Carers provide unpaid support and assistance for another person, which can include someone with a mental or chronic illness, the elderly or a person with a disability.

According to the latest 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, about 1700 people regularly received care in Swan Hill. Of that number about 1300 (75 per cent) were aged more than 65 years.

The carers are usually family members, with an estimated 2000 people in Swan Hill identified as carers.

While there were about 1.2 carers for every person in need, 80 carers were aged between 15 to 19 years, and 560 carers earned less than $250 per week.

Peak body Carers Victoria chief executive officer Caroline Mulcahy said this was "pretty consistent" with the rest of the state.

"There are 700,000 carers in Victoria, and they're the ones accounted for," Ms Mulcahy said.

"There are thousands more that are doing it as part of their culture.

Ms Mulcahy said too many carers were struggling financially.

"They are physically and emotionally exhausted, and many are socially isolated," Ms Mulcahy said.

"They are also desperate for changes to a severely inadequate service and support system.

"We know that many carers will see the Bill as largely a symbolic gesture."

Ms Mulcahy said the burden was set to increase with an ageing population.

And she said carers in rural areas were often placed in the most difficult circumstances.

"Most carers (in rural areas) would say there are less services available to them; there may not be a physio or speech pathologist without driving long distances."

Victoria is the last state in Australia to introduce legislation recognising carers.

Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge conceded the Bill was bringing the state up to Commonwealth standards, but also unique in recognising "care relationships".