Caring for a sibling

Carer Gateway provides a range of free services and support for carers.

By calling 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm and selecting option 1, you can speak with your local Carer Gateway service provider. They will talk you through the registration process and start the planning process. This process helps our staff learn more about you and your caring role so they can match services to your individual needs. Then explore our 10 tips about what you can do to make life easier if you are a carer looking after your sibling.

1. If you are at school, talk with your school, university or training centre about ways they can help you

As a carer, you may be able to find ways to catch up on missed work, or to get later deadlines for assignments.

As a carer you may be able to apply for the Young Carer Bursary Program. The Young Carer Bursary Program supports young carers to continue with their education. The program offers 1000 bursaries of $3000 each year to assist with education needs and resources. Young carers across Australia can apply annually from July until mid September.

2. If you are working, talk with your employer

You can talk with your employer about your caring role and what changes might help you, such as earlier or later start times, or working from home.

3. Explore the payments you may be able to get

You may be able to get a Carer Allowance, Carer Supplement, or other payments for families, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, or young carers.

4. Get a Companion Card

As the carer of someone with disability, you can get a Companion Card to help them to go to events or travel on public transport. The person with disability will pay for their own ticket, but you may be able to get a free second ticket as a carer. States and territories are responsible for issuing Companion Cards. Links to each state and territory website are available through the following link National Companion Card | Department of Social Services, Australian Government.

5. Find out about other carer concessions

Many organisations offer carers cheaper tickets for things such as events and travel (for example, Hoyts offers a carer discount. Visit the Carers Australia state and territory websites to search for more information about local arrangements.

6. Connect with other carers

You can talk with other carers who may be looking after a brother or sister in our online community forum, or call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm to register and find a local support group.

7. Find ways to deal with stress

Sometimes living your own life and caring for someone at the same time can be stressful. It’s important to find ways to manage your stress and stay mentally healthy.

8. Make an emergency care plan

An emergency care plan has all the information about the person you care for in one place. It makes it easy for someone to take over from you in a hurry, or if you need to talk with someone such as a health care professional.

9. Find out what respite care you could get

It’s OK to take a break and have time for yourself. Respite care means someone else looks after the person you care for while you have a break. You can plan respite or get respite care in an emergency.

10. Get help at home

If you are combining studying or working with caring, you might need extra help at home. There are many services that can help you, from providing meals to cleaning and making home repairs.