Leaving Care Support Services for Young People
If you are aged 16 to 21 and you have left out-of-home care in Victoria there are services across the state to help and support you.
You can call the Leaving Care Helpline on 1300 532 846 to speak to someone for advice and to refer you to support services in your local area.
You can also use the 'Contact us about leaving care services' online form, here:
Or you might just need a friendly person to talk to. It could be a quick chat or a longer discussion to deal with any issues or barriers you may be facing, for example:
- you may want to stay in education or return to studying
- you may need help to look for a job, or apply for on the job (vocational) training
- you may need help or advice to keep your current job
- you may need help to find accommodation or stay in your existing accommodation
- you may want support to re-connect with your family
- If you have already left state care, you may need some financial help to maintain your independence
Can I use leaving care services?
You can use post-care support services in Victoria if you are currently 16 to 21 years of age and you were the subject of a Victorian Custody or Guardianship order on or after your 16th birthday.
You can access post-care support services whether you are living independently, or with family or are still living with your carer.
Financial help for young people who have left care
Some financial help is available to support young people who have left care to live independently. See Who can get financial help? to check if you are eligible to apply. This financial help is also known as brokerage.
You can use financial help for:
- Accommodation costs associated with setting up or maintaining your accommodation
- Education/training/employment - so that you can successfully complete training or education
- Access to health and community services that are not supported by Medicare
You cannot use financial help for:
- Items, equipment or treatment that you could have accessed before leaving state care (this will mostly affect those aged 16 18 years)
- Health care costs that are covered either fully or partly through Medicare
- Attending medical clinics that bulk bill
- Specialist services including physiotherapy, counselling and audio/hearing treatments that have not been approved in advance
- Any other items which do not directly support you to become or remain independent after leaving care
Who can get financial help?
Leaving care financial help is available to any young person up to 21 years who:
- was subject to a Custody or Guardianship order on or after their 16th birthday, and
- has already left care to live independently
Financial help will be provided based on your individual needs and is available regardless of who you are living with.
You can apply for leaving care financial help more than once, however your application will be assessed against:
- your stated needs
- whether you can contribute towards the costs known as a co-payment
- previous financial assistance you have been given
- other requests from young people who need urgent help
Contact Information
Leaving Care Helpline
1300 532 846
