Leslie Massey
In Australia, carers who provide daily support to someone with a severe disability, illness, or frailty are eligible for the Carer Allowance. This allowance is a fortnightly payment of $159.30 to help with the additional costs of caring. To be eligible, carers must meet specific criteria, including caring for someone aged 16 or older and providing care in their private home or the private home of the person being cared for. The Carer Allowance is not means-tested, but there is an income test, and carers must inform Services Australia of any changes that could impact their payments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To provide financial support to carers of someone with a severe disability, illness, or who is frail and aged |
| Payment Amount | $159.30 every fortnight |
| Additional Payments | Carer Supplement ($600 annually), Child Disability Assistance Payment, Carer Adjustment Payment |
| Eligibility | Care receiver must be aged 16 or over, needs additional daily care for at least 12 months or has a terminal medical condition, carer must be an Australian resident |
| Waiting Period | 52 weeks for newly arrived residents, does not apply to the person being cared for |
| Income Requirements | Combined adjusted taxable income of under $250,000 per year for the carer and their partner |
| Breaks in Care | Permitted up to 63 days of respite per calendar year, including when the care receiver is in hospital |
| Exemption from Income Tax | The payment is not added to taxable income |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility criteria for carers
To be eligible for the Carer Allowance in Australia, you must meet the following criteria:
Care Requirements
You must be providing ongoing daily care for someone with a severe disability, illness, or frailty due to old age. This care can be provided in your own home or the home of the person you are caring for. The care recipient must be certified by a medical professional as requiring additional care and attention and be expected to need this level of care for at least 12 months or have a terminal medical condition.
Residency Requirements
Both you and the person you are caring for must be Australian residents living in Australia. To be considered a resident, you must be an Australian citizen, a permanent visa holder, or a protected Special Category visa holder.
Income Requirements
There is no assets test for the Carer Allowance, but there is an income test. To be eligible, your adjusted taxable income must be under the specified threshold, which is currently $250,000 per year for individuals and couples combined. You are required to notify Services Australia within 14 days of any changes that could increase, reduce, or stop your carer payments, such as changes in your relationship status or income.
Waiting Period
There is typically a 52-week waiting period for new residents before they can receive the Carer Allowance, but this waiting period does not apply to the person being cared for.
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Eligibility criteria for the person being cared for
To be eligible for the Carer Allowance in Australia, the person being cared for must:
- Have a medical condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least 12 months, or is likely to result in death
- Have a disability that is likely to continue indefinitely
- Have a
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Payment rates
The Carer Allowance in Australia is currently set at $134.00 per fortnight. This amount is intended to help with the costs of caring for someone who has a severe disability, a severe medical condition, an end-stage disease, or who is frail and aged. The payment is made to the carer, not the person being cared for, and it is not means-tested. This means that the carer's income and assets will not affect their eligibility for the allowance.
To be eligible for the Carer Allowance, the carer must be providing a certain
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Additional payments
Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment for carers in Australia. It is available for those who care for someone with a disability, chronic or terminal medical condition, mental illness, or who is frail and aged. This payment is made fortnightly and is currently set at $159.30. It is not taxed and is not means-tested.
There are additional payments available for carers in Australia, including:
Carer Payment
The Carer Payment is available for those who provide constant care to someone who needs it for at least six months, or who is at the end of their life. The amount received depends on personal circumstances, including any income earned from employment. This payment is taxable if the carer or the person they care for is age pension age. It is also available for those caring for multiple people.
Carer Supplement
The Carer Supplement is an annual payment to help cover the costs of caring for someone with a disability or medical condition.
Carer Adjustment Payment
The Carer Adjustment Payment is a one-off payment for carers of children under seven years of age with a severe medical condition or disability following a catastrophic event. To be eligible, carers must demonstrate a strong need for financial assistance.
Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme
This scheme provides payments for parents and carers of children who cannot attend a local state school due to geographical isolation, disability, or special needs.
Health Care Card
Carers may also be able to claim a Health Care Card, which helps with the cost of healthcare.
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Breaks and respite
Respite care is when someone else provides care for the person you usually care for, giving you a short break. This can be provided by family and friends or by a respite service. It can occur at home, at a centre, or in a residential care facility. Respite care can be for a few hours per week or a longer period of time.
If you receive Carer Payment or Carer Allowance, you can still get paid during respite care. You can have up to 63 days of respite each calendar year (from 1 January to 31 December) without your payment stopping. You can use these days for anything, including a holiday or a break from caring. During this time, the person receiving care can be in informal respite care at home or elsewhere, or be informally cared for by a friend, neighbour, or family member.
If you need a longer break, you can contact Services Australia to discuss your situation. You may be able to organise planned respite through Carer Gateway, as part of a tailored support package. Carer Gateway is a free service that can provide help and advice, support, and information on respite and financial help. You can also contact the Carers association in your state, which is a government agency designed to help carers with respite support.
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Frequently asked questions
The Carer Allowance is a fortnightly payment for carers of someone with a severe disability, illness, or who is frail and aged. It is a supplementary payment to assist with the additional costs of caring on top of usual daily living costs.
The Carer Allowance is AUD 159.30 each fortnight. This is paid in addition to any wages or other income support payments.
To be eligible for the Carer Allowance, you must be caring for someone aged 16 or over with a disability or medical condition who needs additional care and attention. You must be providing daily care for the person in either your private home or their private home. Both you and the person you care for must be Australian residents living in Australia.
You can claim the Carer Allowance through the Services Australia website. You will need to provide information on how you care for the person, and their treating doctor will need to complete a medical form.
Yes, there are additional payments and supplements available for carers in Australia. These include the Carer Supplement, Child Disability Assistance Payment, Carer Adjustment Payment, and the Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme.
