Carer Allowance

What is Carer Allowance?

You may be eligible for different payments depending on your circumstances and those of the person you care for.

The Carer Allowance is an income supplement for people who provide additional daily care and attention for an adult or child with a disability or medical condition, or an adult who is frail and elderly.

How does it work?

The carer and the person you are providing care for must both be eligible.

This fortnightly payment is for you if you give support and care to someone either:

• with disability
• with a medical condition
• who’s frail aged.

This payment is for you if the person you care for needs ongoing daily care for at least 12 months or has a terminal medical condition.

To get Carer Allowance the person you care for:

• needs care for at least 12 months, or has a terminal medical condition
• is assessed as needing care by a medical profession
• can be cared for in their home or your home
• meet the residence rules.

As the carer, you’ll need to:

• meet residence rules
• provide daily care and attention to someone who needs it in their home, or your home.

You may get Carer Allowance for more than one person. You can get Carer Allowance for up to 2 adults and more than one child.

Income and assets

• There is no assets test for Carer Allowance but there is an income test.
• To get Carer Allowance your and your partner’s combined adjusted taxable income must be under $250,000 a year.
• If you meet the Carer Allowance income test , your income doesn’t affect how much Carer Allowance you can get.

What should I be thinking about?

• The Carer Allowance is a fortnightly income supplement.
• This payment doesn’t add to your taxable income.
• The Department of Social Services review the payment rates on 1 January each year.
• Carer Allowance is $159.30 each fortnight.

This information is of a general nature. It does not consider your personal objectives, needs or situation. It does not represent legal, tax or personal advice and should not be taken as such. If it has been provided to you with a Statement of Advice (SoA), you should rely on the personal advice in the SoA.

Care has been taken to provide up to date and accurate information relating to the subject area however BR Advice Pty Ltd (ABN 30 612 056 523, AFSL 488655), Blue Rock Private Wealth Pty Ltd (ABN 95 166 927 055, AFSL 452733), and their representatives make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness.

Published: January 2025.

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