There are three types of financial assistance for people who take on caring responsibilities – Carer Allowance, Carer Payment and Carer Supplement.  There are around 2.7 million unpaid carers in Australia and this figure will be increased over the coming years. So, we will first focus on the difference between the Carer Allowance and Carer Payment. Both provide financial help to the carers, but there are differences.  

The Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment, currently $153.50 per fortnight, for people who provide daily care and assistance to someone with a disability, medical condition or frail aged.  

 Many Carer Allowance recipients who work part-time or full-time, study or volunteer are still eligible for this payment.

 The Eligibility criteria for Carer Allowance are:

There is no requirement to live with the person you’re caring for, but if the carer lives elsewhere, they will need to prove they are providing daily care of at least 20 hours per week, measured against the treating health professional’s report and the responses to their questions in the claim form.

 Carer Allowance is an amount to be paid for a caring role. The Carer Allowance is designed to assist financially, to supplement a carer’s other income. It is not designed to be their main form of income. The annual figure amounts to around $4,500 per annum (including the supplement amount), so it’s worth the application process for most.

How to claim Carer Allowance – Services Australia

 The Carer Payment, on the other hand, is a little different.  This payment is intended to be a carer’s main source of income in recognition of their inability to undertake employment, training, or study due to their caring role. Therefore, this payment is subject to means testing, with the maximum payments currently $1,096.70 per fortnight for single carers, and $826.70 for carers in a relationship. Depending on your and your partner’s income and assets, this amount is like the Age Pension. This is the main difference between Carer Allowance and Carer Payment, but note, if you qualify for the carer Payment, then you’ll also receive the Carer Allowance. 

To be eligible for Carer Payment, you will need to meet the following requirements:

How to claim Carer Payment – Carer Payment – Services Australia

Other differences between Carer Allowance and Carer Payment include:

The Carer Supplement is an annual payment, of up to $600, for a carer who has caring responsibilities and gets certain carer or Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ payments:

You will need to receive one of the above payments for a period that includes 1st July to be eligible for Carer Supplement.  This payment does not add to taxable income. If you are eligible, the supplement will be paid into the bank account without applying for it.

Frequently Asked Questions:

A carer can have 63 days of respite each calendar year without the payment being stopped. The calendar year is from 1 January until 30 December.

While you’re having a break, the care receiver can either be:

Breaks from caring when you get Carer Payment – Carer Payment – Services Australia

Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria.  Regardless of whether the care receiver is on the Home Care Package or other in-home support services, this does not preclude the carer from receiving the Carer Allowance or Carer Payment.

 3. What happens when the care receiver enters residential care?

Unfortunately, the Carer Allowance will cease once the care receivers are inresidential care, but the Carer Payment generally continues for seven fortnightsto assist carers to organize other alternative income arrangements.  

 Please contact us on 9123 4560 if you have any questions in relation to the payments available for Carers.  Our service is Free.

Further information:

Centrelink Payments For Carers – Carers Australia Carers Australia