Government benefits

Benefits in Australia

Most pensions and other social security payments in Australia are administered through Centrelink. Visit the Centrelink website for information on making contact to discuss your individual situation.

You can also call the Carer Line on 1800 242 636 to discuss your eligibility for benefits or for help with making an application.

If you receive a full or part pension you may also get a concession card that gives you discounts and concessions on a range of essential services. Visit the Concessions page to find out more.

Carer Payment

The Carer Payment can provide you with income support if you are unable to work because of the demands of your caring role.

To be eligible for the Carer Payment:

• You need to provide constant daily care for a person with a disability or chronic illness, mental illness, or who is frail aged. You do not need to live with the person you care for, but you need to live within a reasonable distance and provide care on a daily basis.
• The person(s) you care for must meet a minimum level of care needs as assessed by either the Adult Disability Assessment Tool or the Disability Care Load Assessment (Child) Determination 2010.
• Both you and the person you care for must be Australian residents, currently living in Australia.
• You, your employed spouse or partner (if you have one) and the person you care for must all meet the income and assets test for the payment. If you earn income or own property, savings or investments above a particular amount (the 'threshold'), you may not be eligible. 
• There are also limitations on the number of hours you can spend working, studying, volunteering or training. This must not amount to over 25 hours a week (including travel time).

Centrelink can be flexible about some of the eligibility rules particularly if the person you care for has high care needs or if you care for more than one person. Contact Centrelink on 132 717 to discuss your individual situation.

Carer Allowance & Carer Supplement

The Carer Allowance is a payment that may be available to help you with the costs of caring. It can be paid as a single payment or in addition to the Carer Payment or another pension or benefit.

To be eligible for the Carer Allowance:

• You must provide daily care for a person with a disability or chronic illness, mental illness, or who is frail aged. You do not have to live with the person you care for.
• Both you and the person(s) you care for must be Australian residents, currently living in Australia.
• The person(s) you care for must meet a minimum level of care needs as assessed by either the Adult Disability Assessment Tool or the Disability Care Load Assessment (Child) Determination 2010. 
• Your household income must be less than the $250,000 threshhold

Previously, the Carer Allowance was not subject to an income or assets test. As of 20 September 2018, the Carer Allowance and any attached Carer Supplements will be income tested. Carers with a household income of a quarter of a million dollars per year or more will no longer be eligible to receive the Carer Allowance and any attached Carer Supplements. This income test also applies to Carer Allowance Health Care Cards.

Working or studying will not normally affect your eligibility, unless you exceed the income limit.

If you receive a Carer Allowance, Carer Payment, or Department of Veterans' Affairs Carer Service Pension you will also receive a lump sum payment each year to help cover the cost of care. A separate carer supplement is paid for each person you care for. 

The payment is made automatically in July of each year and you do not need to make a separate claim.

Child Disability Assistance Payment

If you receive the Carer Allowance (Child) you will also receive a lump sum payment each year to help with the costs of caring for a child with a disability. The payment is made automatically in July of each year and you do not need to make a separate claim.

Other benefits and allowances

You or the person you care for may be eligible for other types of income support or allowances if you:

• Are aged, have a long-term disability or sickness, are a single parent or unable to work for another reason
• Are on a low income
• Need help with mobility, rent or education costs or live in a remote area
• Are in severe financial need because of circumstances beyond your control.

Find out more

To find out more about any of these payments or to discuss which pension will best meet your needs, visit the Centrelink website or contact Centrelink directly on 132 717. 

If you are a veteran or the widow or widower of a veteran, you may also be eligible for income support from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Visit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website to find out more.