Carer organisations play a vital role in supporting those who dedicate their time to caring for others. They provide essential support and resources to help unpaid carers navigate their caregiving roles. These state-based organisations ensure carers and those they care for can thrive.
For a list of the Victorian Government’s Support for Carers Program providers, visit Support for Carers Program on the Vic gov website.
Carer peak bodies and organisations
Carers Victoria
Carers Victoria is the statewide peak body for unpaid carers across Victoria. Carers Victoria provides advice and system navigation support and linkage for carers, to help carers find and connect with the support services they need.
Carers Victoria works collaboratively with Carers Australia and the other state and territory-based carer associations to represent, advocate and provide support services for unpaid carers. It also provides advice to government about the needs and matters of importance for Victoria’s unpaid carers.Carers Victoria can connect you to local, state and national carer support services and resources. Visit: https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/how-can-we-help-you/connect
Website: https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/
Phone: 1800 514 845
BrainLink
Brainlink provides specialist support for people impacted by brain injury. They run a Carer Support Program for unpaid carers who care for family and friends living with a brain injury or degenerative neurological condition.
Website: https://www.brainlink.org.au/
Phone: 1800 677 579
Different Journeys
Different Journeys provides peer support and social connection for the autistic community which includes autistic individuals, their families, unpaid carers and other organisations. Different Journeys supports metropolitan based carers and regional based carers in the Bendigo and Gippsland areas.
Website: https://www.differentjourneysautism.com/
Phone: 0490 774 068
Little Dreamers
Little Dreamers is the peak body for young carers and supports young people aged 4 – 25 helping to 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.
Website: https://www.littledreamers.org.au/
Phone: 1800 717 515
Australian Multicultural Community Services
Australian Multicultural Community Services deliver a range of services including carer support services to individuals, families, community groups and seniors from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Website: https://amcservices.org.au/
Phone: 03 9689 9170
Tandem
Tandem is the Victorian peak body representing unpaid carers of people with mental health issues, as well as family members and supporters of people living with mental health challenges. They also contribute to Mental Health and wellbeing system reforms and provide advocacy and peer support.
Website: https://tandemcarers.org.au/
Phone: 03 8803 5555
Other key peak bodies
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation representing the interest and rights of people aged 50 and over in Victoria. COTA Victoria's focus is on advocacy, policy development, education and promoting opportunities for, and protecting the rights of, older Victorians.
Website: https://cotavic.org.au/
Phone: 03 9655 2100
Dementia Australia
Dementia Australia is the national peak body supporting people living with dementia, carers and families. They provide a range of information, education and support services.
Website: https://www.dementia.org.au/
Phone: 1800 100 500
Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria
Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) is the peak body for Victoria’s migrant and refugee communities. They advocate for the rights of multicultural communities in areas including aged care and ageing, human rights, and health and community services.
Website: https://eccv.org.au/
Phone: 03 9354 9555
Merri Health
Merri Health is a community health organisation that offers a range of supports, services and activities to support carers and their wellbeing. Merri Health delivers state and Commonwealth government carer supports and is the lead for Carer Gateway in Victoria.
Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative that delivers services to carers across Australia. In Victoria, these services are provided by a group of seven health and social support providers led by Merri Health.
Website: https://www.merrihealth.org.au/services/carer-support/
Phone: 03 9495 2555
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) is the peak body for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and carers in Victoria. It works with 33 partner Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations across Victoria to support Aboriginal people, carers and communities.
Website: https://www.vaccho.org.au/
Phone: 03 9411 9411