Grandparent Carer Burnout and Raising a Traumatised Child in WA

The Weight Nobody Warns You About

Most grandparents step in during a crisis — parental addiction, domestic violence, incarceration, mental health collapse, or death. The child arrives carrying the effects of that crisis. And the grandparent absorbs both the child's trauma and their own grief about their adult child.

This is expensive in every sense. As one carer put it on an Australian parenting forum: "These kids are expensive because trauma is expensive — extra medical care, therapy, school support, sensory tools, property damage, aggression — it all adds up."

Burnout in this context is not about being tired from normal parenting. It is the cumulative effect of managing challenging behaviours, navigating complex systems, spending retirement savings, and doing it without the breaks or social supports that younger parents take for granted.

Therapy and Mental Health Support for the Child

Who pays? Several pathways exist in WA:

Medicare and a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan — A GP can create a Mental Health Treatment Plan for the child, giving access to up to 10 subsidised psychology sessions per year under Medicare. The child needs to be listed on your Medicare card (transfer via Form MS011 through Services Australia).

NDIS — If the child has a disability (including psychological disability from trauma), they may be eligible for NDIS-funded therapy. For children under 9, the Early Childhood Approach provides access to early supports without a formal diagnosis. Contact an NDIS Early Childhood Partner.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) — The WA public system provides free assessment and treatment for children with serious mental health concerns. Referral is through a GP.

School psychologists — WA public schools have access to school psychologists who can provide assessment and short-term support at no cost.

Victims of Crime assistance — If the child's trauma resulted from a crime (assault, family violence), the WA Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme may contribute to therapy costs.

Support for the Carer

Your own wellbeing matters — not as an afterthought, but because the child's stability depends on yours.

Wanslea (Uplyft) crisis counselling — Call the Grandcare helpline at 1800 794 909. They provide immediate phone-based counselling and can refer you to ongoing support.

Carer Gateway — 1800 422 737. Offers free counselling (phone and online), peer support, and coaching specifically for carers. You do not need to be a registered foster carer.

Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636. General mental health support.

Your own GP — A Mental Health Treatment Plan is not just for children. You can get one for yourself, accessing subsidised psychology sessions.

Managing Challenging Behaviours

Children who have experienced neglect, violence or instability often display behaviours that are exhausting to manage: aggression, hypervigilance, sleep disturbance, regression, property damage. These are trauma responses, not defiance — but knowing that does not make them easier to live with at 2am when you are 68 years old.

Practical supports that help:

• Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) — free in WA through community health. Adapted versions exist for carers of children with trauma histories.
• Trauma-informed parenting courses — sometimes offered through Wanslea, Ngala or Relationships Australia WA.
• School-based support — WA public schools can consider targeted support and funding through the Student-Centred Funding Model for eligible students with disabilities.

Financial Strain Makes Everything Worse

Burnout and financial stress feed each other. If you are spending pension money on therapy, school costs and extra groceries, the financial pressure intensifies the emotional exhaustion.

Make sure you have claimed everything available:

• Grandcarers Support Scheme — $1,000 per grandchild annually plus the 2026–27 cost-of-living top-up ($500 first child, $250 subsequent) and Gold Card energy relief ($377)
• Family Tax Benefit Part A and B
• ACCS Grandparent — up to 100 hours per fortnight, with the subsidy covering up to 100% of fees capped at 120% of the hourly rate cap
• Carer Allowance — if the child meets the care criteria for a disability or medical condition, this is a $162.60-per-fortnight supplement from 1 January 2026. It has no assets test, but a combined annual income limit of $250,000 applies.
• Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) — emergency utility bill relief

Our WA Kinship Carer Support Guide walks through every payment, what evidence to prepare, and how to apply — so you can focus your energy on the child rather than deciphering agency websites.

See more Western Australia guides →