Support, guidance & advice for todays primary carers
Carer Payments In Australia – Centrelink Allowances For Carers
Article by
Rosie Bourton
WHO IS A CARER?
If you provide unpaid care and support to family members, friends or a loved one who has a disability, medical condition or is frail of age, then you’re a Carer and may be eligible for financial assistance including a Carer Payments or Allowances.
Carers differ in age, sex, location, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. They reflect the diversity of our Australian community and collectively play an integral part in Australia’s health system.
Unpaid carers help to relieve pressures in our healthcare system. This means the Government makes financial payments and services available to assist carers and their families. They include:
- Carer Payment
- Carer Allowance
- Carer Supplement
- Essential Medical Equipment Payment
- Continence Aids Payment Scheme
- Pensioner Education Supplement.
FACTS ABOUT CARERS IN AUSTRALIA
Australia has over 2.7 million carers, so 1 in every 10 Australians is a carer. Of these 2.7 million, almost half, 1.3 million cares for an aging parent, spouse or elderly loved one. One third are primary carers. These carers provide most of the informal help for a person with disability or for someone who is frail of age. Over two-thirds of primary carers are women. Most care for a close relative such as a partner, parent, or child. Depending on the care provided and the situation of the one being cared for, there are a few payments made available by the government as listed before.
TYPES OF CARE
Caring may include
- physical personal care and assistance
- providing emotional, social, or financial support
- helping the person they are caring for to be organised, reminding them to attend appointments
- dealing with emergencies
PERSONAL CARE
Caring extends beyond just physical care. It can involve physical personal care and assistance such as dressing, lifting, showering, feeding or providing transport. However, it can also involve care of a supervisory nature. This could be helping the person they are caring for to be organised, reminding them to attend appointments, dealing with emergencies, and ensuring they are safe from harm.
CARE RELATIONSHIP
One of the things all carers and the people they care for have in common is being in a care relationship. Care relationships can be long term, such as caring for a person with lifelong disability or chronic conditions such as dementia, or short term, such as caring for a person with a temporary medical condition.
How Much Are Carer Payments & What Are Their Eligibilities?
1. Carers Payment
This payment provides income support if you’re unable to work in substantial paid employment because you are providing full time care to a child with a severe disability, or a severe medical condition. As this is paid at the pension rate, it also qualifies the carer for a Pensioner Concession Card. The current maximum rate for a single person is $967.50 per fortnight, or $729.30 for a member of a couple.
- Constant care is defined as daily care which is the equivalent of a normal working day. The Treating Health Professional and carer are generally required to state this in the application.
- Pensions income and asset test is the same as the Age Pension.
- The care receiver must be on a means tested income support payment – for example, a person in receipt of a DVA War Widow payment will need to complete the Income and Asset for care receiver form.
- There is no requirement for the carer and care receiver to live together.
- You and the person you care for must be Australian Permanent Residents and in Australia to claim.
- Care generally cannot be shared for Carer Payment, except in some extreme cases.
2. Carer Allowance
This is an income supplement available if you’re providing additional daily care and attention for an adult or child with disability or a medical condition. Additionally, it is not asset tested and can be paid in addition to wages or another income support payment. The current rate of Carer Allowance is $131.90 per fortnight. It can be paid for up to two adults over 16 in your care.
- Care and Attention is care that is required daily for a minimum of 12 months unless the care receiver is an adult with a life expectancy of 3 months or less.
- Care must be provided in a private residence that is your home or a private residence that is the care receiver’s home for Carer Allowance.
- If you don’t live with the person, you care for, you have to provide at least 20 hours of care every week. An additional form is required (the Carer Allowance questionnaire).
- You and the person you care for must be Australian Permanent
- Carer Allowance can be paid for a maximum of two adult care receivers and any number of children.
- Carer Allowance may be shared by two carers who are NOT members of the same couple. The two carers must care for the same (adult or child) care receiver and each meet Carer Allowance qualification criteria.
- If you are caring for a child and do not qualify for payment level of Carer Allowance you may still be eligible for a health care card.
- The above list is not exhaustive. Additional eligibility criteria does apply.
3. Carer Supplement
An annual payment for those who care for a person with a disability or medical condition. • The carer must be in receipt of Carer Allowance or Carer Payment on 1 July each year. The supplement is $600 each year for each eligible payment and each care receiver.
- There is no need to claim this separately as it is paid automatically.
- A Child Disability Assistance Payment of $1,000 per child under 16 may also be payable if you receive carer payments in respect of a child.
4. Essential Medical Equipment Payment (EMEP)
This payment helps with the additional costs of running essential medical equipment, medically required heating or cooling, or both. If you are the carer of a dependent child, you can claim EMEP where the dependent child is the person with medical needs. A payment of $164 per year can be used for each piece of eligible essential medical equipment.
5. Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS)
Is an annual or biannual payment that helps you meet some of the costs associated with continence and continence related products if you have permanent and severe incontinence. The payment rate for 2021/22 is up to $635.10 per person.
- You must be 5 years or older to qualify and meet residency requirements.
- You must have permanent and severe loss of bladder and bowel function.
- You must be a holder of a Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card (unless you have an eligible neurological condition).
- To apply, download a copy of the CAPS application form on the Department of Health website. A section of the form must also be completed by an appropriate Health Professional.
6. Pensioner Education Supplement
This payment helps with the cost of study in an approved course if you get certain payments, such as Carer Payment. This payment is up to $62.40 per fortnight for eligible students. The easiest way to apply for a payment from Services Australia is via your MyGov account. Centrelink must be linked to your account. Or you can claim via Centrelink online. Alternatively, you can contact the Disability, Sickness and Carers line on 13 2717.
Please note that you are no longer able to complete a paper form for Carer Allowance or Carer Payment, however you can ask for the Service Officer to assist you with a telephone claim if needed.
Carers Gateway
Other supports for carers include the Carer Gateway, a resource to assist carers in meeting their own needs and taking care. They provide phone counselling, an online carer forum, and self-paced coaching and skills programs designed to equip carers with support, skills and general information.
Accessing Respite
It is important for carers to take a break from their roles. This allow them to recharge and take care of their own needs. Carers can access respite care, which can be provided by family and friends or by a respite service. Respite can occur in home, at a centre or in a residential care facility. Respite can be for a short period of time, such as a few hours per week, or for a longer period of time. Some community organisations offer care for particular groups (for example, activities for children or cultural groups). They may also offer activities for the care receiver, such as social events or therapy sessions. Some carer groups also offer activities for carers (for example, morning teas or yoga classes) to help carers take a break.
Contact the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 to find out more about the respite care that is available in your area.
This information is current as of 3 December 2020.
Comments
In Need of Support?
Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers. Call Carer Gateway for support and access to services, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time.
Assistance with accessing emergency respite is available any time, 24/7.
1800 422 737
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Carers getaway really don’t care have rang them so many times
Not over the last year as they were always abrupt showed no empathy.
Really don’t know why you advertise them.
Carer’s Allowance not even enough to keep a car on the road!
Many carers getting as little as 41 cents an hour to look after an aged, infirm or incapacitated person 24/7/365.
Some of us actively advocating for, and petitioning the Prime Minister and the Federal government to recognise and care for carers.
If you haven’t already PLEASE SIGN and SHARE this PETITION:
https://www.change.org/CarersAustraliaPetition
George I Totally Agree with what you are saying. As a Carer we take a lot of Pressure of the Health System.
The Government need to open Their Eye’s to All We Carers do. The $600 per Person who is Cared for is Pitenence Concidering what a Wage Would Cost Hourly on A Daily Basis Would Cost Them.
Be FAIR GOVERNMENT As We Are Being FAIR 2 You.
We’ll get a job then and stop trying to get $65000 per year for doing stuff all. I know someone on the care payment and she goes nowhere near the person she is supposed to care for from one week to the next. This Rory needs a bloody big overhaul.
You need to chill down before making non sense statements. Firstly where did you get the $65,000 per year, did you mean $6,500? So if a crook you know is scamming the carer system then everyone must lose the carer payment, is that what you mean? And I know that some migrants get Centrelink payments while working and not declaring their income so by your logic every migrant should lose the Centrelink payments? And you came here not to participate but to insult who is enrolled in the carer program! I stopped working 10 years ago due to a work injury and I gave up fighting the corrupted workover agent (insurance company) because I can’t afford a lawyer so I’m relying on the Centrelink payments. You go to work and enjoy the bullying!
Just because you know 1 person who is doing the wrong thing, doesn’t mean we all are. You needed to seek a lot more facts before you shot your mouth off.
You really did make a big fool of yourself.
Hi…I am a carer…if you have knowledge of people not undertaking their obligations re the carer payment or allowance..the notify centrelink
What a load of bull. I’ve been a carer for 20 years and I love what I do, I have no complaints about allowances and make do. I don’t know a fellow carer that rips the system off, but if they’re out there they would be a very small minority.
Carol—- You are grossly misinformed!!! $65,000 annually?
The correct annual figures:- •$26,000 for CarerPayment & Carer Allowance
•$4,600 annually for Carer Allowance only.
Families aren’t always around to help their loved ones during chronic and terminal illness.
It would be wise to think before stating such a bias and ignorant comment, should you ever be in need of a carer yourself.
So!! You know “a carer who doesn’t go near the person they care for” that would be the exception not the norm.
It also doesn’t say much about the company you keep. Unless you don’t know them & just follow him/her around to spy on them. Or maybe you heard this via 2nd or 3rd hand malicious gossip.
Whichever, it is doesn’t put you in a very good position to comment such garbage on other carers posts. I’m wondering why your even on this ‘carers site’.
Carole Role….The person you speak of is not like the rest of us. Those of us who care for someone find it hard to make ends meet day in day out on a careers pension. This barely covers rent for most, let alone put food on the table. To say get a job and not expect 65,000 a year for doing stuff all is ignorant as your opinion is based on one person who is not worthy to call themselves a carer. Caver payments/pensions barely reach $35,000. Some have to work full time jobs as well as care for someone which in itself IS a full time job. Others don’t have the ability to work even a part time job whilst being a carer because their role as a carer for a loved one is so demanding it leaves no time for anything including work outside of a caring role. There are many aspects of caring for a loved one or friend full time. Don’t you dare come for those of us who actually do this out of love and concern because there is no one else to step up to the plate. Don’t you dare petition for a change that will see even more carers and their care recipients put further into dire straits. If you are concerned that a carer is not fulfilling their role then REPORT them! Don’t put down those who do this because 1) there is no one else to do it 2) there is no support that doesn’t cost $$$ money and 3) because your opinion is based of one person who is unworthy.
You’re absolutely right it needs an overhaul but not for you misguided reasons. It needs an overhaul to give more support to carers and their care recipients because we need more support that doesn’t have an age requirement or a price tag so unrealistically high it’s impossible to be able to afford to pay for support. Half the time we have to work in a part time or full time job to be able to afford basic care needs for our care recipient as well as ourselves and just to be able to bloody live without wondering where our next meal is.
Yes, I know a few on it who do nothing more than get paid for doing nothing out of the basic for their partner . Also claim every hand out offered wether honestly affected or not .
I also know many on DSP who do things that prove they are physically capable of working so have rorted the system for years .
Honestly if people didnt abuse the system payments could increase & assist the ones that actually deserve them . I feel for the genuine carers and disabled/ aged life is tough enough
I really don’t understand why the one off $1000 disability payment stop’s, when child turns 16? There disability doesn’t suddenly stop, when they turn 16. If anything, they actually need more support as they get older. My opinion, your still a child until you turn 18, not 16.
Why is it we cannot claim the support of $1000 for a child who turns 16, as well as the $600 placing limits of 2 adults. The fortnight’s benefits is also restricting at two only beyond turning 16 !! No matter when a child turns in their birthdays, even if at educational schooling.
Most grown adults disabilities persons required just as much medical care or expensive treatment needs. Why can you only claim for 2 adults with payments, as our children or person who turn 16 are then placed in our care till later in life beyond 24 as adults, when most older facilities can help them, the carer allowance shouldn’t be restricted. So many carers suffer once a child turn 16 from one day it’s okay to not the next, most people are in a form of family in a care situation. All care over 16 should not be placing limits if you are running around giving care, while I understand the children have personally no limits of how many you can claim with full financial support for the medical care services provided, so why NOT with payments under 16 WHY ?
We stop these kids/adult teens youth going into full-time nursing care, so our elderly person have the required skills in care. Yet we have our reservations on limits of claims, we cannot work due to the disabilities of care we give. Past few years I’ve had twins turn 16, yet I still care for all their needs, plus providing adult care. I also have just had another child turn 16 which I cannot claim carer allowance to supply daily care or gain specialist needs as the funds limit me on only 2.
All supplement needs in payments are stopped. It’s either provide younger youth care facilities for them or pay the payments continue from 16 stop limiting a child as a adult at 16. A few days older all of sudden the amount of care goes up more from yesterday but funding is also stopped. This limit per adult over 16 is quite frankly stupid.
Over 24 maybe, but while very younger in home care with all the same things, this seems very difficult to cope and we cannot just find extra funds for them. This needs a massive federal and state changes as it’s affecting so many carers mental health care trying to meeting the disabilities needs. Under 16 you set no limits but state you cannot cope soon as they turn 16. This to me just seems like a get out of free saving for the Government. You take advantage of those who provide the care, while in personal carers each day would cost the Government big time. Families with disabilities children they are ours to care for each way. But you can not just stop the payments that get them the costly ongoing care they need each year but placing limits using them as adults teens youths to restrict amounts. If anything we should be increasing the amounts for our hard work on providing for them. Limits restrictions hurt the disabilities persons, to gain better cares, we stop many health care systems being congested in daily cares. I encourage everyone of similar circumstances to go to local members write a letter like mine in protest of this silly rules ? this needs to be stopped and backdated. !!!
I agree with all the comments David. I have 3 diagnosed children with asd and adhd and my other 2 children are undiagnosed but I am positive they have a mental health issue. Trying to get an adult diagnosed though is almost impossible unless you have money. I still have 3 people at home that I am caring for. The youngest is 16 and the other 2 are now adults. So I now only receive 2 carer allowance payments and the $600 x 2 per year. My husband couldn’t handle the situation and left not just the family but the state. The caring has always fallen to me though. I work as many hours as I can each week and probably more than I should as I have two medical conditions myself. I choose to do this because if I didn’t I would not be able to put a roof over our heads even with child support. The system needs a big overhaul. It is broken and carer’s are going to burn out and then where will everyone be? I am now also caring for my ageing mother whose health is declining. How many more people are the government going to see broken by caring for those with disabilities. We can’t increase our financial situation to allow for a better retirement so once again we will have to rely on an age pension. Where is the commonsense? Not everyone wants to be using government assistance – we are forced to by life circumstances.
As an aside a 16 year old eats more than an adult as they are still growing. They cost more to feed and clothe and their disabilities are usually affected by hormones as teenagers and therefore they need more care!!
Exactly this. If anything it costs even more when they’re over 16. The noose just gets tighter
I can’t understand why my rate of payment as a carer is reduced because I have a working husband. I don’t care any less for my blind son just because hubby is working so why should my payment be reduced. Full amount of carer payment should be paid regardless of partner’s income. Time us carers had a fair go. We care 24-7-365. Govt time to care for carers.
I can’t even get it because my husband earns just over the cut off. But that doesn’t change me being able to work and have only one wage. It’s so frustrating 😞 I also have asd level 2 and can’t get dsp because of the income cut off. It’s so hard makes me so sad.
Totally agree living on one wage and caring for elderly mother and 18 year old grandson is hard. I would even be grateful for a health care card for myself I’m 59 and it doesn’t get any easier. I don’t think anyone in government cares 😒
You got that right. I’m looking after my 87 yo Dad in our home. My husband and I are both retired. I have applied to claim for carers payment as I can’t work due to no certified qualifications. Now I see that I may not be able to even get the carers payment because of my Dads assets are over the cut off point.
You hit the nail right on the head Kathleen, no one in government cares, they only care while they are in opposition, when they get into government all the promises they made particularly while on the campaign trail are shown to have been nothing but lies. A politician is a politician whichever way you look at, it doesn’t matter who you vote for a politician always gets in, and that’s that!
I agree wholeheartedly with you. My son cares for me and because his wife works as a receptionist at a school his payment is virtually nothing per fortnight. They are only just living above the poverty line . Where is the fairness’s in that when a neighbour can have 50,000 a year in government benefits to help her stay in her home. Where do you go with this it’s so unfair and frustrating. It really equates to slave labour for carers. Maybe the Greens party need us to start lobbying for change.
Merrilyn. L
And when caring for your disabled spouse who’s the recipient of DSP. We both get 770 a fortnight. It’s barely enough to cover mortgage and food let alone raise our child. Partnered payments shouldn’t be less when both partners are pensioners. We didn’t chose to be in this situation! Medically retired at 36 with a terminal illness and a mortgage. Not ideal.
This measly payment is outrageous and a slap in the face of the mostly women who perform this service. Can you imagine if men were the primary carers they would be properly paid.
I’m a man and doing caring, I have no complaints. Not everything is a gender debate, this is a discussion for carers, not whether women are underpaid compared to men… Even then, that’s a whole other topic that is not as simple as “[men] would be properly paid.” Far from it. Please don’t think it’s that simple.
Rosslynne I’m a man who is the primary carer and I’ve been doing this for 15 years now for my 2. I have never got any preferential treatment in any regard, in fact I would say some of the feminist special school teachers and so called specialists I have come across have made my job much harder.
Very wrong assumption! I am a male primary carer on the DSP and have been for the last 11 years, the fulltime 24/7, 365 day a year carer of my ailing mother.
I get a lousy $144.80 a fortnight to look after my mother; it is not even enough to keep a car on the road and/or cover gap fees for services and products needed for my mother’s ongoing care!
I am also a national Carer’s Advocate.
Rest assured, some of us ‘males’ are trying very hard to do something about opening this Pandora’s Box.
If you haven’t already PLEASE SIGN, SUPPORT and SHARE this PETITION calling on the Prime Minister and the Federal government: Time Recognise and Care for Unpaid Carers.
Hello George,
I am on disability pension due to terminal cancer and have for the past 6 months asked my sister to help me at home but Centrelink support for her to travel 1 hour per day to me is insufficient under the Carers Allowance as she is has been waiting for over 7 months for Carers Payment which is constantly under review.
Why are the taking so much time to make a decision. It is frustration and unnecessary. Please dont be fooled that as Aboriginal people we are very much disadvantaged.
Just commenting on your sexist, insensitive, feminist comment about how much easier it would be to be paid more if you were a man… Looking after someone who is terminal doesn’t make it easier for a man, but a cold spoiled brat like yourself would have no trouble at all your got it the wrong way around. If I had a skirt I wouldn’t have any problems anymore
Rosslynne, this is not about feminism or gender nor race but about carer. I suggest you go to the Centrelink web site and educated yourself, there is no payment distinction as well as there’s no requirement difference.
I am also male and care for my elderly mother. I have 2 sisters that would not do what I am doing. So please don’t start me on the gender issue.
I totally agree with you it’s shocking to say the least for carer allowance no training at all we have carers provided for some tasks but end of day u still here 24 hrs day every day for 41 cents a day thanks Brian.
Get rid of your car and get public transport then, I’m sure you get for free along with all the other perks that come with your pension. All you lot do is whine and whinge, be bloody grateful for what you get because in many countries they get zip, nada, nothing but they still manage to care for their people they care about.
Get rid of your car and get public transport then, I’m sure you get for free along with all the other perks that come with your pension. All you lot do is whine and whinge, be bloody grateful for what you get because in many countries they get zip, nada, nothing but they still manage to care for their people they care about.
Carole, you’re not a role for sure. Enjoy your Bali holidays, enjoy your rented properties, you get a free brand new car every year because you declare that it’s work related so you do not pay tax, people like you never pay tax and so you do not contribute to the society. Chill down Carol, you made so many non sense and racist comments here.
Well you can choose not to be a carer and get a job elsewhere.
I agree little pay for a lot work
Signed 💫👌
Perhaps you could do a story on why Carer Gateway help some but not others? If you take a spin around the internet visiting certain forums and Facebook groups you’ll read how Carer Gateway have approved funding for laptops, microwaves, fridges, other cooking gadgets, a bike, mobile phones, frozen food deliveries, carer retreats, cooking classes, personal trainers, gym membership, respite care, counselling and other help to carers while many more are turned away. These stories are coming direct from the carers who have received this help or not.
Government funding was provided to Carer Gateway to help carers. We are all carers regardless of the degree of caring we do for the person we’re caring for and at various stages in our caring role we all need help in one way or another.
Carer Gateway help appears to rely on a point system that’s determined by a conversation between the carer and the Carer Gateway provider who looks after the area the carer resides in. It also relies on a report compiled by that provider based on the point system via questions asked and answered between them and the carer. It’s then up to someone or some people at Carer Gateway to approve the help requested or not.
I’m sure the carers who have benefited from Carer Gateway quite like them, while those who have been turned away with no help whatsoever feel abandoned and confused.
I can’t help but wonder if the carers who were fortunate enough to receive a lot of help from Carer Gateway did so because it was first in best dressed with sometimes multiple help being given due to the funding being new and in abundance but as time went on, the funding pool became less, so less people were helped? or is it that the point system for help is flawed? or is it that some carers can articulate and advocate for themselves better than others? or could it be some or all of the above? I don’t know, but clearly some people are desperate for help and have been turned away.
Like many other comments from carers across the internet groups and forums, I had never heard of Carer Gateway or this carer funding until just recently by which time it appears that the funding has either dried up or a much tighter criteria is being applied to those of us who came late to the carer help line.
Perhaps someone from Carer Gateway could explain why there is this anomaly when it comes to support without using the ‘not all carer needs are the same’ as I’m aware of that but when carers are directly begging for help and none is offered then something is terribly wrong.
I found them really caring and helpful.
Graham, I’ve been a carer for my partner now for nearly 4yrs now 24/7 & having my own plc to look after, which is not often. I love my lady and as bad as it is I couldn’t in a heart- beat Walkaway. She now is close to going into permanent care which is killing me. Even worse these advocates that charge around $2k are a rip-off, do it yourself as I’ve done for a little time, not easy but do-able. My partner has now a level 3 Government Care Package which these companies who handle the packages make more out of it than the recipients overall. To my thinking the system is rort & about time the Government reels in these companies, it’s overall the tax payers money & these companies are ripping of not only the people in care but the Government. Now, Government fix it for the people who it’s supposedly for.
I totally agree have had three year battle and let downs , with on going complaints. This system is not working ubder commonwealth. Bussiness model is wrong, Wellways keep telling me excuse after excuse but are improving and want go back how was under QLD carers in Qunenesland how they conducted it for carers of Queensland. They let me down so many times wait times to even get a ineterview is longe and longer if goign to Heath system and limited, under funded. Not suitable to run the program as dont seem to be ask Government and listenign to everyday Australian. It is not Australian and no one should be left behind.
So sorry to hear this Wayne – we wish you all the best with the future.
I do not receive an income of any nature just live on my own hard earned principal. If I were to live in an expensive home I would get a full carers pension: Can’t see this to be fair just victimised in my old age and not costing the government a cent but voluntarily caring for my husband who has mental issues. Come on Government look after those of us who have worked and saved all our lives and are over 75.
Why do carers of workers that are on Workcover only get a fraction of what they should be entitled to?
Should be given a full amount.
It’s interesting Carers Payment is $927 per fortnight and allowance is $130 per fortnight… So with no deductions that’s around $1057 per fortnight. I am a full time live in carer for a grown adult who is in a wheelchair, I also have 3 children and 2 of those children have special needs (ADHD) classed as a child with a disability according to Centrelink. I am their only parent so I get no time away for my own mental health. Now if I were to work as a support worker and complete 14 hours per week of meal prep, an hour a day for showering and an hour a week completing a clients shopping etc, I would be payed around $1400 per week under the guidelines of NDIS hourly rates. I get $1057 per fortnight from Centrelink to care for 3 people 24/7 meaning I’m saving the government a minimum of $4200 per week… I wonder how many others are in the same position as I am.
I am. I have three children at home with Autism, two under 16 and one 18. I also have a 13 yo with mental health issues. I sleep around 4-5 hours a night, so I can try to monitor my 18yo with his OCD. He gets support, but normally is exhausted after an hour. So I only get around 4 hours a week away from him.
I am trying desperately to find work from home, just so I can afford these interest rate increases with the mortgage, and keep the roof over our heads. But when you’ve been mainly caring for so many years, and have no viable qualifications because of it, it’s nigh impossible to find something.
Dear Susan, I feel your pain as I was a carer once myself and had my own pressures. The reason I started this publication was to provide information to carers of where they can find help. I suggest you start by ringing Carers Gateway on 1800 422 737. They are a free service that can provide real tangible help. Also get in touch with the Carers association in your state as the too are a govt agencies designed to help carers with things like respite support and finding employment. Give these two suggestions a try and please let me know how you fair.
I do 120 plus hours a week Caring for a wife after 8 strokes in 2013. I just go day by day as there is nothing left of the woman I married. It’s like being haunted of a memory of someone you used to know. She is someone I just care for now.
I have lost my working years and will have nothing by the time my super is available. And that super will be worthless by that stage.
There is no happy ending or light at the end of the tunnel. Day by day is the best I can do.
People don’t care about the sacrifice that is being made of a potential future. Even though I save the government countless dollars. I feel nothing but a slave to circumstance.
Help outside of the box would be nice. Why can’t Carer’s get access to low to nil percent loans for a Car. If my vehicle dies there is no help. And like so many others will fall victim to high percentage loans offered by financial companies that prey on the vulnerable.
I live cheap, given up on hopes and dreams, all for the sake of Caring for someone that I used to know. There is no one else who will care for her. Other than lack luster institutions, that little money could afford.
Day by day is the best I can do.
Hi Grant,
Check for interest free financial assistance from organizations in your state. For example in the ACT you can access $5,000 at no interest with payments deducted from Centrelink payments for anything including legal fees, furniture etc. There is also a charity which will lend $5,000 interest free towards a car.
I empathise with you Grant. Our society is hellbent on “success” and carers lives only matter to ourselves. Even people who say they care about us, friends and family, rarely offer practical support and usually can’t understand.
I was a foster mum who took in a 2 y.o. boy with many disabilities…41 years later I’m still looking after him…I’m now 78 and we’ve been through a lot together. I receive a Carer’s pension for the 24 hour care, still cook, clean and mow as well. I find it an insult that NDIS will pay someone to take him to the movies when I can’t afford to pay someone to mow my lawn.
Hi Barbara,
See if you can get help with cleaning and mowing etc with his NDIS plan. I have done this successfully as I had three children on NDIS and my own medical conditions.
I cook, I clean, I shower, I wash, I maintain the home, I scrub, I’m the driver, the company, the medication handler, the nurse, the companion and I am exhausted… !!!!! I try for a little respite of 4 hours from our local provider but they want $368 for 4 hours…!!!! Thats $92 per hour and I’m overwhelmed. The aged care industry should be non profit as they are government funded to supposedly assist carers. I need help, financial help, support help – there’s got to be a better way, I’m caring for my 90 year old mother who cannot be left on her own. I haven’t slept in my own bed for over 3 years as I can’t go home. Can anyone throw some useful information my way I’m open to anything that will assist me
I’m a full time carer my partner has numerous illnesses and to make ends meet I have to work 16 hrs a week I pay taxes I report every fortnight but what really gets me is my husband gets money deducted because of this . We didn’t ask for this but we live with this . I just can’t get my head around why his meager little should be touch . I’m honest and do what’s expected of me which is everything and it’s not going to get any better honestly why????
I would like to know why A person who is on Carer payment and due to our expensive cost of living gains part time employment but yet can only regain for a married Carer $363 income free dollars after which Centrelink regains half of the remainder
Instead encourage a Carer who is really working hard as a Carer plus holding down a job recognising they are paying tax and are trying to survive in this tough expensive day to day existence
What are the answers to this question when I’m an aged pension my Income free level rises until then look at this and recognise the wonderful work we are doing and to stop being so mercenary lift the income free limit in line with the age pension limit.
I am taking a step and contacting our local MP and encouraging everyone to do the same. We have to have our voice heard.
If you haven’t already PLEASE SIGN and SHARE this PETITION calling on the Prime Minister and the Federal government to better recognise and care for carers: https://www.change.org/CarersAustraliaPetition
Well done and good luck
How about Centrelink and job agencies forcing the unemployed on benefits + carers allowance to look for full time work ?
I am on carers allowance looking after my 80 year old mother who has bad knees and suffers from depression and losing her hearing.
I take her to dr appointments and to the shops and I do all the cleaning and housework and helping with meals and so on.
Now you would think with me having to do all of this that I would be given a reduced work hours from Centrelink or the job agency but nope. I even contacted the department of employment who controls Workforce Australia who runs it all explaining the situation with me not being able to look for or obtain full time work and it falls on deaf ears.
Who in their right mind is going to employ someone full time who has carers responsibilities ?
I am only looking for part time-casual work as that is all I can do.
my previous agency case manager told me not to tell the employer about it until I get the job .. I transferred from that toxic job agency but the one I am at now is also failing me.
The system is well and truly broken..
Thanks for sharing such an informative article.We are here to lend our listening ears for your troubles and provide you with the best health care assistance to free you from the pain, stigma, and isolation of your continence condition. We aim to help people live positively at home and in their social lives by providing personalized support and care.
Which is the better entitlement: The Carer Payment or an Age Pension? OR are they the same?
I had the unfortunate experience of applying to the NDIS before my disabled wife turned 65. No response from the NDIS, and they did not return my calls. Then when she turned 65 they wrote to me in a very Formal fashion to inform me she was NOT eligible now as she is 65!!
Thanks for sharing such an informative article.We are here to lend our listening ears for your troubles and provide you with the best health care assistance to free you from the pain, stigma, and isolation of your continence condition. We aim to help people live positively at home and in their social lives by providing personalized support and care.
I agree with all the comments David. I have 3 diagnosed children with asd and adhd and my other 2 children are undiagnosed but I am positive they have a mental health issue. Trying to get an adult diagnosed though is almost impossible unless you have money. I still have 3 people at home that I am caring for. The youngest is 16 and the other 2 are now adults. So I now only receive 2 carer allowance payments and the $600 x 2 per year. My husband couldn’t handle the situation and left not just the family but the state. The caring has always fallen to me though. I work as many hours as I can each week and probably more than I should as I have two medical conditions myself. I choose to do this because if I didn’t I would not be able to put a roof over our heads even with child support. The system needs a big overhaul. It is broken and carer’s are going to burn out and then where will everyone be? I am now also caring for my ageing mother whose health is declining. How many more people are the government going to see broken by caring for those with disabilities. We can’t increase our financial situation to allow for a better retirement so once again we will have to rely on an age pension. Where is the commonsense? Not everyone wants to be using government assistance – we are forced to by life circumstances.
As an aside a 16 year old eats more than an adult as they are still growing. They cost more to feed and clothe and their disabilities are usually affected by hormones as teenagers and therefore they need more care!!
Thanks for sharing such an informative article.We are here to lend our listening ears for your troubles and provide you with the best health care assistance to free you from the pain, stigma, and isolation of your continence condition. We aim to help people live positively at home and in their social lives by providing personalized support and care.
I have 5 kids under 6years of age my old man Got sick and can’t walk now his 80 years old and my wife just gave birth to our 5th I’ve had to quit my job so it’s made it hard to provide for the family literally scraping through the door with rent behind in power bills now I’ve had to sell off our other cars to stay afloat till the carer payment kicks in this gruberment don’t care
Yes I look after my 84 year old mother full time, I know she’s to scared to go into a nursing home and I don’t blame her, we are saving the government money by looking after our families, And my mother worked very hard in her life, carers should be paid more money
Back in March of 2008 the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd changed the Carer Supplements from the previous Governments $100 plus $600 on off bonuses paid for the previous 4 years, to the current $600 plus $600 system that was then enshrined in Centrelink’s payment system. The thing that appears to have been forgotten is these payment where meant to have been indexed to CPI like all other payments so why after 15 years has nothing changed. According to the RBA inflation Calculator we should be getting closer to $830 plus $830 this year.
correction to first line “$1000 plus $600” not “$100 plus $600”
When I look at my wife state of being, and wonder how meaningful I can make her life, issues of money, allowances, just pays, and so on become so insignificant and meaningless.
I am 78 and my wife is 72. She suffers from Lewy Body Dementia in Parkinson’s. Her body shakes at night as if she is having a seizure every time she has a dream. She no longer knows I am her husband. In fact recently she told me that she thought she was falling in love with me. (I said to myself in jest: “I hope this is not the first time,love.”)
In duch a context, everything else in life starts to lose its meaning, while Julie, my dear wife, gains prominence in my mind and in my life.
Am I really her husband, technically, legally, practically? Am I getting all my entitlements? Should I not get more help?
To be completely open, I no longer care about such things.
I am my wife’s sole carer. And all I wish is to give her what she deserves: the very best that I can give her, by making her life as comfortable and as pleasant as I can possibly make it within my means….whatever they are….I do not care so much.
What a load of bull. I’ve been a carer for 20 years and I love what I do, I have no complaints about allowances and make do. I don’t know a fellow carer that rips the system off, but if they’re out there they would be a very small minority.
I am. I have three children at home with Autism, two under 16 and one 18. I also have a 13 yo with mental health issues. I sleep around 4-5 hours a night, so I can try to monitor my 18yo with his OCD. He gets support, but normally is exhausted after an hour. So I only get around 4 hours a week away from him.
I am trying desperately to find work from home, just so I can afford these interest rate increases with the mortgage, and keep the roof over our heads. But when you’ve been mainly caring for so many years, and have no viable qualifications because of it, it’s nigh impossible to find something.
I don’t understand why it takes so long for the carers payment to be processed. I have a straight forward claim and nothing has been done . I call up Centrelink and the people who I talk to can’t explain either the last phone call was , “it is just waiting for the people in the next phase of processing to process.” It’s incredibly stressful when you have only the allowance to live of .I am looking after to elderly parents who are with terminal illness.
@Vanessa Ball – I suggest you make an appointment with a Centrelink ‘Aged Care Specialist’. They can help review your and your parents’ situation and escalate the processing of any payments. I got my friend to do this and they processed the claim in 3 days as her father was also terminal (just recently passed).
This is especially important when it comes to the processing of their assets & income test for Aged Care Fees (Home Care Package, CHSP, or nursing home/aged care facility) ESPECIALLY if they are entering an Aged Care Facility, as the financial assessment is locked and cannot be redone once the person has moved into care (nursing home).
Depending on whether you live in their home with them, and how long you lived with them prior to caring for them, you may also be eligible for Protected Person status. PP impacts their financial assessment for Aged Care Fees if you are a child who has lived at home with your parents for at least the last 2 years (please look up the full requirements).
If you’ve never lived at home with them, then it doesn’t apply to you. But if you do, it may, and it could mean a massive difference in the cost of contribution toward any Aged Care Fees they need to make when in receipt of Services under a Home Care Package, or at an Aged Care Facility.
Iam a age pensioner and on dialysis 3 times a week can my partner get carers allowance and. How much and would I affect my pension
Iam a age pensioner and on dialysis 3 times a week can my partner get carers allowance and. How much and would I affect my pension
Hi there, please Call Carers Gateway on 1800 422 737, who will be able to organise help and assist you.
Hi, anyone know, how much a partner of carer can earn?
my partner is a carer. I would like to know if i can get some job because he keep said that i can’t because he gonna lose his payment?
We care has experienced Registered Nurses who can help people with bladder and bowel health problems. Experienced and qualified Continence Nurse Assessment.