local parent/carer groups & activities 

  • Ballarat Parent Carers Connect This group is open to all parent/guardian carers of children and young adults with disabilities.  We meet for activities, information sessions and social coffees or meals. The next get-together is coffee 30am on Wednesday 19th August. at Cornerstone Café 206 South St.   RSVP to rpaton@pinarc.org.au .
  • Ararat Parent Carer Connect Ararat region Parent/Guardian Carers of children and young adults (0-21yrs) are invited to share their expression of interest in attending a group. Contact rpaton@pinarc.org.au  to register your interest. Meeting times TBA and dependent on response.
  • Ballarat Autism Early Years Connect is a parent-led group supported by the Pinarc Parent Support Program. This group is for parents/carers supporting young children (0 – 12 yrs) with autism.
    August meeting: 10am – 12pm Monday 3rd August at Inexterior Café.  Guest speakers Alison from Salvos Family Connections and Emily the Social Connector and Family link from Relationships Australia Victoria. RSVP to ballaratautismey@gmail.com  or rpaton@pinarc.org.au  
  • Ballarat Autism Parent Connection meets for coffee at the Robin Hood Hotel for social connection and information sharing. The next meeting is 30am Monday 17th August.
    Guest Speaker:  Ballarat Police Disability Liaison Officer.
  • Bacchus Marsh Disability Parent Connection meet for social dinners and information sessions monthly on Monday evenings during school terms. The next session is Monday 24th August for a dinner.
    Contact rpaton@pinarc.org.au for more information.
  • Ballarat Down Syndrome Parent Connection group meets regularly for social connection and information sharing. the next morning tea will be on Monday 24th August from 10:15am at The Ballarat Specialist School Farm Cafe, Norman Street, Ballarat. RSVP to Wendy, Jane or Rebecca by 21st
  • Daylesford Disability Parent Connection Group. This group is currently taking a break. Expressions of interest for carer events in Daylesford as invited.
  • SCODA – (Supporting Carers of Disabled Adults), is a Ballarat-based group who meet for lunch first Monday of each month. Contact Rose on 0459 216 992

Carer Activities

Smythes Creek / Ballarat Carers Activity – Carers Victoria

Discover, connect, and recharge at Mini Munchers Petting Zoo!
Wednesday 2 September, 11 AM – 1 PM
Location: Mini Munchers Petting Zoo 20 Westgate Rd, Smythes Creek VIC 3351
Mini Munchers Petting Zoo will offer Carers a valuable opportunity to support their own wellbeing interacting with friendly miniature farm animals all in the comfort of an indoor barn.
Mini Munchers owner Shelly will share her knowledge and experience on the importance animals can have on our own wellbeing. A relaxed casual event followed by a light lunch.
Who can attend: This event is designed for carers who live in Smythes Creek and surrounding areas.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/smythes-creek-ballarat-carers-activity-tickets-1993983562512     Registrations Close: 24/8/26

Carer Gateway Pathways for Carers

Offering Carers of people with a disability, medical condition, mental illness or those who are frail due to age a chance to attend a relaxed social walking event followed by a free morning tea together.
Walks are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month.
Meet at 9:45am for a 10:00am Start Pipers by the Lake, 403 Wendouree Parade Lake Wendouree VIC 3355 CONTACT US Phone: (03) 5333 7104 Email: Carers@gh.org.au
To attend, you will need to be registered with Carer Gateway & RSVP via phone or email.
If you need assistance to attend, or have any special requirements, please let staff know when you RSVP.

 

activities for children and young people with disabilities

All abilities Christmas In July by Gellibrand Supports

Free event!
Adults with disabilities to join this social group on Friday July 31st, 2026 at 131 Albert Street, Sebastopol.
The evening will commence at 6pm where you are able to meet new people and make new connections.
The  evening will conclude at 8.30pm.
Light Supper Provided

Please contact Gellibrand to register your FREE seat

If you would like to attend please contact the office on 03 4333 0044 or via email services@gellibrand.org.au.

 

Date-Ability Popup program in Bendigo, Ballarat, and Geelong.

Date-Ability™ is Australia’s evidence-informed relationship program for adults with disability.  You can find out more about the program here: https://date-ability.com.au/the-framework/

4 week Popup program coming to

  • Ballarat – Fridays 2nd October
  • Geelong – Fridays 6th November

The next step is to complete a short registration form so we can secure your place in the program.

Please click the link below to get started: Referral form – FS Academy
Once we receive your form, our team will be in touch to confirm your place and send you more information about the program. If you have any questions, please feel free to email: admin@fsacademy.com.au

 

SING, PLAY, MOVE WITH COCO SOUNDS

Come and join Lauren from CoCo Sounds as we sing, play and move during a fun musical session. Families then have the opportunity to connect with other families while their children play and enjoy a fruit platter.
Every Wednesday during the school term, Time: 10:00am
Cost: Free
Location: Salvation Army Church Hall. 104 Greenhalghs Road, Delacombe.

Ballarat Biodiversity Week 1-7 August

Sustainable Environment Ballarat and City of Ballarat are teaming up to run a wide range of free and low cost activities for people of all ages.  See the program here: https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/sustainability

2026 Winter Accessible Sport Calendar – Sport Central

https://sportscentral.org.au/2026-winter-accessible-sport-calendar/
Programs listed:
Special Olympics Ballarat – Swimming Program
Walking Basketball
Sports Central – All Abilities Soccer for Adults
Ballarat Badminton – All Abilities Badminton
Wheelchair Basketball
Special Olympics Ballarat – Swimming Program
Ballarat Bulldogs – All Abilities Football Training
RDA Ballarat – Equestrian Riding
Basketball Ballarat & Sports Central – All Abilities Basketball Competition
Ballarat Badminton – All Abilities Floor Curling
Ballarat Bulldogs – All Abilities Auskick Program
Sports Central & Webbcona Bowls Club – All Abilities Indoor Bowls
Special Olympics Ballarat – Basketball Program
Ballarat Bulldogs – All Abilities Football Matches

People Outdoors Upcoming Camps

Calendar of camps July to November 2026  https://www.peopleoutdoors.org.au/download_file/view/755/429

Information sessions, courses and webinars

PDA at School: Autism Webinar by Belongside Families

Mon, 3 Aug, 8pm – 9pm AEST
https://events.humanitix.com/pdawebinar0308

School can be hard for Autistic children with a PDA profile (sometimes called Pathological Demand Avoidance or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy).  In this webinar we’ll explore:

  • What PDA can look like at school
  • The link between PDA and school can’t
  • Why punishment can increase anxiety and make school feel less safe
  • What supports and adjustments can help at school

ACD A Good Life Sessions  – Supporting Your Young Person’s Future

If you’re raising a young person with disability, you’re likely thinking about how to support their journey into adulthood and plan for life after school.  Topics Include:

  • NDIS Support Post School – 4 August
    Current and relevant information to help you plan your child’s post-school needs.
  • Wills and Estate Planning – 12 August
    Learn about the process of setting up a Will and Powers of Attorney, so you can plan your child’s future security. Presented by Margaret Duncan, Duncan.Legal
  • Panel Discussion: Post-School Options – 19 August
    Panelists will share real experiences about: Volunteering post-school, TAFE programs and Inclusive employment support.
  • Supporting Friendships – 26 August
    Strategies to help your young person develop strong, respectful, and lasting friendships.

Register here: https://collections.humanitix.com/a-good-life-support-for-young-people-after-school

Carers support & preventing burnout – Daylesford

Presented by Mecwacare and Hepburn Shire Council
Friday, 07 August 2026,  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre Inc., 13 Camp Street, Daylesford, 3460
Strategies that assist with emotional exhaustion, resilience building and the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Looking to stay healthy, independent, and connected as you age?
These workshops are more than just information sessions — they’re a chance to learn, share, and connect with others in your community. We know that living in rural areas can sometimes make it harder to access services and support, which is why these sessions are so important. They empower you with knowledge, build confidence, and help you take control of your health and wellbeing.
Register here: https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Places-activities/Events/Events-activities/Carers-support-preventing-burnout-1993297073204

ENVISAGE is running online programs in term three.

ENVISAGE Families is a free, evidence‑based peer support program for parents and caregivers raising children aged 0–8 years with developmental concerns, disability or neurodivergence. Importantly, no diagnosis or NDIS plan is required, and the program is fully funded by the Australian Government, meaning there is no cost to families or referring services.  More information is available at https://envisage.community/.

ACD Webinar – Working Out Dads

Working Out Dads is a free, six-week online program that offer dads a supportive space to connect, share experiences, and develop practical strategies.   Dads can expect:

  • Weekly 90-minute sessions, designed just for dads
  • Led by two male facilitators, one of whom is a father of a child with disability
  • A 60-minute group discussion where dads can share, listen, and learn
  • A 30-minute online group session with a certified personal trainer on building movement and activity into daily life

Register here: https://collections.humanitix.com/working-out-dads-113202

Free Workshops in Ballarat for Parents and Carers

Workshops for parents and carers of people living with a disability, of course and broader in partnership with Carers Victoria. This is open to anyone in the City of Ballarat and Central Highlands.

Building Family Strength for Anxiety – Carers Victoria Horsham

Supporting a young person with anxiety can feel overwhelming at times — you don’t have to navigate it alone. We invite you to attend a free, supportive program designed for parents and carers. In this session, we will explore what anxiety can look like for young people and share simple, practical strategies you can use at home to help your child feel calmer, more confident, and better supported.
Session Details:
Program: Building Family Strength for Anxiety
Presented by: Dr Nyree Hutchins, Clinical Psychologist
Location: Wimmera Wellbeing Centre, 28 Urquhart Street, Horsham
Time: 4:30pm – 6:00pm (all sessions)
Session Dates (by age group)

  • Prep – Year 3: Wednesday 5th August
  • Year 4 – Year 7: Friday 7th August
  • Year 8 and above: Wednesday 12th August

All sessions are free of charge, however, bookings are essential.
To register, please use the link below:
Register here:  https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/event/building-family-strength-for-anxiety/2026-08-05/

Supporting Yourself During School Can’t: Webinar by Belongside Families

Mon, 10 Aug, 8pm – 9pm AEST
https://events.humanitix.com/infosession1008

When your child feels anxious or distressed about going to school, it can be a lot to carry.
In this webinar we’ll explore:

  • The emotional and physical impacts School Can’t can have on parents and carers
  • Why traditional self-care strategies often don’t work
  • Realistic ways to support yourself during high-demand parenting
  • How to recognise the signs of burnout before crisis point
  • Knowing when and where to seek support

Can’t Face School Online Support Group

Wednesdays – Dates to be Confirmed.
Online via Zoom at 7pm.
Join us in Term 3 for a series of supportive sessions for families navigating school refusal or school avoidance. Featuring an Occupational Therapist from the Centre of Perinatal Health and Parenting, The Can’t Face School Team, and other guest speakers.
Each session explores a different theme, offering practical tips and strategies for families, including building new routines, setting achievable goals, and understanding the underlying challenges that contribute to school avoidance.  These discussions aim to empower families with knowledge, confidence and tools to better support their young people.
For bookings or more information contact Alison on
0437 028 256 or alison.ford@salvationarmy.org.au

Transition to High School Group – Pinarc

High school transition can be a stressful time for both child and family. This program will help provide additional support and information to both children and parents to create an environment for a successful High School transition. This program will utilise group and solo activities in various key areas plus additional home activities for both the child and parent each week. Each week the group will focus on developing different skills.
To participate, children need to be:
• Aged 11-13 years.
• Transitioning to High school in 2027
• Able to identify which school they will be attending.
• Able to communicate in their own way with peers.
Dates: Thursday 13th August – 26th November 2026 (2-week break September school holidays)
Times: 4-5 pm
Venue: Pinarc Disability Support, 1828 Sturt Street, Alfredton
Cost: The maximum cost of the program is $1,563.56. This may vary depending on confirmed group numbers. You will be committed for the duration of the group. A report with strategies can be provided at the end.

Be Understood Expo 2026 – Melton

On World Mental Health Day – a powerful day of connection, inclusion, education and empowerment
Saturday, 10 October 2026 11:00am – 3:00pm Melton Specialist School Coburns Road, Melton
What you can expect:

  • Meet trusted disability mental health service providers and organisations
  • Discover valuable supports, programs and resources to support your mental health
  • Learn from professionals and community experts who directly support children and individuals living with autism and intellectual disabilities
  • Connect with families who share similar experiences
  • Explore products, services and innovative supports
  • Be inspired by a community that celebrates inclusion and understanding

Entry to the Public by gold coin donation.  

Ballarat Community Disability Expo

This is our third Ballarat Community Disability Expo and we have made sure to get a mix of new and different providers to ensure variety for attendees! North Ballarat Sports Club
Wednesday 14th October 2026
10:00am – 1:00pm
FREE coffee/tea for the first 200 people thanks to VMCH!
Meet with over 30 different local disability providers
Ask questions face-to-face
Explore your options
Connect with services in your community
Local providers. Quality information. All in one place!

 

new services for families

The Youngcare At Home Care Grants

These will open Wednesday 1st of July.

You can watch a video or read more about them here: At Home Care Grants
They will be open for 6 weeks, closing on the 13th of August. The Grants are for people aged 16 to 65 with a complex physical disability. They are for up to $10,000 for equipment, modifications or services that are essential to keeping the person in their current home, or significantly improving their quality of life. All other funding sources must have been exhausted – this includes the NDIS and local State funding (eg. SWEP, MASS, Enable etc).
If you have an application in mind, please do not hesitate to contact us via email connect@youngcare.com.au or call 1800 844 727 if you would like to discuss.

NDIS updates for families

ACD fact sheets on NDIS changes

Updated 18/05/2026
Latest information to support your child and family. The page includes:  

 

 

research and feedback opportunities

Improving Social Connections – Register Your Interest

Improving Social Connections is a new national program being delivered by Aspect in partnership with Reframing Autism.   The program aims to help Autistic people, families and carers build meaningful connections, find a sense of belonging and access peer support in their communities.
Between June 2026 and early 2027, there will be opportunities for individuals, community groups and organisations to contribute to consultation, co-design and governance activities that will help shape the Framework, Information Hub, resources and future Community Partner model.  Complete the form below to register your interest and hear about future opportunities to participate that may be of interest to you.
https://aspectics.snapforms.com.au/form/improving-social-connections—register-your-interest

City of Ballarat Consultations

Your chance to have a say in City of Ballarat projects.
Stay up to date and have your say on these and other projects at https://mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/ 

new resources for families of children with disabilities

Free access to highly respected resources for parents.

Grampians Health are the first service in Australia to provide a pathway of learning to enhance emotional health to anyone in the Grampians region through Togetherness. This will allow parents, children, staff, access to free online learnings. Here is the link which includes the access code: https://togetherness.co.uk/mul/grampians-health/

Practical help for navigating school – New guide

Belongside Families’ free Navigating School guide brings clear information, practical guidance and tips from other families together in one place. The digital toolkit contains 11 practical tools, including email templates, conversation scripts and AI prompts to help you prepare for meetings and communicate with school.
You can also join free online workshops on school advocacy and working in partnership with school, plus webinars on supporting children with PDA at school and looking after yourself during School Can’t.

The Take Charge Project

A new collection of free resources https://cyda.org.au/takecharge/ These resources were co-designed with children and young people with intellectual disability, psychosocial disability and autism. They include practical information, real-life stories and tools that can be used by children, young people, families and service providers.
The resources cover a range of topics relating to life transitions, including:

  • School transitions
  • Becoming independent
  • Self-advocacy and disability pride
  • Parenting support

Some examples:

 

supports for families of children with disabilities

Carer Gateway

Caring for a friend or relative can be complicated. Carer Gateway can provide a range of supports to unpaid carers (including siblings as young carers). Call to register: 1800 422 737   8am to 6pm weekdays https://www.carergateway.gov.au/

Victorian Government Carer Card

https://www.carercard.vic.gov.au/
The card provides discounts and benefits to carers in acknowledgement of this contribution. It’s easy and free to apply for the Carer Card. Applications can be made online. Alternatively, forms can be downloaded from this site, or you can request that one be posted to you by telephoning the Carer Card team on 1800 901 958 (toll free).  Applications may take four to six weeks to process.

Villa Maria Support for Carers

Villa Maria run several events for carers but you must be registered with them to be eligible.
To register call intake on 1300 698 624 or email:  hello@vmch.com.au
For more information about these and other VMCH events,
visit: https://vmch.com.au/support-for-carers/events/

EACH Statewide Carer Support Services

 https://www.each.com.au/service/family-relationship-support-for-carers/
EACH can fund counselling for carers and other family members (not just the primary carer, including siblings and grandparents)  They can also fund ongoing counselling sessions if Carer Gateway funding runs out.

Association for Children with a Disability
Resources:

https://www.acd.org.au/information-and-resources/
Free telephone information and support:
Call 03 9880 7000 or 1800 654 013 (regional)
Or email acdsupport@acd.org.au
Or text 0475 577 997

Carer Allowance vs Carer Payment: which one is for you?

https://www.acd.org.au/carer-allowance-vs-carer-payment-which-one-is-for-you/

Disability Liaison Officer program

General information about the program:

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/disability-liaison-officer-program
Grampians Health DLO Program: https://www.bhs.org.au/services-and-clinics/disability-liaison-office/

Monash Centre For Developmental Disability Health

supports mainstream health services to build their capacity to address the health needs of adults with intellectual and associated developmental disabilities. https://cddh.monashhealth.org/

Orange Door

The Orange Door is available in Ballarat to support families experiencing family violence and families who need support with the care and wellbeing of children and young people.
The Orange Door is a free and you do not need a referral to access the services available.
The Orange Door is accessible in person between the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday through to Friday.
21 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat Central
Phone: 1800 219 819

National Assistance Card

The card is currently available to people with a brain injury and those with autism.
The card can be used in everyday or emergency situations where a cardholder needs assistance or support.
The National Assistance Card can:

  • help cardholders communicate their unique areas of difficulty and the assistance they may need
  • give cardholders greater independence
  • assist cardholders to feel more confident in everyday social situations
  • provide peace of mind for families and carers
  • enhance community understanding of disability and health conditions
  • support positive community interaction with cardholders.

More info: Visit www.nationalassistancecard.com.au or call 1300 680 045

Carer Card Discounts

Victorian Carer Card holders can access a range of discounts on gift cards including:

  • 5% discount on Everyday WISH gift cards, valid at Big W, Woolworths and EG Ampol fuel outlets.
  • 5% discount on Metcash Shop Local gift cards, valid at IGA, Mitre 10, Home Hardware, Total Tools and Thrifty Link.
  • Up to 5% off e-gift cards for stores including JB Hi-Fi, Myer, Priceline and more.
  • New riders get 50% off (up to $15 per ride) on their first 5 rides with Uber and existing riders get 5% off (up to $5) all Uber trips ongoing! Plus, new Uber Eats users get $20 off their first order that’s over $30. Fees, terms and conditions apply.  Learn more about the Uber and Uber Eats discounts

It’s worth noting that the information on these discounts was correct as of November 2025, and things may change.   Learn more about the discounts and benefits available for Victorian Carer Card holders.

 

young carers supports

Little Dreamers – Sibling supports

Young Carer organisation, working with young people who provide unpaid care for a family member with a disability, illness or addiction across a range of direct support programs, these programs can be found here: www.littledreamers.org.au/programs/ A link for the application for support can be found at www.dreamershub.com.au

Carer Gateway Young Carer Supports

Carer Gateway can provide a range of supports to unpaid carers (including siblings as young carers). Call to register: 1800 422 737 8am to 6pm weekdays www.carergateway.gov.au

Young Carer Network

https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/

Young Carer Network

https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/

The Young Carers Network (YCN) is a nationally coordinated resource to raise young carer awareness, provide information, and direct young carers to appropriate pathways for support.
They also offer the Young Carer Bursary each year: https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/bursary/young-carer-bursary/

 Siblings Australia – Advocacy for school-aged siblings

So that we can better advocate for young siblings, Siblings Australia would like to hear from school-aged children about their experience of being a sibling of a person with disability, chronic illness, or mental health condition. If you’ve got kids in school, it would be great if you could encourage them to answer some questions for us. We are not collecting any identifiable data about children through this process.
We think it’s really important to be able to tell teachers and educators about how this experience might impact on schooling. So we’ve created a survey to find out more from families who are engaged in our services, you can access the survey HERE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6KG3L8S .
Completing the survey should only take a few minutes, and will really help us to understand what is needed when developing our supports.

 

Disability Support For Teen Siblings of People with Disability | Siblings Australia

https://siblingsaustralia.org.au/siblings/teen/

“If you are 13-17 and have a brother or sister with a disability, you’ve come to the right place. You are not alone. Other siblings share many of the feelings and experiences that you do. Some siblings have very close relationships with their brother or sister with disability or illness. They share fun times and are able to be just like any other siblings.”

 

Life Changes – successfully navigate transitional life events | Siblings Australia

https://siblingsaustralia.org.au/services/life-changes/

Building the skills, knowledge and confidence of people living with disability and their siblings to successfully navigate transitional life events.

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