They are free and provide urgent care faster than a hospital.
For more information visit the Urgent Care Clinic webpage to find a clinic near you.
Older people support
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria
COTA Victoria helps people aged 50 and over in Victoria. They help with advice, education and help protect the rights of older Victorians.
For more information visit the COTA Victoria website or call 03 9655 2100.
First Nations and Multicultural support
Australian Multicultural Community Services (AMCS)
AMCS provides ca range of services for culturally diverse people. This includes carer support services.
For more information visit the AMCS website or call 03 9689 9170.
Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV)
ECCV is the peak body who support migrant and refugee communities. They provide advice on aged care, ageing, human rights, health and community services.
For more information visit the ECCV website or call 9354 9555.
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
VACCHO is the peak body for health and wellbeing for First Nations people and carers in Victoria. They work with partner organisations to support First Nations people, carers and communities.
For more information visit the VACCHO website or call 03 9411 9411.
Mental health support
Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria
Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria provide support, information and resources to people affected by anxiety, depression, and other issues.
For more information visit the Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria website or call 03 9853 8089.
BeyondBlue
Beyond Blue helps people with mental health issues. They provide information and support to help people get well and stay well.
For more information visit the BeyondBlue website or call 1300 224 636.
Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria
Eating Disorder Victoria support people affected by eating disorders. They help them to get the support they need to recover as soon as possible.
For more information visit the Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria website or call 1300 550 236.
Kids Help Line
Kids Helpline is a confidential free 24/7 online and telephone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
For more information visit the Kids Help Line website or call 1800 551 800.
Lifeline
Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis and suicide prevention support to people experiencing emotional distress.
For more information visit the Lifeline website or call 13 11 14.
Mental Health Foundation of Australia Victoria
Mental Health Foundation of Australia (Victoria) supports people with mental health issues and their families. Supports are free or at low-cost.
For more information visit the Mental Health Foundation of Australia (Victoria) website or call 6221 0393.
SuicideLine Victoria
Suicide Line Victoria provides 24/7 support to people experiencing mental health issues. They help people thinking of suicide and those impacted by suicide.
For more information visit the Suicide Line Victoria website or call 1300 651 251.
Neurodivergence support
Amaze
Amaze supports autistic people and their families to live their best lives.
For more information visit the Amaze website or call 1300 308 699.
Aspergers Victoria
Aspergers Victoria helps autistic and neurodivergent people. They help people to connect, with employment, and help with advocacy.
For more information visit the Aspergers Victoria website or call 0480 385 710.
Different Journeys
Different Journeys provides peer support and social connection for autistic people. They support metropolitan carers and regional carers in the Bendigo and Gippsland areas.
For more information visit the Different Journeys website or call 0490 774 068.
Young carer support
Little Dreamers
Little Dreamers is the peak body for young carers and supports young people aged 4 – 25. They support young people who help care for a family member or friend affected by disability, chronic or mental illness, substance use, or care support needs due to dementia, or older age-related needs.
For more information visit the Little Dreamers website or call 1800 717 515.
Young Carers Network
The Young Carers Network is a national resource to raise young carer awareness, provide information, and direct young carers to appropriate supports.
For more information visit the Young Carers Network website or call 1800 242 636.
Travel support
Accessible Parking Permits
Accessible Parking Permits provide parking concessions to people with impaired mobility. They administer the Australian Disability Parking Permit for people and organisations. They also administer the Victorian Double Time Permit.
For more information visit the Accessible Parking Permits website or call 13 11 71.
Multi purpose Taxi Program (MPTP)
MPTP helps people access subsidised fares for commercial passenger vehicles. People with accessibility or mobility needs may be eligible for the program.
For more information visit the Multi Purpose Taxi program webpage or call 1800 638 802.
Travellers Aid
Travellers Aid helps people with mobility issues travel on Victorian public transport. They can also help people with disability, impairment or older people with care needs. Find support hubs at Flinders Street, Southern Cross, Ballarat and Seymour stations.
For more information visit the Travellers Aid website or call (03) 9654 2600.
Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS)
VPTAS helps people who need to travel a long way for specialist medical appointments. The program can help subsidise travel and accommodation costs.
For more information visit the VPTAS website or call 1300 737 073.
Aids and equipment
Personal Alert Victoria (PAV)
PAV is a 24/7 personal monitoring service. They help older people and people with disabilities to live with independence
Peninsula Health MePACS is Victoria's PAV service provider.
For more information visit the Personal Alert Victoria webpage. You can also call MePACs on 1800 685 329.
Victorian Aids and Equipment Program (VA&EP)
VA&EP helps people access subsidised aids and equipment. They also help with home and vehicle modifications. This means people can live in their home feeling safe and with independence.
For more information visit the VA&EP webpage.
Other Victorian Government initiatives
Companion Card
The Companion Card is for people with significant and permanent disability. To be eligible you must have a need for lifelong high level of support to access venues and events. The card allows a person’s carer free entry into participating venues and events.
For more information visit the Victorian Companion Card website or call 1800 650 611.
Concessions
The Victorian Government offers concessions to essential services. Low-income households may be eligible to get help out with bills in times of hardship. The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) runs this program.
For more information visit the DFFH Concessions webpage or call 1800 658 521.
Service Victoria Savings Finder
The Service Victoria Savings Finder helps people find ways to save money. You can find over 90 discounts, rebates and benefits that you may be eligible for.
For more information visit the Service Victoria Savings Finder webpage.