local parent/carer groups & activities

  • Ballarat Parent Carers Connect This group is open to all parent/guardian carers of children and young adults with disabilities.  We meet for activities, information sessions and social coffees or meals.  The next catch-up is for coffee at The Boatshed Restaurant, 9.30am Wednesday 10th
  • Ararat Parent Carer Connect Ararat region Parent/Guardian Carers of children and young adults (0-21yrs) are invited to share their expression of interest in forming a group. Contact rpaton@pinarc.org.au  to register your interest. Meeting times TBA and dependent on response.
  • Ballarat Autism Early Years Connect is a parent-led group supported by the Pinarc Parent Support Program. This group is for parents/carers supporting young children (0 – 12 yrs) with autism. The next meeting is 30am Thursday 4th June at The Walker Room, Golf House Hotel, Ballarat North.
    RSVP to ballaratautismey@gmail.com  or rpaton@pinarc.org.au
  • Ballarat Autism Parent Connection meets for coffee at the Robin Hood Hotel for social connection and information sharing. The next meeting is 30am Monday 15th June. Guest Speakers: Paul and Gabby from Catholiccare family supports and respite.
  • Bacchus Marsh Disability Parent Connection meet for social dinners and information sessions monthly on Monday evenings during school terms. The next session is Monday 22nd June for a dinner. Venue TBA Contact rpaton@pinarc.org.au for more information.
  • Ballarat Down Syndrome Parent Connection group meets regularly for social connection and information sharing. The next get together will be in July. RSVP to Wendy or rpaton@pinarc.org.au for more information.
  • Daylesford Disability Parent Connection Group. This group is currently taking a break. Expressions of interest for carer events in Daylesford as invited.
  • SCODA – (Supporting Carers of Disabled Adults), is a Ballarat-based group who meet for lunch first Monday of each month. Contact Rose on 0459 216 992

Carer Activities

 

Carer Gateway Pathways for Carers

Offering Carers of people with a disability, medical condition, mental illness or those who are frail due to age a chance to attend a relaxed social walking event followed by a free morning tea together.
Walks are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month.  (Thursday 16h April)
Meet at 9:45am for a 10:00am Start Pipers by the Lake, 403 Wendouree Parade Lake Wendouree VIC 3355 CONTACT US Phone: (03) 5333 7104 Email: Carers@gh.org.au
To attend, you will need to be registered with Carer Gateway & RSVP via phone or email.
If you need assistance to attend, or have any special requirements, please let staff know when you RSVP.

 

activities for children and young people with disabilities

2026 Winter Accessible Sport Calendar – Sport Central

https://sportscentral.org.au/2026-winter-accessible-sport-calendar/  

Programs listed:
Special Olympics Ballarat – Swimming Program
Walking Basketball
Sports Central – All Abilities Soccer for Adults
Ballarat Badminton – All Abilities Badminton
Wheelchair Basketball
Special Olympics Ballarat – Swimming Program
Ballarat Bulldogs – All Abilities Football Training
RDA Ballarat – Equestrian Riding
Basketball Ballarat & Sports Central – All Abilities Basketball Competition
Ballarat Badminton – All Abilities Floor Curling
Ballarat Bulldogs – All Abilities Auskick Program
Sports Central & Webbcona Bowls Club – All Abilities Indoor Bowls
Special Olympics Ballarat – Basketball Program
Ballarat Bulldogs – All Abilities Football Matches

Young Carer Art Competition

From 2 March to 31 July 2026, Carer Gateway is running the Young Carer Art Competition, and there are some huge prizes up for grabs.
Create a drawing, painting, photograph or other artwork on paper or canvas inspired by the theme ‘Your Art, Your Voice’. The best entries will be showcased at a Young Carer Art Exhibition later in the year.
How to Enter:

  1. Register as a young carer with Carer Gateway for free: Call 1800 422 737 if you haven’t already.
  2. Submit your artwork: Take a photo of your artwork and email it to CGCarerEngagement@holstephealth.org.au, along with a short paragraph explaining your piece, before July 31st.

Who can enter: The competition is open to young carers aged 25 or under who care for a family member, friend or loved one, even if it’s only for a few hours a week. If this applies to someone you know – tell them to get involved!
How to win a prize: We’re taking submissions from all young carers, but if you want to be in the running to win a prize you will need to be registered with Carer Gateway (it’s free!).
The competition is open across three age groups:   12 and under,   13–18 years,  19–25 years.
Prizes for each age group:  1st prize: $500,  2nd prize: $250,  3rd prize: $100
Register here: https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/event/young-carer-art-competition/

People Outdoors Upcoming Camps
Calendar of camps April – September 2026

https://www.peopleoutdoors.org.au/download_file/view/744/429

 

Information sessions, courses and webinars

Can’t Face School Online Support Group

When: Thursday 4 June
Time: 7pm via Zoom
Join us in Term 2 for a series of supportive sessions for families navigating school refusal or school avoidance. Featuring an Occupational Therapist from the Centre of Perinatal Health and Parenting, the Can’t Face School Team, and a session on Gaming, Gambling and Technology.
Attend one session or join all sessions. Each session explores a different theme, offering practical tips and easy to use strategies, whether it’s understanding what’s really behind school avoidance, easing anxiety, building new routines, or setting achievable, child‑centered goals.
For bookings or more information contact Alison on 0437 028 256 or alison.ford@salvationarmy.org.au

Golden Plains Career Expo

Visit us on Thursday 4 June from 10am to 5pm at the YMCA, 132 Milton Street, Bannockburn.
This dynamic event offers the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and local employers, explore exciting education and career pathways, and discover ways to enhance your employment prospects.
Meet industry professionals from a wide range of sectors, including education and training, emergency services, the Australian Defence Force, local government, agriculture, and more.
Attendees can also hear from special guest speakers, who will share valuable industry insights, pathway information, and practical job‑seeker skill development advice.
https://www.goldenplains.vic.gov.au/events/golden-plains-careers-expo-2026

ACD Webinar: Successful Secondary Years

Learn about the processes in secondary school and what reasonable adjustments can look like. Find out how to work with your child’s school to support your child’s learning, social connections and well-being. This workshop is for parents and carers of children with disability who want to support their child to advocate for themselves. It’s a two-hour online workshop led by facilitators who are parents of children with disability.
You’ll learn about

  • Reasonable adjustments at secondary school
  • Social connections and wellbeing
  • Communication with school
  • Supporting your child to self-advocate

Session times:
Tue, 9 Jun, 7pm – 9pm
Wed, 10 Jun, 10am – 12pm
Mon, 15 Jun, 10am – 12pm
Tue, 16 Jun, 7pm – 9pm
Register here: https://collections.humanitix.com/successful-secondary-years-2a696f

Services and Supports for Carers – Online Workshop By Carers Victoria

Wed, 10 June  10:30 AM
Join us online to learn about the support services that are available to carers and their families.
Topics include:

  • Support services for carers such as the Carer Gateway
  • Information about organisations that provide support to carers across Victoria
  • The role of Carers Victoria.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/services-and-supports-for-carers-online-workshop-tickets-1980147825450

 Lifely Support for Carers Seminars:

Surviving to Thriving Carer health, wellbeing and support
Free events for carers of children, teens and adults with disability.
Maryborough    Tuesday 16th June, 5:00–7:00pm. The Mill House
Ballarat               Tuesday 30th June, 5:00–7:00pm, The Good Shed
Register here: https://lifely.org.au/lifely_events/
This session focuses on you as a carer, including:

  • Looking after your health, mental health and wellbeing
  • Finding time for yourself and building support into your week
  • Connecting with local services, supports and other carers

What’s included

  • Short, practical talks from local experts
  • Panel Q&A — ask your questions
  • Time to meet local services and supports
  • A chance to connect with other carers
  • Light refreshments

Emergency Care Plan (for the person you care for) – online

Presented by Carers Victoria
Wednesday 17 June   1 PM – 2:30 PM
This 90 minute workshop is designed to help you consider and document what needs to be done to prepare for an emergency, when you are not able to care for others, as you usually would. This workshop will Include the following:

  • Why it is important to have an emergency care plan
  • What kind of emergencies to plan for
  • Who might be able to help in an emergency
  • What key information needs to be documented in an emergency care plan
  • Practice working through an emergency care plan template.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/emergency-care-plan-for-the-person-you-care-for-online-tickets-1980149481403

School Can’t Australia
– Sharing Lived Experience Knowledge with parents and carers

Saturday 20 June 2026
3:30 pm  5:30 pm
This webinar will help you learn from the experiences of past members and fast track your understanding of our lived experience knowledge.
Register and more information here: https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/events

DSV Events for dads and male carers of children with Down syndrome.

Legendary dads footy day

https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/blog/event/dads-footy-day/
June 21, 2026   3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Marvel Stadium, 740 Bourke Street, Docklands
All legendary dads, grandfathers and male carers of people with Down syndrome are invited to join Down Syndrome Victoria Chief Executive Officer Daniel Payne for a relaxed and enjoyable afternoon at the footy.
We will be watching the Saints take on Bulldogs in a reserved seating section at Marvel Stadium. The match starts at 3:15pm. You can bring your family member with Down syndrome to join the fun!

Transition to High School Group – Pinarc

High school transition can be a stressful time for both child and family. This program will help provide additional support and information to both children and parents to create an environment for a successful High School transition. This program will utilise group and solo activities in various key areas plus additional home activities for both the child and parent each week. Each week the group will focus on developing different skills.
To participate, children need to be:
• Aged 11-13 years.
• Transitioning to High school in 2027
• Able to identify which school they will be attending.
• Able to communicate in their own way with peers.
Dates: Thursday 13th August – 26th November 2026 (2-week break September school holidays)
Times: 4-5 pm
Venue: Pinarc Disability Support, 1828 Sturt Street, Alfredton
Cost: The maximum cost of the program is $1,563.56. This may vary depending on confirmed group numbers. You will be committed for the duration of the group. A report with strategies can be provided at the end.

Yellow Ladybugs 2026 Conference June 2026

https://ylb2026.vfairs.com/en/agenda-page

 

new services for families

Medicare support for speech-sound difficulties

Recent changes mean Medicare now helps cover the cost of speech therapy for children and young people who stutter or have speech-sound difficulties (including articulation disorder, phonological disorder, childhood apraxia of speech, dysarthria), and for those with cleft lip and/or palate.

Children and young people under 25 may be able to get Medicare rebates for

  • Speech assessments (up to 8 sessions)
  • Ongoing speech therapy (up to 20 sessions)

Helpful tips for families

  • A referral is required from a GP, specialist or consultant physician
  • Medicare provides a rebate, so some families may still have a gap fee depending on the provider
  • Not all speech pathologists offer Medicare rebated sessions, so ask first
  • Early support can make a real difference, but it’s never too late to seek help
  • NDIS and Medicare cannot be used for the same session

NDIS updates for families

ACD fact sheets on NDIS changes

Updated 18/05/2026
Latest information to support your child and family. The page includes:  

 

 

research and feedback opportunities

ACD – Have Your Say – Inclusive Communities

The Victorian Government is currently undertaking a consultation to make sure the voices of families are heard.
In this session, families will have the opportunity to share their experiences and ideas about what helps communities feel welcoming, safe and inclusive for children with disability and their families.
Tue, 2 Jun, 7:30pm – 9pm
Thu, 4 Jun, 10am – 11:30am
Register here: https://collections.humanitix.com/have-your-say-inclusive-communities

State Disability Plan and the Victorian Autism Plan 2027 – 2031 | Engage Victoria

Consultation on the next State Disability Plan and the next Victorian Autism Plan will happen at the same time. This way, the new autism plan will line up with the new State Disability Plan.

The Victorian Government wants to hear from people with disability, Autistic people, families, carers and friends.  The next plans will set out priorities and actions to make Victoria a more inclusive, accessible, and fair place for all.

The government wants to hear about:

  • what is working well and what could be improved
  • priorities for the future
  • ideas for the next plans.

The Victorian Government will also work with the disability community to respond to national disability reforms. This includes changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and the delivery of foundational supports such as Thriving Kids.

How to participate

  • You can take part in an in-person or online forum
  • Complete an online survey
  • Share feedback and ideas on Engage Victoria
  • Send us an email with a voice or video recording to disabilityplan@dffh.vic.gov.au.
  • Mail a picture, document or recording with your ideas to Office for Disability, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000.

For more information visit : https://engage.vic.gov.au/disabilityplan

 

City of Ballarat Consultations

Your chance to have a say in City of Ballarat projects.
Stay up to date and have your say on these and other projects at https://mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/ 

new resources for families of children with disabilities

Looking after your health as a mum of children with disability

https://acd.org.au/looking-after-your-health-as-a-mum-of-children-with-disability/

ACD Factsheet: Reduced hours at school and modified timetables

https://acd.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Reduced_Hours_at_School_and_Modified_Timetables_May26.pdf

 City of Ballarat new webpage –
Information and supports for carers of people with disability and or older adults

This new webpage include information about local, state and national services including:

  • Support for carers
  • Victorian Carer Card
  • Companion Card
  • Carer Services
  • Victorian Carer Peak Bodies

Visit the webpage here:  https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/community/disability-access-and-inclusion/information-and-supports-carers-people-disability-and-or

 

Your rights – Office of the Public Advocate

This page provides information about powers of attorney, dealing with police, medical decisions, NDIS decisions, Guardianship and Administration and advocacy.

https://www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au/your-rights

 

supports for families of children with disabilities

Carer Gateway

Caring for a friend or relative can be complicated. Carer Gateway can provide a range of supports to unpaid carers (including siblings as young carers). Call to register: 1800 422 737   8am to 6pm weekdays https://www.carergateway.gov.au/

Victorian Government Carer Card

https://www.carercard.vic.gov.au/
The card provides discounts and benefits to carers in acknowledgement of this contribution. It’s easy and free to apply for the Carer Card. Applications can be made online. Alternatively, forms can be downloaded from this site, or you can request that one be posted to you by telephoning the Carer Card team on 1800 901 958 (toll free).  Applications may take four to six weeks to process.

Villa Maria Support for Carers

Villa Maria run several events for carers but you must be registered with them to be eligible.
To register call intake on 1300 698 624 or email:  hello@vmch.com.au
For more information about these and other VMCH events,
visit: https://vmch.com.au/support-for-carers/events/

EACH Statewide Carer Support Services

 https://www.each.com.au/service/family-relationship-support-for-carers/
EACH can fund counselling for carers and other family members (not just the primary carer, including siblings and grandparents)  They can also fund ongoing counselling sessions if Carer Gateway funding runs out.

Association for Children with a Disability
Resources:

https://www.acd.org.au/information-and-resources/
Free telephone information and support:
Call 03 9880 7000 or 1800 654 013 (regional)
Or email acdsupport@acd.org.au
Or text 0475 577 997

Carer Allowance vs Carer Payment: which one is for you?

https://www.acd.org.au/carer-allowance-vs-carer-payment-which-one-is-for-you/

Disability Liaison Officer program

General information about the program:

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/disability-liaison-officer-program
Grampians Health DLO Program: https://www.bhs.org.au/services-and-clinics/disability-liaison-office/

Monash Centre For Developmental Disability Health

supports mainstream health services to build their capacity to address the health needs of adults with intellectual and associated developmental disabilities. https://cddh.monashhealth.org/

Orange Door

The Orange Door is available in Ballarat to support families experiencing family violence and families who need support with the care and wellbeing of children and young people.
The Orange Door is a free and you do not need a referral to access the services available.
The Orange Door is accessible in person between the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday through to Friday.
21 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat Central
Phone: 1800 219 819

Carer Card Discounts

Victorian Carer Card holders can access a range of discounts on gift cards including:

  • 5% discount on Everyday WISH gift cards, valid at Big W, Woolworths and EG Ampol fuel outlets.
  • 5% discount on Metcash Shop Local gift cards, valid at IGA, Mitre 10, Home Hardware, Total Tools and Thrifty Link.
  • Up to 5% off e-gift cards for stores including JB Hi-Fi, Myer, Priceline and more.
  • New riders get 50% off (up to $15 per ride) on their first 5 rides with Uber and existing riders get 5% off (up to $5) all Uber trips ongoing! Plus, new Uber Eats users get $20 off their first order that’s over $30. Fees, terms and conditions apply.  Learn more about the Uber and Uber Eats discounts

It’s worth noting that the information on these discounts was correct as of November 2025, and things may change.   Learn more about the discounts and benefits available for Victorian Carer Card holders.

 

young carers supports

Little Dreamers – Sibling supports

Young Carer organisation, working with young people who provide unpaid care for a family member with a disability, illness or addiction across a range of direct support programs, these programs can be found here: www.littledreamers.org.au/programs/ A link for the application for support can be found at www.dreamershub.com.au

Carer Gateway Young Carer Supports

Carer Gateway can provide a range of supports to unpaid carers (including siblings as young carers). Call to register: 1800 422 737 8am to 6pm weekdays www.carergateway.gov.au

Young Carer Network

https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/

Young Carer Network

https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/

The Young Carers Network (YCN) is a nationally coordinated resource to raise young carer awareness, provide information, and direct young carers to appropriate pathways for support.
They also offer the Young Carer Bursary each year: https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/bursary/young-carer-bursary/

 Siblings Australia – Advocacy for school-aged siblings

So that we can better advocate for young siblings, Siblings Australia would like to hear from school-aged children about their experience of being a sibling of a person with disability, chronic illness, or mental health condition. If you’ve got kids in school, it would be great if you could encourage them to answer some questions for us. We are not collecting any identifiable data about children through this process.
We think it’s really important to be able to tell teachers and educators about how this experience might impact on schooling. So we’ve created a survey to find out more from families who are engaged in our services, you can access the survey HERE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6KG3L8S .
Completing the survey should only take a few minutes, and will really help us to understand what is needed when developing our supports.

 

Disability Support For Teen Siblings of People with Disability | Siblings Australia

https://siblingsaustralia.org.au/siblings/teen/

“If you are 13-17 and have a brother or sister with a disability, you’ve come to the right place. You are not alone. Other siblings share many of the feelings and experiences that you do. Some siblings have very close relationships with their brother or sister with disability or illness. They share fun times and are able to be just like any other siblings.”

 

Life Changes – successfully navigate transitional life events | Siblings Australia

https://siblingsaustralia.org.au/services/life-changes/

Building the skills, knowledge and confidence of people living with disability and their siblings to successfully navigate transitional life events.

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