Taking on a caring role can provide many positive benefits for young people but, for some young carers, the responsibilities undertaken go beyond what adults would normally expect of teenagers. This report examines the early home environment of Australian children who became young carers, to what extent caring activities limit young people’s cognitive and psycho-social outcomes, and what explains the gaps between the developmental outcomes of young carers compared to their peers.

The evidence in this report suggests that those who are young carers at age 14–15 have different educational trajectories, compared to those with no caring responsibilities. It finds that caring does impair academic achievement and, by extension, the life chances of these young people. Suggestions are provided to close the gap in academic achievement. 

Policies aimed at improving school readiness and early school outcomes of those children with household members with a restrictive health condition or disability will improve the future prosperity of young carers. The numbers of 14–15 year old carers that would likely be affected is estimated at approximately 11,482 young people caring for five or more hours at home; and 11,220 young people caring for five or more hours outside of the home. 

Evidence in this report suggests that the current arrangements are not sufficient to address young carers learning needs and that more public investment in early childhood and throughout schooling in young carers will reap dividends for the future of these young people and for wider society.