Receiving a driver’s licence is often key to gaining a sense of independence, and a grants program is helping young people who’ve spent time in care to get on the road.

Caitlin, 22, is among those who have benefited from the Dame Roma Mitchell Grants – a program established to support those with a care experience to reach their goals.

Money for driving lessons is a popular request from applicants, along with other products and services supporting young people to meet their health, wellbeing or developmental needs, such as whitegoods to set up a home, or tools to start an apprenticeship.

Caitlin will receive a $500 grant towards driving lessons from the initiative’s last funding round, after previously receiving $900 for a laptop to further her education.

“It’s been a big help, especially with needing a laptop for my study,” she says.

The northern suburbs woman is studying childcare – a discipline especially close to her heart now she has a two-year-old son. She is also eyeing a potential future career in aged care.

“When I go out on the bus, I see the older people and I talk to them a lot. Seeing them struggling, I think, ‘I wish I could just help them’,” she says.

“There’s heaps of jobs available – the only issue is you need your licence for it.”

About $1.2 million has been distributed through the Dame Roma Mitchell Trust since the Department for Child Protection began providing operational support for the funds, seven years ago.

Last year, it approved more than 150 applications for grants, totalling more than $127,500 and providing important help for many who may have limited support within their family networks.

Caitlin lived in foster care from the age of about 10 months until she reached adulthood.

She’s already been learning to perfect her three-point turns, parallel parking and reversing, but the $500 grant Caitlin’s set to receive will help her complete her formal driving lessons with an instructor and gain her licence.

“I took a lot of time finding one that’s patient and he’s been really great,” Caitlin says.

Getting on the road will give Caitlin a much wider range of options when it comes to finding employment.

“(With a licence) it will be a lot better for me and I won’t have to rush to the bus. It will take a lot of the stress off me, to be able to go out and see people more, and family.”

The grants program features two rounds each year – and the first for 2026 is open until March 13.

More information about the grants is available on our 'Apply for a grant' page.