Carers may be eligible for specific financial support payments from the Federal Government to assist with their living costs, providing they live in Australia and meet residence requirements.
Carer Payment
Carers who provide full-time care may be eligible for the fortnightly Carer Payment to help them meet their basic costs of living.
This payment is available to carers of:
- someone with a disability (including a serious mental health condition)
- someone with a severe illness
- someone who is frail aged
- 2 to 4 children younger than 16 whose needs add up to the same as 1 child with severe needs
- 1 or 2 children younger than 16 and 1 adult whose needs total the same as 1 child with severe needs.
For a carer to qualify for the Carer Payment, they must:
- Meet an income and assets test
- Care for a person, or people, who have been assessed as meeting a minimum disability score assessed through the Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT) or a Carer Needs Assessment (for a child under the age of 16) – a health professional currently treating the person must complete these forms.
- Not be employed, in education or volunteering for more than 25 hours a week
How much can carers get?
Go to the official Services Australia website to get the most updated rates for the Carer Payment
More information about the Carer Payment
The official Services Australia website has the most up to date information about the Carer Payment
Carer Allowance
The Carer Allowance is a fortnightly payment to carers of someone with a severe disability or illness or who is frail aged to assist with the additional costs of caring on top of their usual costs of daily living.
This fortnightly payment is for you if you give support and care to someone either:
- with disability
- with a medical condition
- who’s frail aged.
This payment is for you if the person you care for needs ongoing daily care for at least 12 months or has a terminal medical condition.
How much can carers get?
Go to the official Services Australia website to get the most updated rates for the Carer Allowance
More information about the Carer Allowance
The official Services Australia website has the most up to date information about the Carer Allowance
Carer Supplement
The Carer Supplement is an annual payment of $600 which is attached to each Carer Allowance. The Supplement is paid in July each year.
More information about the Carer Supplement
The official Services Australia website has the most up to date information about the Carer Supplement
Other payments
There are a range of other payments which carers can get under some circumstances.
They cover such things as special payments to carers of children with disability, payments to assist with the costs of raising children, incontinence aids and the running of medical equipment and medically required temperature control.
Information about other payments for carers
See the official Services Australia website for more information other payments available to carers