Centrelink support for carers

What is Carer Payment and who qualifies?

Carer Payment is an income support payment for people who provide constant care in the home for someone with a serious illness, disability, or who is frail aged. It replaces income for people who cannot work full-time because of their caring role.

To qualify, you must be providing constant care to a person with a severe medical condition or disability who requires full-time care, and you must meet an income and assets test. The person you are caring for must also be assessed.

The assessment involves a Care Needs Assessment completed by a medical professional (usually the GP or specialist) and a Carer Payment assessment by Centrelink. The treating doctor completes a medical report as part of the process.

Carer Payment is paid fortnightly and is means-tested. Payments change regularly. Check the Services Australia website (servicesaustralia.gov.au) for current rates. You can call Centrelink on 132 717 to discuss your eligibility before applying.

Apply as soon as possible. Payment is generally not backdated earlier than the date of application. Waiting to apply means losing money.

What is Carer Allowance and how is it different?

Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment for people who provide daily care and attention to someone with a disability or serious health condition. It is lower than Carer Payment and is not means-tested for income, but it is subject to an income test from 2018 onwards.

Carer Allowance can be paid in addition to Carer Payment, and can also be received by someone who works part-time and provides care in addition to their employment. It is specifically designed to recognise the contribution of carers who do not qualify for Carer Payment.

You can receive Carer Allowance for a child or an adult. If you are caring for an adult with a terminal illness at home, you are likely to qualify. Again, apply immediately: payment is not backdated.

Can the person with the diagnosis claim the Disability Support Pension?

If the person with the terminal illness is unable to work due to their condition, they may be eligible for the Disability Support Pension (DSP). The DSP is for people with a severe medical condition that substantially reduces their ability to work for at least 15 hours per week for at least the next two years.

Terminal illness does not automatically qualify someone for DSP, but the medical evidence supporting a terminal diagnosis will typically meet the threshold. A Treating Health Professional report from the GP or specialist is required.

If the person already receives another income support payment (such as JobSeeker), switching to DSP may provide a higher rate of payment and access to additional concessions.

What is the Bereavement Payment?

When someone dies, their surviving partner may be entitled to a Bereavement Payment from Centrelink. This is a lump sum payment designed to provide immediate financial support in the period immediately following a death.

Bereavement Payment is available to the surviving partner of a person who was receiving an income support payment (such as Age Pension, DSP, or Carer Payment) at the time of death. It is typically equivalent to 14 weeks of the combined couple rate that was being received.

You must claim the Bereavement Payment within 14 weeks of the death. It does not pay automatically. Contact Centrelink as soon as possible after the death and ask about bereavement payments. See also the immediately after death section of this platform for the full list of notifications required after a death.

What concession cards are available?

Centrelink recipients are usually entitled to a Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card, which provide reduced rates for a range of expenses including medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), public transport in many states, and some utility concessions.

Ask Centrelink what concession cards you and the person you are caring for are eligible for when you apply for payments. The savings over time can be significant, particularly on prescription medications.

How does the PBS and SafetyNet reduce medication costs?

The PBS subsidises the cost of many prescription medications. For concession card holders, the co-payment per PBS medication is significantly reduced. Once you reach the PBS SafetyNet threshold for the calendar year, PBS medications are free for the rest of that year.

If you are managing multiple medications, keep your PBS receipts and ask your pharmacist to record them on your SafetyNet card. The SafetyNet threshold for concession holders is typically reached quickly when multiple medications are being managed.

How can a Centrelink social worker help?

Centrelink employs social workers who can provide support beyond financial assistance. They can help with crisis situations, emotional support, referrals to community services, and navigating complex circumstances. Centrelink social workers are free to access and can be requested when you contact Centrelink.

If you are finding it difficult to navigate the Centrelink system, ask to speak with a social worker rather than a general service officer. They have more time and more options.

You can also access Centrelink services through myGov at my.gov.au, where you can submit claims, upload documents, and track the progress of applications without needing to call or visit in person.

What other payments should I check?

In addition to the payments above, check whether you or the person you are caring for may be eligible for: Mobility Allowance (if the person has difficulty using public transport), JobSeeker with reduced mutual obligation requirements due to caring responsibilities, or Remote Area Allowance if you live in a qualifying remote location.

The Services Australia website has an online payment finder at servicesaustralia.gov.au/paymentfinder that asks questions about your situation and tells you which payments you may be eligible for. It takes about five minutes and is worth doing.