MORE than 105,000 Victorians under the age of 25 provide unpaid care for family members or friends with disabilities, mental illnesses or chronic illnesses.
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Scott, 19, is completing his Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning and a Community Services Certificate II at Bendigo Technical Education College in between caring for his mother, who struggles with drug addiction, and his father, who has an acquired brain injury after a bashing five years ago.
He described his father, who is also affected by bipolar disorder, as "a big kid".
"He needs help with everyday tasks. If I wasn't there he mightn't shower for a few weeks or wouldn't go shopping or cook," he said.
Scott is determined to get his qualifications so he can help make a difference.
"I want to be a youth worker and then go on to be a youth psychologist so I can help other young people in a similar boat as me not to go down the same path and not have to struggle through life so much," he said.
Kalu Edmunds from Carers Victoria said Scott's story was repeated across the state.
She said providing care could take a heavy toll.
"[Carers] could be up all night helping someone in their family then they have to go in to work or school on no sleep," she said.
For information on services available to young carers, visit www.carersvictoria.org.au