Payment rates for Carer Allowance
Carer Allowance (caring for a person 16 years or over)
The payment rate of Carer Allowance (caring for a person 16 years or over) is $115.40 per fortnight.
If you are receiving a Carer Allowance payment on 1 July each year, you will also receive an annual Carer Supplement of up to $600 for each person in your care who qualifies you for Carer Allowance.
Carer Allowance (caring for a child under 16 years)
The payment rate of Carer Allowance (caring for a child under 16 years) is either:
- a fortnightly payment of $115.40 and a Health Care Card for the child or
- a Health Care Card for the child.
Which of these you receive depends on the child’s care needs.
If you are receiving a Carer Allowance (caring for a child under 16 years) payment on 1 July each year, you are also paid an annual:
- Child Disability Assistance Payment of up to $1000 to help you with the costs of caring for a child with a disability and
- Carer Supplement of up to $600 for each child in your care who qualifies you for Carer Allowance.
General information about payments
Back payment
In some circumstances, you may qualify for back payment of Carer Allowance for up to 12 weeks from the date you lodge your claim.
Income and assets
You do not have to meet income or assets tests to receive Carer Allowance.
Shared care
If you share the caring role with someone who is not your partner, you may both be eligible for some Carer Allowance.
Tax
You do not have to pay tax on Carer Allowance, Child Disability Assistance Payment or Carer Supplement.
Payment adjustments and reviews
Carer Allowance is usually adjusted on 1 January each year, in line with the Consumer Price Index—that is, in line with increases in the costs of living.
From time to time, your Carer Allowance is reviewed. The amount you receive may be adjusted because your circumstances or those of the person or child you care for have changed—for example, someone else also provides care, or the person or child stops needing your care.
If you are caring for a person 16 years or over, he or she will generally be reviewed every two years to check whether there are any changes to their medical condition.
Note: If the person you are caring for has a severe disability or medical condition and requires a high level of care, he or she is unlikely to have many medical reviews.
If you are caring for a child under 16, he or she may be required to have a medical review on reaching developmental milestones. If the child's disability or condition is on the list of recognised disabilities, he or she will not have milestone reviews.