Carer Payment Australia — Rates, Eligibility and How to Claim

Carer Payment is an income support payment for people who provide full-time care to someone with a severe disability, medical condition, or who is frail aged. It is designed for carers who are unable to participate substantially in the workforce because of their caring role.

Carer Payment vs Carer Allowance

These are two separate payments — you may be eligible for one or both:

You can receive both Carer Payment and Carer Allowance simultaneously if you meet both sets of criteria.

Carer Payment Eligibility

To qualify for Carer Payment, you must:

1. Be providing constant care to a person with a severe disability or health condition (or be an approved carer for a child under 16 with a severe condition)
2. The care receiver must meet the Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT) score or be assessed as requiring constant care
3. Meet the income and assets tests (same as Age Pension)
4. Be 18 or over (or 16–17 in certain circumstances)
5. Be an Australian resident
6. Not be working more than 25 hours per week (including study and voluntary work)

Rates (FY2025–26)

Carer Payment is paid at the same rate as the Age Pension:

Carer Payment also includes the Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement (same as Age Pension).

The Care Receiver Assessment

The person you care for must be assessed by Services Australia as needing constant care. The assessment process depends on the care receiver’s situation:

For adults: The Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT) — your treating doctor and a Centrelink Social Worker assess the person’s functional capacity and the care they need.

For children under 16: The Disability Care Load Assessment (Child) Determination (DCLAD) — assesses the level of care required and the impact on the carer’s participation in work and education.

Carer Allowance

Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment of approximately $153/fortnight for carers who provide daily care and attention to someone with a disability, medical condition, or who is frail aged.

Key points about Carer Allowance:

• There is no income test on the carer (but there is an income test on the care receiver)
• You can work full-time and still receive Carer Allowance
• The care receiver must be living at your home or in the same vicinity
• You can receive Carer Allowance while receiving another income support payment (e.g., JobSeeker, Age Pension)
• Children: Carer Allowance is available for parents of children under 16 with a disability or medical condition — requires the same DCLAD assessment

How to Claim

1. Log in to myGov → Centrelink → Apply for payment → Carer Payment or Carer Allowance
2. Provide details about the person you care for
3. Your treating doctor/specialist will need to complete the medical report as part of the assessment
4. Services Australia will assess whether the care receiver meets the assessment tool requirements

You can also call Services Australia on 132 717 or visit a Centrelink service centre.

FAQ

Can I work while receiving Carer Payment? Yes — up to 25 hours per week (including study and voluntary work). If you work more than 25 hours, you may no longer meet the “constant care” requirement and Carer Payment may stop. Carer Allowance, however, has no work restriction.

Can I receive Carer Payment for an elderly parent? Yes — Carer Payment can be claimed for caring for a parent, spouse, or any person you care for full-time who meets the adult assessment criteria.

Does Carer Payment affect my care receiver’s payments? Your Carer Payment does not reduce the care receiver’s own Centrelink payments. However, some payments the care receiver receives may be factored into various assessments.

What happens to Carer Payment if the care receiver is hospitalised? Carer Payment can continue for up to 63 days per year while the care receiver is in hospital or respite care.

See also: Family Tax Benefit | Disability Support Pension | Centrelink Payments Guide

For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a social worker or financial adviser via MoneySmart.