Resources for carers
Many families are experiencing increased financial pressure at the moment. The following resources may help if you are finding things hard, need practical support, or want to explore what assistance may be available to you and your household.
This page brings together a range of services that may assist with:
· food and groceries
· emergency relief
· concessions and cost-of-living support
· family violence support
If you need urgent help, please contact the relevant crisis service straight away.
If You Need Help Right Now
If you or someone in your care is in immediate danger, call 000.
If you need immediate support relating to family violence or sexual violence, 1800RESPECT is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counselling, information and support. Call 1800 737 732 or Text 0458 73 77 32
If you are feeling overwhelmed or in crisis and need someone to talk to, Lifeline is available 24/7- Call 13 11 14 or Text 0477 13 11 14
Food security and emergency relief If money is tight, food relief services may be able to help with: • food parcels • grocery vouchers • low-cost meals • essential items such as toiletries or nappies
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Uniting provides emergency relief support including food and grocery vouchers, clothing, transport assistance, help with bills or rent, and support linked to housing or homelessness. Their services operate across Victoria, including regional communities.
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FoodBank Victoria can help connect people to food relief options and local support pathways. Service access may vary depending on location and referral arrangements.
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Here’s where you can find free pads or tampons available to the public in Melbourne: - State Library Victoria - Sidney Myer Music Bowl - Immigration Museum - Melbourne Museum - Albert Park Library - Brighton Library - Coburg Library - Northern Health – Craigieburn Health Service - Northern Hospital – Epping - Diamond Valley Library in Greensborough - Northern Health – Broadmeadows Health Service in Jacana - Lalor Library - Newport Library - North Melbourne Library - Royal Women’s Hospital in Parkville - Reservoir Library - Southbank Library – Boyd Community Hub - Sydenham Library in Taylor’s Lakes - Thomastown Library
Local community relief Community information and support centres are located across Victoria and can be used to help guide you to local supports and relief
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Access their website and you can find a range of supports available and can search for support in your local area.
Financial & legal help
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National Debt Hotline - 1800 007 007This service helps people tackle their debt problems. Professional financial counsellors offer free, independent, and confidential services. The service operates Mon to Fri from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
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No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) provide individuals and families on low incomes with access to loans available for essential goods and services such as fridges, washing machines, car repairs and medical procedures for up to $1,500. Repayments are set at an affordable amount over 12 to 18 months.
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For safe and affordable financial supports visit – Good Money. Including: including: Step-up Loans – Low interest loans of between $800 – $3,000 with no fees and affordable repayment periods. Affordable Insurance – Simple car and contents insurance with flexible payment options.
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A range of concessions are available to all Victorians who are on low incomes or experiencing hardship and need help meeting the cost of living.
Support for education expenses
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On our Youth Scholarships Program - Financial Support webpage, we have a range of scholarships that your young person may be able to access, as well as links to a range of other educational supports.
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St Vincent De Paul Society also has a range of links on their webpage to help understand what help is available with education costs as well as useful contacts and resources.
Public transport
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From 1 January 2026, children and young people under 18 can travel free on Victorian public transport using a youth myki card. This applies across trains, trams, buses and coach services in Victoria.
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Victorian pensioners may also receive a Victorian Pensioner Free Travel Voucher each year, which can be exchanged for either a metropolitan day pass or a return V/Line trip within Victoria.
Regional and medical travel
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For rural and regional Victorians who need to travel long distances for specialist medical or specialist dental treatment, the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) may help with travel and accommodation costs. Public transport fares across both metro and regional networks are currently free and will then be half price from June 1 until the end of the year.
Family Violence Services If you are experiencing family violence, or you are worried about your safety or the safety of children, support is available. Family violence can include: physical violence, threats or intimidation, emotional abuse, coercive control, financial abuse, technology-facilitated abuse . Important safety note- If it is not safe to search for family violence help on your device, try to use a safer phone or computer where possible.
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Available 24/7 for confidential information, counselling and support relating to family violence and sexual violence.
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Victoria’s family violence response service for women and children experiencing family violence. They can assist with crisis response, safety planning and access to refuge.
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If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, connect with 13YARN and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
Support for carers and families Caring can place significant emotional, practical and financial pressure on households. You do not need to wait until things reach crisis point to seek support.
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Provides practical information, counselling, coaching and other supports for carers across Australia.
Recreation and activity
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Zoos Victoria (including Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Kyabram Fauna Park) offers free entry for children under 16 on weekends, school holidays and public holidays.
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Museums Victoria sites (including Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks and the Immigration Museum) offer: • free general entry to permanent exhibitions • low-cost or free access for children in many cases
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The State Library and local libraries provide: • free events and activities • school holiday programs • safe, welcoming spaces for young people
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Victoria also offers a Victorian Carer Card that can get discounts and benefits at thousands of participating businesses across Victoria. To be eligible for a Victorian Carer Card you must live in Victoria and be an unpaid primary carer of: • a person with disability • someone with a severe or chronic medical condition • someone with mental illness • an aged person with care needs • a person with a terminal illness. or Someone caring for a child who cannot live with their parents: • a state-registered foster carer • free general entry to permanent exhibitions • a respite or permanent carer.
Foster & Kinship Carers If you are looking after a child that is not your own, you may be eligible for additional supports, concessions and services. If you are caring for a child or young person who has entered care or experienced crisis, there are organisations that provide practical, material support to help meet immediate needs and restore a sense of dignity and belonging. These supports can include: • clothing and personal items • backpacks or suitcases with essentials • toys, books and comfort items • school supplies • emergency aid for placement transitions
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Provides crisis cases and essential items for children entering out-of-home care, including clothing, toiletries, comfort items and school supplies. This organisation also has limited capacity to support with material aid or small amounts of funding that can strengthen the placement.
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Delivers backpacks filled with essential items for babies, children and young people experiencing: • foster and kinship care placement • family violence • homelessness or crisis
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Provides children entering foster care with a new suitcase filled with essentials, including: • clothing and toiletries • books, toys and comfort items