Financial Supports for Carers

Are you a carer who helps a friend or family member? As a carer in an informal capacity, you may be eligible to receive Australian Government financial support. Carer Payment and Carer Allowance are calculated based on your level of income and the responsibilities you have as a carer.

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.

Who is this targeted to?

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
• Two to four children younger than 16 whose needs add up to the same as one child with severe needs
• One or two children younger than 16 and one adult whose needs total the same as one child with severe needs.

Eligibility for the Carer Payment

For a carer to qualify for the Carer Payment, they must:

• Meet an income and assets test
• Not be employed for more than 100 hours in a 4-week period.

How much can carers get?

Services Australia has the most up to date rates for the Carer Payment: How much Carer Payment you can get.

More information about the Carer Payment

Services Australia has the most up to date information about the Carer Payment.

Carer Allowance

Carer Supplement

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.

Eligibility for the Carer Allowance

Everyone on the Carer Payment will automatically receive the Carer Allowance. However, the Carer Allowance is also available to carers who:

• Provides daily care
• Has a household income of under $250,000 per year.

There are no employment, education or volunteering restrictions on the Carer Allowance.

You may get a Carer Allowance for each person you care for providing they meet the disability requirements, and you meet the daily care requirements.

How much can carers get?

Services Australia has the most up to date rates for the Carer Allowance: How much Carer Allowance you can get.

More information about the Carer Allowance

Services Australia 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.

Services Australia has the most up to date information about the Carer Supplement.

Child Disability Assistance Payment

An annual payment of up to $1000 for those who get the Carer Allowance when looking after a child under 16 with a disability or medical condition. Paid automatically.

Services Australia has the most up to date information about the Child Disability Assistance Payment. 

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
• The running of medical equipment and medically required temperature control.

Information about other payments for carers

Services Australia has more information other payments available to carers. Getting a payment if you’re a carer.

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