Informal Grandparent and Other Carers in Victoria
To report concerns about the immediate safety of a child within your family unit, call the Child Protection Crisis Line - 131 278 (toll free for all Victoria, 24 hrs, 7 days a week). This is an emergency service for weekends and after hours only and will pass on cases to the relevant regions the following working day.
The internet is a useful source of information for out-of-home carers. This page contains links to Commonwealth, state and territory, and non-government information, supports and services that may be useful to you.
Go to National Support and Services to find out what Commonwealth and non-government support you may be eligible for.
Find the answer to Frequently Asked Questions about Australian Government support.
Victorian Government information and services for informal carers
- Child Safety Commissioner – The child safety commissioner promotes children’s rights in Victoria and publishes information booklets for carers providing advice on parenting, financial support and legal issues:
- Victorian Government Carer Card – The Carer Card Program gives recognition, understanding and support to Victorian carers. The program has a wide range of discounts and benefits on offer from businesses, the local government and community organisations.
- Statutory Declaration for Informal Relative Caregivers (PDF) – This statutory declaration will help you prove your caring arrangements and improve access to services.
Legal information and assistance
Information to help you raise the children in your care
- Parentline Vic – Call 13 22 89 8am to midnight, 7 days a week for a telephone counselling service for parents and carers of children aged from birth to eighteen years.
- Raising a Grandchild – Find information for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren in Australia.
- Supporting children to achieve at school (PDF) – Information to help you give the children in your care the best education.
- The Mirabel Foundation – Assists children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental illicit drug use and are now in the care of extended family (kinship care).
- Post Placement Support Service – If you need help with a carer issue.
- Support for children – If your grandchild has experienced family violence or child abuse they may need professional counselling. This website has a list of services that might help.
Carer supports
- Grandparent Support Groups – Find out about grandparent support groups in your local area.
- When the Children Arrive (PDF) – A resource book to assist kinship carers address and identify some of the issues and concerns that may arise in this situation.
- Council of the Aging (COTA) VIC – This is the Victorian branch of an organisation that works to help older Australians.
- MyTime for Grandparents - MyTime for Grandparents is a national network of peer support groups for grandparent carers who are the full-time carers of their grandchildren aged up to 18 years. Find out more about the groups and if there is one near you.
Promoting the rights of children and young people in Victoria
Information for Aboriginal carers and carers of Aboriginal children and young people
As a kinship carer of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Child the following Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations can provide you with information and advice, support groups, access to a range of services and information on health, healing, well-being, training and cultural resources.