Older Australians - caring for others

If you are an older Australian you may have needs relating to the care you are providing for others. This includes caring for your partner, children, grandchildren, an elderly parent or someone with an illness or disability.

Who does this information apply to?

Older Australians who are caring for others such as:

• a partner
• children or grandchildren
• an elderly parent
• someone with an illness or disability

Financial support

If you are caring for somebody who has a severe disability, medical condition or who are frail aged, you might be able to get financial support to help you, such as Carer Payment or Carer Allowance.

If you are a grandparent or a carer responsible for children you may be able to get family assistance payments and services. This includes Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Benefit. You can also get child support from one or both parents to help you cover the costs of child care. You have to first apply to the Child Support program to have an assessment on whether you can get this type of support and, if so, how much you can get. You can speak to a Grandparent Advisor at select Centrelink Service Centres to help you get organised. 

More information

Centrelink website

• Caring
• Grandparents and carers who raise and care for children
• Grandparent advisors

Child Support website

• Non-Parent Carers

Health services

If you are a grandparent or carer you can claim Medicare benefits to help you cover the medical expenses you have had to cover on behalf of the child you are caring for.

You may also be able to get a foster child Health Care Card for the children in your care.

You can speak to a Grandparent Advisor at select Centrelink Service Centres to help you get organised. 

More information

• Medicare website - Grandparents and Carers