Carer Payments Explained

Carer Payment

Is a payment you can receive if you give constant care to someone who has a severe disability, illness or an adult who is frail aged.

Who can get it

Both the carer and the person they are providing care for need to be eligible.

How much can I get

There are different rates of Carer Payments for single and partnered people.

Carer Payment maximum rate for a single person is $967.50 per fortnight or $729.30 for a member of a couple.

Pension rates per fortnight	Single	Couple each	Couple combined	Couple separated due to ill health
Energy Supplement	$14.10	$10.60	$21.20	$14.10
Maximum basic rate	$936.80	$706.20	$1,412.40	$936.80
Maximum Pension Supplement	$75.60	$57.00	$114.00	$75.60
TOTAL	$1026.50	$773.80	$1,547.60	$1026.50

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.

How can I get the Carer Allowance

There is no assets test for Carer Allowance but there is an income test.

To get Carer Allowance your and your partner’s combined adjusted taxable income must be under $250,000 a year.

How much is the Carer Allowance

Carer Allowance is $144.80 each fortnight. There is no Health Care Card for the person you provide care for.

Carer Supplement

Paid annually if you care for a person with a disability or medical condition or who is frail aged. Carer supplement is up to $600 each year for each eligible payment.

You’ll get this amount on top of your regular payment.

Back Payments

Does Centrelink back pay the carer payment?

Carer Allowance claimants will no longer be able to have their payment backdated up to 12 weeks prior to contacting Centrelink about the payment.

For further information including how to apply, please visit:

servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-to-claim