Carer Activities

Free weekend travel for unpaid carers

Victorian Carer Card holders enjoy free, statewide weekend public transport (trains, trams, buses, and V/Line) and 50% off weekday fares. Carers can also get two or four free off-peak travel vouchers annually, and free travel during National Carers Week.
Key Benefits for Victorian Carers in 2026

• Free Weekend Travel: Statewide, covering all zones and regional town buses.
• Half-Price Weekdays: 50% discount on public transport fares.

During the half price fares for everyone, Carer Card holders pay half of the lower price. 

Ballarat Carers Christmas in July Mingle

Pipers by the Lake, 403 Wendouree Parade, Wendouree VIC 3350
Tuesday, 28 July 2026,  12pm-2pm
**Update:  this is booked-out but there is a waitlist you can join.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ballarat-carers-christmas-in-july-mingle-tickets-1990271086396
Come along and celebrate the magic of the festive season with our Christmas in July inspired lunch. We’ll also be joined by the President of Laughter Clubs Victoria. Gather with other Carers for an introduction on the impact laughter sessions have on our overall health & well-being. We will sit down for a delicious two course lunch with all the extra trimmings you would expect for a celebration.
Feel free to dress up in your favourite Christmas outfit or colours. There will be prizes, give aways and a room full of excitement, sharing and laughter!
This event is designed for carers who live in Ballarat and surrounding areas.

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.
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.

Information sessions, courses and webinars

Surviving to Thriving Carer health, wellbeing and support

Free events for carers of children, teens and adults with disability.
Register here: https://lifely.org.au/lifely_events/
Ballarat               Tuesday 30^th June, 5:00–7:00pm, The Good Shed
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

Q&A Session: Carer Coaching
Presented by Grampians Heath Carer Support Service and Carer Gateway

A coach explores with you how you can work towards change in your situation by setting goals and making steps towards achieving them.
Date: Thursday, 2nd July 2026
Time: 1:30pm – 2:45pm
Location: Online (MS Teams)
RSVP: Please RSVP if you’d like to attend  phone: 03 5333 7104 or email: carers@gh.org.au
Please Note: Our Q&A sessions are interactive and take place in real time, so they are not recorded. They function as live discussions in a meeting-style format, where you can ask questions and receive immediate answers.  Cost: Free.

Services and Supports for Carers – Carers Vic Online Workshop

Wed 8 Jul 2026, 10.30am – 12.00pm
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.carersvictoria.org.au/event/services-and-supports-for-carers-online-workshop-6/

Maryborough Carers Lunch & Education Session

14 Jul 2026 11.00am – 2.00pm
Maryborough Community House Inc. 23 Primrose St, Maryborough VIC 3465
Join us for a casual and relaxed lunch followed by an educational session -” Introduction to Services and Supports for Carers”, delivered by Carers Victoria.
Join us for a relaxed and welcoming lunch, where you can connect with fellow carers, share experiences and build supportive relationships. An engaging information session “Introduction to Services and Supports for Carers” will provide you with a platform to ask questions, find meaningful support and receive the knowledge to help embark you on your Carers journey.
Who can attend: This event is designed for carers who live in Maryborough and surrounding areas.
https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/event/maryborough-carers-lunch-education-session/

ACD Webinar: Getting Support at School

Build your knowledge and confidence to better advocate for your child’s needs at school. We’ll provide detailed information about how school processes work and how school plans can help your child. This workshop is for parents and carers of children with disability who want to learn more about getting support at school for their child.
It’s a two-hour online workshop led by facilitators who are parents of children with disability.  You’ll learn about

• Individual Education Plans
• Behaviour Support Plans
• Reasonable adjustments
• Understanding school processes and plans

Session times:
Mon 20 July, 10am-12pm
Tue, 21 July, 10am-12pm
Tue, 21 July, 7pm – 9pm
Wed, 22^nd July, 7pm – 9pm
Register here: https://collections.humanitix.com/getting-support-at-school-eeab35

The Art of Being Assertive –  Carers Vic Online Workshop

Wed 22 Jul 2026, 10.30am – 12.00pm
Do you find yourself agreeing to things you’re not enthusiastic about or helping others when you’re already stretched?  Do you struggle with saying “no” or expressing your true feelings?
If so, you’re not alone. This workshop is designed to help you develop assertive communication skills, enabling you to express your needs and desires with clarity and confidence.
Topics include:

• What is assertiveness?
• What are the benefits of being assertive
• Learning assertiveness skills

This session is open to all carers and caring families.
Register here: https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/event/the-art-of-being-assertive-online-workshop-2/

Cafs (Child & Family Services) Parenting Groups

To enquire about any of Cafs Connecting Families Programs (formerly Early Help), please contact: family.support@cafs.org.au  or 1800 692 237
TERM 3 2026 GROUPS
Circle of Security – 8-week program: Designed for parents and carers of children aged 0-12 years who want to strengthen their relationship with their children.  Wednesdays 10.30am-13.30pm (face to face).
Tuning in to Toddlers – 6-week program: Suitable for parents and carers with a child/children from 18 months to 4 years of age.  Mondays 10.30-12.30pm (face to face).
Tuning in to Kids – 6-week program: For parents and carers of children 1 to 11 years of age. Parents learn different ways to talk with and understand their child.  Thursdays 1-2.30pm (online).
Tuning in to Teens – 6-week program: For parents and carers of children 12 to 18 years of age. Parents learn different ways to talk with and understand their child, as well as how to help their young person manage emotions and deal with conflict.  Mondays 1-3pm (online).
Dads Tool Kit – 8-week program: For dads/male carers to learn about how to meet their children’s and family’s needs. Wednesdays 10.30am-12.30pm (face to face).
Dads Tool Kit Intensive- 2-day program (8th and 15th September): For dads to learn about how to meet their children’s and family’s needs (face to face).
Dad’s Baby Bag – For new or expecting Dads/Caregivers to build understanding of baby’s developmental needs.  Tuesdays 1am-12pm (face to face).
Dad’s Tuning in to Kids. For male parents and caregivers of children 1 to 11 years of age. Learn different ways to communicate with and understand their child. Thursdays, 10am-12pm (online).

Catholiccare Term 3 Parenting Programs Ballarat

FREE Online courses.
Tuning in to Kids –  For parents with kids aged 3-12
6 Sessions, Mondays Helping parents and carers build their skills to help their children develop emotional intelligence and manage their emotions, using ‘emotion coaching’. Mondays  20 Jul  – 24 Aug   10:00am – 12:00pm Online Via Zoom
Tuning in to Teens For parents with teens 10-17
6 Sessions, Tuesdays Helping parents and carers build their skills to help their children develop emotional intelligence and manage their emotions, using ‘emotion coaching’..
Tuesdays 28 Jul – 1 Sept 10:00am – 12:00pm Online Via Zoom
More information and registrations here: https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/workshops/
Catholiccare also offer single-session parent support sessions on weekdays, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm and after hours by appointment. Support sessions are offered via phone, online , or face-to-face.
To book a parent support session call our Ballarat office on 1800 123 228 or email parenting.ballarat@catholiccarevic.org.au

Salvos Family Connections Term 3 Programs for Parents and Carers:

Mums Arise via Zoom Thursday fortnightly at 8pm to 9pm
Come and connect fortnightly with other Mum’s who have children at primary school, high school, university, or who are adults. Mums Arise is a safe group for women to have a chat and connect with others through discussion, interesting topics, and guest speakers.
MASTerful Mums  Held Tuesday 12:30pm to 2:30pm at Parker Place (Redan).
A fully facilitated and coordinated support group for mothers who have an adolescent who have bought about particularly challenging times in their life. The program is filled with capacity building topics, speakers, activities, and life skills requested by the group, designed to empower women as they connect with others
Tuning into Kids  Online via Microsoft Teams.  Thursday at 1pm for 6 weeks
Tuning into Teens Online via Microsoft Teams.  Monday at 1pm for 6 weeks
Bringing Up Great Kids (BUGK)  Thursdays at 9:30–11:30am  July 23, 30, August 6, 13, 20, 27.
Where: Parker Place, Salvation Army 702 Pleasant Street South, Redan 3350
This parenting program offers a supportive space to reflect on your parenting and the experiences you want for your child as they grow. It helps parents and carers understand their own parenting style, strengthen their approach, learn more about child development and behaviour, overcome challenges, and build strategies for self-care while connecting with support when needed.
All programs are free to attend.  For bookings or more information contact Alison on 0437 028 256 or alison.ford@salvationarmy.org.au

Can’t Face School Online Support Group

Wednesdays – Dates to be Confirmed.
Online via Zoom at 7pm.
Join us in Term 3 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 other guest speakers.
Each session explores a different theme, offering practical tips and strategies for families, including building new routines, setting achievable goals, and understanding the underlying challenges that contribute to school avoidance.  These discussions aim to empower families with knowledge, confidence and tools to better support their young people.
For bookings or more information contact Alison on
0437 028 256 or alison.ford@salvationarmy.org.au

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.

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:  

• NDIS legislation: what happens next
• NDIS changes – announced April 2026
• Thriving Kids – what’s been announced
• New support needs assessment
• Music and art therapy to continue
• Travel pricing
• NDIS funding periods
• NDIS support lists
• Eligibility reassessment