Mental health
The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (2023) found that child maltreatment increases the likelihood of mental health disorders.
Dakota is a young advocate who is passionate about breaking cycles and taking care of her mental health. While she acknowledges that finding support can be hard to navigate, she highlights that it’s often less costly for those under the age of 25 with government-funded and subsidised youth mental health programs.
"It’s beneficial to deal with it [mental health] while you’re young because you have so much time to do new pathways in your brain and create those habits."
Self advocacy
Elysay shares the importance of advocating for yourself and following up to get what you need as a young person in care. She shares an example of how she got her driver’s licence on her 17th birthday by seeking quotes and emailing them to her workers.
"I gave all their work to them on a silver platter so all they needed to do was get it approved and I chased and I chased and I chased."
Financial support
Peter speaks about the financial supports he learned he could access as a young person transitioning from out-of-home care to independence. He also mentions how Next Step Plus was there to guide him in his next steps. His advice for other young people is to start preparing early and setting your goals well before leaving care.
Finding a place to live
Dakota opens up about her experiences with housing instability and homelessness. She wants other young people to know they have a right to a better quality of life where they are in safe housing and feel supported.
"Use your voice and speak up. You know, advocating for yourself is probably the biggest and the best thing that you can do, not only as an adolescent but into your adult life."
Young people's experiences of using TILA
Wait till you need it — that was the resounding advice from EPCS members who gathered to share their experiences using TILA, a one-off payment of $1,500 (at 2025) to help with the transition to independent living. Watch to hear these young people’s experiences of using TILA.
About the EPCS Oversight Group: Over the course of their term, the EPCS Oversight Group contributed to a major research project at the University of Queensland, assisted with improvements to the Department’s website and communications with young people, and met with sector professionals to share their insights. They finished their terms on a high note with the filming of these video resources to help young people with their transitions to independence.
BTS from filming. Not all members pictured.
Useful links
EPCS: Extended Post Care Support was $16,000 per year from ages 18-21 at 2025. Read more about EPCS.
Next Step Plus: Next Step Plus provides extra support determined by you and your needs. Read more about Next Step Plus.
TILA: Transition to Independent Living Allowance was $1,500 at 2025. Learn more about TILA.
Sortli: Sortli is a free app designed by young people, for young people to help them with their transitions to independence. Download Sortli on the App Store or Google Play.
GYOW Kit: A practical planning toolkit for young people aged 15+ to get ready for independence. Download the digital kit for free.
T2A Month: Transition to Adulthood Month is a Queensland initiative that shines a spotlight on the experiences of young people transitioning from out-of-home care and encourages communities, organisations and services to come together to support better outcomes. Learn more about T2A Month on our website.
