Do you provide care for someone?
If you are a primary carer (provide daily care) for someone who has a Support at Home package, you are eligible for carer allowance.
What is carer allowance?
Carer allowance is a fortnightly payment given to those who are caring for somebody who is “frail aged”. It is not subject to an asset assessment but as of February 2018, it does involve an income test.
In order to receive this payment, you and the person you are caring for must meet certain criteria:
- You must both be Australian residents
- You must be providing care in their home, your home, or in hospital
- Their care needs must score high enough on the Adult Disability Assessment Determination (ADAT)
- They must have these care needs for at least 12 months
- You (as the carer) must meet an income test
- Your income (combined with your partners, if applicable) must be less than $250,000 per annum
Adult Disability Assessment Determination (ADAT)
The ADAT contains two questionnaires, one of which is to be answered by you as the carer and the other to be answered by a Health Professional. Your questionnaire relates to the amount of care required for certain activities such as mobility, communication, hygiene, eating and management in a range of cognitive and behavioural areas. Your responses, combined with the responses of the Health Professional, are used to calculate a score indicating the level of care needed.
For more information on how to answer the ADAT, click here.
Can I receive both Carer Allowance and Carer Payment?
Yes! If your carer duties are full time and mean that you are unable to work in “substantial paid employment”, you can also receive the Carer Payment.
On top of Carer Allowance and Carer Payment, there is also a Carer Supplement! This is an annual lump sum payment which helps with the costs of caring. Plus, if you’re receiving either a Carer Payment or a Carer Allowance, you’ll automatically receive the Carer Supplement as well.
How much money will I receive?
Carer Allowance is $162.60 each fortnight. You can receive it if your combined family income is less than $250,000 a year. If you care for more than one person, you may be eligible for more than one allowance.
Carer Payment is a separate payment for full-time carers. The maximum basic rate is $1,135.40 a fortnight for a single person, or $855.90 each for a couple, which is $1,711.80 combined. Once the pension and energy supplements are included, the total is $1,237.70 for a single person and $933.00 each for a couple.
Carer Supplement is an annual payment of $600 for each eligible payment you receive.
Rates shown are current at October 2026. You can check the latest amounts on the Services Australia Carer Allowance page.