A new survey has revealed significant gaps in support for young carers across Western Australia.
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A young carer is defined as someone who provides unpaid care and support to family member/s or friends with a disability, physical or mental illness, substance dependence or to those who are aged.
The Commissioner for Children and Young People WA’s Speaking Out Survey 2025 consulted 17,000 children and young people, revealing that 7,140 provide care at home. Within that cohort, 3,375 care for a parent, while 5,096 look after a sibling.
Speaking to Youth Jam’s Isaac Mulcrone, Commissioner Jacqueline McGowan-Jones said the “problem is way underrecognised”.
“I think the problem is way under-recognised and, therefore, way under-resourced. I think we’ve still got a bit of that view that it’s just what kids do. That is totally unrealistic in today’s world.
“We really do need to say ‘ok, our kids shouldn’t have to do this and if they are doing it, they shouldn’t be doing it alone,” she told Newsflash listeners.
Ms McGowan-Jones added that it is a “really sad indictment” that we are not properly supporting children and young people acting as carers.
