Three years on, those who meet him are in awe, and Centrelink bosses are hailing the young teen a hero.

So why are they refusing his application for a carer's allowance?

There are not many fifteen-year-old boys like Matyas Paskandy. An average day for Matyas includes preparing the meals, hanging out the washing, vacuuming the floors, doing the ironing, changing nappie,s and putting his little sisters to bed. Not what most teenagers would consider fun.

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Three years ago, Judit Kovalcsik suffered a stroke while giving birth to her third child, Lilla. Her marriage ended soon after, and Matyas, then just twelve, became her carer.

"I enjoy caring for my mum and my sisters because they are my family. I've been doing this for quite a while now, ever since I was twelve, so it's just kind of like part of my life now,” Matyas said.

His mother Judit says "it came sort of natural for him you know, he never questioned. I came out of the hospital and he was straight away a help. He always was a little man with a big heart."

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However the teenager's application for Centrelink's $600 fortnightly carer's payment has been rejected.

"It's actually quite unfair because I'm doing all this, caring for my mum and my sisters, as well as all the housework, and I'm just not being recognised for that," Matyas said.

According to Centrelink boss Hank Jongen " there's no doubt that this young man is a hero. But this payment is intended for people who are providing full time care, and are unable to earn a living as a result. It's not a payment to keep young people out of school."

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Carers' Australia President Tim Moore says 2.6 million Aussies are carers for someone in their family, and 388,000 of them are under the age of 25.

"We would argue that carers are the backbone of our health, our mental health, our drug and alcohol and aged care systems. Many young carers get very little support, with very little assistance from those around them, and often do feel quite isolated and disconnected," Moore said.

Radio shock jock Howard Sattler believes Centrelink should reconsider. "It’s absolutely abominable, they lack compassion. They've got no flexibility at all, they're standing back and saying ‘our excuse is that he's not seventeen’. Well who else is going to look after the family?"

According to Jongen "there's a range of other support available to this family which has been outlined by our social worker, and which our social worker is authorised to recommend on their behalf."

The family say they've had no contact from a social worker and would rather see Matyas recognised for what he does.

"They keep making excuses, reasons why they're not accepting the payment, so this is just quite outrageous,” Matyas said.

According to Jongen "this family is receiving support from Centrelink. They are receiving disability support, family tax benefit and other payments - the family is not being left unsupported."

Sattler’s response is that "we'll have smooth talking Centrelink spin doctors on saying they've done the right thing. They have done stuff all."

According to Matyas "on the carers’ payment website it says that they're very flexible, but in reality I doubt that they are."

Judit is partially paralysed. She can't bend or lift, and can't sit or stand for long periods of time.

"With me he is providing personal care, he is showering me in the morning, and in the evening,” Judit said.

Matyas says between high school and looking after his family, he's got no time for a part time job.

"She tries to do whatever she can, but since her condition is permanent it'll only get worse over time, so unfortunately she won't be able to cope much without me."

Matyas must be one of the only fifteen-year-old boys in Australia who even knows what to do with an iron.

"We need to embrace young carers and to say ‘okay what can we do to support these families’, ‘how can we link them up with services and supports’ but also ‘how can we give them the recognition and the understanding that they so need’," Moore concluded.