You're on hold to the NDIS. Again.
There's a support worker who cancelled last minute, a prescription to pick up, and a form nobody explained properly. Somewhere in between, you forgot to eat lunch. Nobody calls it a full-time job.
But it is one — and you're not getting paid for it.
We make the system fit the needs of carers, rather than carers needing to fit the needs of the system.
Are you already a Carer?
Maybe you're the one who pays the invoices for someone else's NDIS supports. Who drives to every appointment and remembers what the last three specialists said.
Who fields the calls — from school, from the pharmacy, from the support coordinator who's allocated your file this week but won't be next. Or maybe you're the "just check on Mum" phone call, every single day.
If any of that sounds familiar, you're a carer.
Even if no one's ever called you that.
Not sure where to start? Tell us a bit about your situation and we'll point you to what's actually relevant — not a generic list.
Why Carers Matter
Carers are an essential, largely invisible workforce holding up Australia's health, disability, mental health and aged-care systems.
3 million
Unpaid carers in Australia
750,000+
In Victoria
391,300
Under 25
$77.9 billion
Per year — what it would cost to replace the care they give for free.
Sources: ABS, Carers Victoria, Deloitte Access Economics
How Power to Care Started
Power to Care started in 2014 when two local women, both with family members with mental health challenges, got sick of doing it alone.
They built the support they wished someone had handed them: no waitlist, no jargon, just carers who get it.
Ten years on, that's still who we are — now providing unpaid carer support to families right across Victoria, from NDIS navigation to school refusal to caring for an ageing parent.
Support & Information
Find the right type of support for your needs, or find information to support us.
Become A Volunteer
Lived experience as a carer helps, but isn't required. Police check and Working with Children Check needed — full induction provided.
No fixed hours, no pressure.
Coffee for Carers
First Friday of the month, 10:30am, Macedon Ranges Health, Gisborne
(5 Neal Street). Free.
No bookings, no agenda pressure — just turn up. Coffee & cake is on us!
Donate
Most of what you see here runs on volunteer hours, not paid staff. A donation helps us keep showing up for carers who'd otherwise be doing this alone.
Tax-deductible — Power to Care is a registered charity.
Partnering with the wonderful community & neighbourhood houses across the Macedon Ranges
Do you have a community group that supports/could support unpaid carers? Provide us with the details and we'll add them to our website.
A warm and heartfelt thank you to our sponsors
We're grateful for support from Mind – Loddon Mallee Mental Health Wellbeing Connect.
Loddon Mallee Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect supports family members, carers, kin and supporters of people with mental health and/or substance use challenges. The service is delivered in partnership between Mind Australia and Mallee Family Care.
The Connect centre is a warm and welcoming space that provides people with the vital networks they need to keep caring for their loved one while still looking after their own wellbeing.
Families, carers, kin and supporters of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. Support is free and no referral is needed to access a Connect centre.
We're also grateful for support from Federal Minister, Rob Mitchell and the Department of Social Services.
Further, we're grateful for the support of the Victorian Government.
And the Gisborne & District Community Bank - a past sponsor.
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Recognise. Connect. Thrive
If you require immediate support, please reach out to one of the organisations below
