Victorian carers will be able to get the practical support they need with a re-elected Andrews Labor Government to increase respite care hours and support services for carers.

Only Labor will make sure carers get the help they’ve asked for with $49.5 million to fund an extra 100,000 hours of respite care each year and expanding the eligibility to include carers of people with a mental illness.

This will allow an extra 5,000 Victorians to access respite care, giving carers a break and the peace of mind that their loved one is receiving high quality care in short stay accommodation, on camps or day excursions.

Labor will also make sure carers get emotional support and information about services they can access with $4 million in grants for both grass roots and state-wide carer support groups. These grants will focus on support for carers in regional areas, as well as under-recognised groups such as young carers and LGBTI carers.

Young carers will also be able to get more help at school with a new system to be introduced in Victorian government schools to identify students who care for a parent, grand parent or sibling with a mental or physical disability, so they can get extra support to help them stay in school.

In addition, Labor will provide all Victorian carers with half price travel on public transport all year round, as well as free travel during Carers Week. The 50 per cent travel concession for carers will help to ease the cost of living and make it easier to get to appointments and stay connected with their community.