Industry Enterprise PhD Scholarship - Seen, Heard and Supported: Co-designing an evidence-based Young Carers service model

This Industry Enterprise PhD Scholarship will support the successful candidate to undertake a PhD to investigate and co-design an evidence-based Young Carers service model in partnership with Young Carers SA. 

Project description: 

For every parent with a significant physical or mental health issue, there is a child or young person with caring responsibilities impacting their health, wellbeing and social connections. The number of young carers in Australia are likely to be underestimated as they are consistently not identified by services and often do not self-identify as a carer. Funding and support services are routinely bundled with adults or over an unworkable age range (5 – 25 years). This project has three components co-designed in partnership with Young Carers SA’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). 

1. Seen: Systematic policy and literature review to identify the number of young carers and the state of policy and funding impacting young carers nationally. 
2. Heard: Participants will tell their story of being a young carer using ‘playful research methods’ to identify key barriers to engaging with support, connection and advocacy.
3. Supported: Co-produce and evaluate a social connection and advocacy program for young carers.

The scholarship pays an indexed stipend of $40,000 p.a. tax free (2025 rate) for 3.5 years. Recipients who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, or hold Australian Permanent Residency status will be provided a RTP fee Offset which covers tuition fees charged by the university for up to four years.

• Are Australian citizens; or New Zealand citizens; or have been granted permanent resident status;
• Are an international student who has completed an honours or equivalent qualification at an Australian University no more than three years prior to the application closing date;
• Have completed at least four years of tertiary education studies at a high level of achievement and have an appropriate Honours 1 or high 2A (or equivalent) undergraduate degree;
• Are enrolling as full-time students;