Carer Payment and Carer Allowance: the difference
Services Australia runs two main payments for carers, and many people get both:
- Carer Payment: an income support payment if you give constant care to someone who needs care for at least 6 months, or who is at the end of their life. It is income and assets tested, and the rate depends on your circumstances
- Carer Allowance: a fortnightly supplementary payment if you give daily care to someone who needs it for at least 12 months, or who has a terminal condition. It is a fixed amount, with an income limit and no assets test
Who can get Carer Payment
Both you and the person you care for need to meet the rules. You both need to be Australian residents, and the person you care for must also have income and assets under certain limits. You may be able to get Carer Payment if you provide constant care, which Services Australia describes as care for a large amount of time each day, roughly equal to a normal working day, that stops you working full time.
Care can include physical help, such as lifting or dressing, guidance, such as support with shopping and taking the right medication, and supervision to support independence and safety. You can care for one or more people, in their home.
Working, studying and taking breaks
You may still get Carer Payment if you do paid work or are self employed for up to 100 hours in a 4 week period, as long as you still provide constant care. You can also keep the payment while you take some time away from caring, within the rules Services Australia sets.
Who can get Carer Allowance
You need to give daily care and attention to the person in their home or yours, and meet the residence rules. There is no assets test, but your and your partner's combined adjusted taxable income must be under $250,000 a financial year. There is no income test for the person you care for.
If you care for a child under 16, you also get a Health Care Card for the child, which helps with the cost of their medicines and health care.
How these payments work with the NDIS
The NDIS funds supports for the participant. It does not replace carer payments, and having an NDIS plan does not stop you claiming them, as long as you both meet Services Australia's rules.
NDIS reports and plans can be useful background, but Services Australia makes its own assessment of the care needed. For someone aged 16 or over, it uses the Adult Disability Assessment Tool: a questionnaire you complete as the carer, and a medical report from the person's treating health professional.
How to claim
- Check the rules on the Services Australia website, and use the payment and service finder for an estimate
- Claim online through your myGov account linked to Centrelink. You can make one combined claim for both payments
- You will be asked about the person you care for and the care they need, and may need medical forms completed
- Carer Payment is usually paid from the date you lodge your claim, so do not wait for every document before you start
- Report changes, such as more work hours or a change in care, so your payment stays right
Support beyond money
Carer Gateway offers free counselling, coaching, peer support and respite for carers on 1800 422 737. And if the person you care for has an NDIS plan, supports such as short term accommodation or community participation can give you a regular break.