Carer Payment Guide: Eligibility, Requirements, Application & Payment Information
Independent information on Carer Payment — Australia's income support payment for people who provide constant care to a family member or friend with a disability, severe medical condition, serious illness or frailty associated with age. Understand eligibility, the income and assets tests, what constitutes constant care, how to apply and what to expect from Centrelink.
Independent Information
This page provides independent educational information about Carer Payment. For official eligibility assessments, claim submissions and payment details, always use Services Australia or access your Centrelink account through myGov.
What Is Carer Payment?
Carer Payment is an income support payment administered by Services Australia through Centrelink. It is designed to provide financial assistance to people who are unable to support themselves through substantial paid employment because they are providing constant care to someone with a disability, a severe medical condition, a serious illness or a frail-aged person.
Caring full-time for another person is demanding, meaningful and often prevents carers from participating in the workforce in a meaningful way. Carer Payment recognises this reality by providing a regular income to eligible carers who have taken on caring as their primary daily responsibility.
It is important to distinguish Carer Payment from Carer Allowance. Carer Payment is a means-tested income support payment — similar in nature to other Centrelink payments like the Age Pension or JobSeeker — and is the primary payment for carers who cannot work full-time because of their caring role. Carer Allowance, by contrast, is a supplementary payment that recognises the additional daily care responsibilities of a carer and can be paid on top of Carer Payment or on top of other income if the carer is working.
Carer Payment is managed through your Centrelink online account, accessible via myGov. Once linked, you can submit your claim, provide documentation, track your application progress and manage your payment details digitally. The caring role and the care recipient's condition are both assessed by Centrelink as part of the eligibility process, which can involve medical assessments and specialist reports.
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Income Support for Full-Time Carers
Carer Payment provides financial assistance to carers who cannot work full-time because they are providing constant daily care to someone with disability, illness or frailty.
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Managed by Services Australia
Carer Payment is administered by Services Australia (Centrelink). Claims are assessed through myGov and may require supporting medical evidence and care assessments.
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Means-Tested Payment
Carer Payment is subject to both an income test and an assets test. Your income, your partner's income and the value of your assets all affect whether you receive the payment and how much.
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Different from Carer Allowance
Carer Payment is the main income support for carers. Carer Allowance is a smaller supplementary payment recognising daily care. In some circumstances you may be eligible for both.
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Medical Assessment Required
The care recipient's condition must be assessed — often through a Carer Payment assessment or medical certificate — to confirm that the level of care required meets the Centrelink definition of constant care.
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Managed Through MyGov
Submit your claim, upload documents, track your application and receive correspondence through your Centrelink online account in myGov.
Who Can Get Carer Payment?
Carer Payment is available to people who are providing daily constant care to a person whose condition significantly affects the carer's ability to work. Here is an overview of who may qualify.
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Carers Providing Constant Care
To qualify, you must be providing constant care to the person you are caring for. "Constant care" generally means daily attention to bodily functions and/or supervision on a daily basis to avoid the person injuring themselves or others. The care does not have to be provided every minute of the day, but it must be substantial.
- Daily assistance with bodily functions
- Supervision to prevent harm
- Regular and ongoing nature
- Care must significantly limit your capacity for paid work
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Caring for a Person with Disability
Carers of people with physical, intellectual or psychiatric disabilities may be eligible for Carer Payment if the level of care required meets the constant care threshold. The care recipient's disability or condition must be assessed and confirmed by Centrelink as part of the application process.
- Physical disability care
- Intellectual disability support
- Psychiatric condition care
- Assessment by Centrelink required
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Caring for Someone with a Serious Medical Condition
If you are caring for a family member or friend with a severe or chronic medical condition that requires daily care and significantly limits the care recipient's ability to care for themselves, you may be eligible. Medical evidence from a treating doctor or specialist is generally required.
- Severe or chronic medical conditions
- Ongoing care requirement
- Medical evidence from treating doctor
- Must meet constant care criteria
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Caring for a Frail-Aged Person
Carers of elderly people who are frail due to their age — and who require substantial daily care to manage personal activities and daily living — may qualify for Carer Payment. This includes adult children caring for ageing parents or grandparents who need significant daily support.
- Care for elderly parents or grandparents
- Frailty must be significant and ongoing
- Daily personal care assistance required
- Assessed against care needs criteria
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End-of-Life Care Situations
People providing care to someone with a terminal illness may be eligible for Carer Payment, and there are provisions for more streamlined assessment processes in some end-of-life care situations. The care still needs to meet the constant care criteria, but the medical evidence requirements may differ for terminal conditions.
- Terminal illness of care recipient
- Constant care requirement still applies
- Streamlined assessment may be available
- Contact Services Australia for specific guidance
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Residency Requirements
You must be an Australian resident and physically present in Australia to receive Carer Payment. Certain waiting periods may apply for recently arrived residents. The person you care for must also generally be an Australian resident, though exceptions can apply in some circumstances.
- Must be an Australian resident
- Physically present in Australia
- Care recipient generally also resident
- Waiting periods may apply for new residents
Carer Payment Eligibility Requirements
Carer Payment eligibility is assessed across several areas. Understanding each requirement helps you prepare a complete and accurate claim.
Care Requirements & Constant Care
The cornerstone of Carer Payment eligibility is the concept of "constant care." Under Services Australia guidelines, constant care generally means providing daily attention to bodily functions or daily supervision to prevent harm. The caring role must substantially reduce your capacity to undertake substantial paid work — that is, work of more than 25 hours per week (including travel time).
Constant care does not mean you need to be physically present with the care recipient every minute of the day. However, the care must be a regular and substantial part of your daily life. Care that is intermittent, minimal or casual in nature is unlikely to meet the constant care threshold.
Medical Assessment Requirements
The care recipient's condition must be formally assessed to confirm that it meets the eligibility criteria for Carer Payment. This assessment varies depending on whether you are caring for a child or an adult and the nature of the condition.
For adults, assessment may involve the Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT), which looks at the care recipient's functional limitations across various domains and how much assistance they need with daily activities. Medical certification from a treating doctor or specialist is also required to support the claim.
For children under 16, the Disability Care Load Assessment (Child) process is used. Medical and functional evidence is required about the child's care needs across different areas of daily living.
Eligibility Summary
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Constant Care Provided
You must be providing constant care to the care recipient on a daily basis. The care must substantially reduce your ability to work more than 25 hours per week.
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Australian Residency
Both you and the care recipient must generally be Australian residents. You must be physically present in Australia when your claim is assessed.
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Income Test
Your income and your partner's income are assessed under the income test. Your payment may reduce or cease if your combined income exceeds the applicable threshold.
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Assets Test
The total value of your and your partner's assets is assessed. If assets exceed the threshold, your payment may be reduced or cancelled.
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Medical Assessment
The care recipient's condition must be formally assessed by Centrelink — typically through an ADAT for adults or a care load assessment for children — supported by medical evidence.
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Person Receiving Care
The person you care for must have a disability, severe medical condition, serious illness or frailty associated with age that requires the level of care you are providing.
Who Can the Care Recipient Be?
The person you are caring for must meet specific conditions for Carer Payment to be approved. Here are the types of care recipients that Centrelink recognises.
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Child with Disability
You may receive Carer Payment for caring for a child under 16 with a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disability that results in a significant care load as assessed by Centrelink.
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Adult with Disability
An adult (16 or over) with a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disability who requires daily assistance with personal activities and care. Assessment through the ADAT process is required.
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Person with Severe Medical Condition
Someone with a severe ongoing medical condition — such as advanced cancer, organ failure, or other serious chronic illness — that requires daily care and substantially limits their ability to care for themselves.
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Frail-Aged Person
An elderly person whose physical or cognitive condition due to age means they require substantial daily care and supervision to manage their personal care and daily activities safely.
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Person with Terminal Illness
Someone with a terminal illness who requires constant daily care as their condition progresses. Centrelink may have specific assessment provisions for terminal illness situations.
The care recipient does not have to be a family member — you may be providing care to a friend or partner. However, you cannot receive Carer Payment for providing care in a professional or employment capacity. The care must be provided informally, as a family member, friend or unpaid carer. See our Carer Payment Care Rules guide for more detail.
Carer Payment vs Carer Allowance
Many carers are confused about the difference between Carer Payment and Carer Allowance. They are two separate Centrelink payments designed for different purposes, and in some circumstances you may receive both.
Primary Income Support
Carer Payment is the main income support payment for carers. It is designed for people who cannot work full-time (more than 25 hours per week) because they are providing constant care to someone who qualifies.
- Means-tested — income and assets tests apply
- Paid to carers who cannot work full-time due to caring
- Requires constant care of eligible care recipient
- Medical assessment of care recipient required
- Payment rate similar to other income support payments
- Carers may also receive Carer Allowance on top
- Only one Carer Payment per carer per care recipient
Supplementary Caring Recognition
Carer Allowance is a smaller supplementary payment that recognises the additional daily care responsibilities of carers. It is not income-tested and can be paid regardless of whether you are working, studying or receiving other income.
- Not income-tested — available to working carers too
- Paid to carers who provide daily care and attention
- Can be paid in addition to Carer Payment
- Can also be received while working full-time
- Lower payment amount than Carer Payment
- Assets test still applies in some circumstances
- Requires separate application from Carer Payment
💡 Can I receive both? Yes — in many circumstances, a carer who qualifies for Carer Payment will also qualify for Carer Allowance. You need to apply for each payment separately. Receiving Carer Payment does not automatically entitle you to Carer Allowance, and vice versa. See our Carer Allowance guide for more information.
How to Apply for Carer Payment
Carer Payment claims are submitted online through myGov. Here is a clear step-by-step overview of the application process.
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Create or Access Your MyGov Account
To apply for Carer Payment you need a myGov account. If you do not already have one, visit my.gov.au and create an account — it is free. See our MyGov Guide for step-by-step instructions on creating and accessing your account.
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Link Your Centrelink Account to MyGov
Once you have a myGov account, link your Centrelink account by selecting "Link a service" from your myGov dashboard and choosing Centrelink. You will need to verify your identity using personal information held by Centrelink. See our Centrelink Guide for help with linking.
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Gather Medical and Supporting Documents
Before starting your claim, gather the medical and supporting evidence you will need. This includes documentation about the care recipient's condition from their treating doctor or specialist, identity documents, financial information and details about the care you provide. Having everything ready in advance significantly reduces delays.
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Complete and Submit Your Carer Payment Claim
Log in to your Centrelink online account through myGov and select "Make a claim". Choose Carer Payment and follow the prompts. You will be asked about your circumstances, the person you care for, the nature of the care you provide, and your income and assets. Answer all questions carefully and honestly.
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Track Your Application and Respond to Requests
After submitting, track your application through your Centrelink online account. Centrelink may request additional information, send forms to your care recipient's doctor, or schedule a care needs assessment. Respond to all requests promptly to avoid unnecessary delays. Check your myGov inbox regularly.
💡 Apply early: Carer Payment cannot generally be backdated before your claim date. If you have recently taken on a full-time caring role, submit your claim as soon as possible — even if you do not have all your documents ready. You can supply additional documentation after the initial claim is lodged.
Documents Required for Carer Payment
Carer Payment applications typically require more documentation than many other Centrelink payments because the care recipient's condition must be formally assessed. Here is what you will likely need.
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Identity Documents
Proof of your own identity — such as a passport, driver's licence, Australian birth certificate or Medicare card. Multiple forms are generally required.
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Medical Evidence
A medical certificate or report from the care recipient's treating doctor or specialist confirming the nature of their condition, the level of care required and the ongoing nature of the care need.
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Care Assessment Forms
Centrelink may issue specific care assessment forms — such as the Treating Health Professional form — that need to be completed by the care recipient's doctor as part of the eligibility assessment process.
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Income Information
Details of your income and your partner's income from all sources, including employment, investments, rental income and any other government payments you receive.
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Asset Information
Details of assets you and your partner own, including savings accounts, investments, property (other than your principal home), vehicles and other significant assets.
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Tax File Number
Your Tax File Number (TFN) is required as part of the Carer Payment application. If you do not have a TFN, see our TFN guide.
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Banking Details
Your Australian bank account BSB and account number for payment deposits. Centrelink pays Carer Payment directly into your nominated bank account.
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Care Recipient Details
Personal details about the person you care for — including their name, date of birth, TFN (if an adult), relationship to you, and their diagnosis or condition details.
Carer Payment Rates
Carer Payment rates are means-tested and vary based on your personal circumstances. Rates are updated regularly by the government and change over time.
The rate of Carer Payment you receive depends on several factors, including whether you are single or partnered, your income and assets, and any supplementary payments you may receive alongside the base Carer Payment amount. Rates are generally reviewed and adjusted periodically — typically twice a year — by the government.
Because Carer Payment rates change regularly and vary between individuals, PublicAccess.au does not publish specific dollar amounts. Publishing rates that quickly become outdated risks providing misleading information to carers who rely on it for financial planning. We strongly encourage you to check the current rates directly through the official Services Australia website, which is maintained with current figures.
Factors Affecting Your Rate
- Whether you are single or partnered
- Your income from employment or other sources
- Your partner's income (if applicable)
- Total value of your combined assets
- Whether you are a homeowner or non-homeowner
- Any rent assistance you may qualify for
- Other supplementary payments you may receive
Possible Additional Payments
- Carer Allowance (separate payment, if eligible)
- Pension Supplement (in some circumstances)
- Energy Supplement (automatic, if eligible)
- Rent Assistance (if renting privately and eligible)
- Pharmaceutical Allowance (in some cases)
- Remote Area Allowance (if living remotely)
- Carer Supplement (annual payment, if eligible)
Working While Receiving Carer Payment
Carer Payment is specifically designed for carers who cannot work full-time due to their caring role — but there are circumstances where carers can undertake some work, study or volunteering.
One of the key requirements for Carer Payment is that the caring role must substantially limit your ability to undertake substantial paid employment — generally defined as more than 25 hours per week, including travel time. However, this does not mean carers receiving Carer Payment cannot work at all.
Carers may be able to undertake some paid work, study or voluntary activities of up to 25 hours per week (including travel time) without losing their Carer Payment eligibility, provided the caring still meets the constant care criteria. The 25-hour limit includes the combined total of any employment, study, training and voluntary work.
If you take on work that exceeds 25 hours per week, Centrelink may review your eligibility for Carer Payment on the basis that your caring role may no longer prevent substantial employment. The income test will also apply to any income you earn while receiving Carer Payment.
Study and volunteering are subject to the same 25-hour limit. Carers who wish to undertake approved study or volunteer work should check how this affects their eligibility and their income test with Centrelink before commencing activities.
All changes in your circumstances — including starting work, increasing hours or commencing study — must be reported to Centrelink promptly. Failing to report changes can result in a Centrelink debt if you receive payments you were not entitled to.
Working While on Carer Payment GuideWork & Activity Rules Summary
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25-Hour Weekly Limit
You may work, study or volunteer for up to 25 hours per week (including travel time) without automatically losing Carer Payment eligibility.
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Income Test Applies
Any income you earn from employment is assessed under the income test and may reduce your Carer Payment rate accordingly.
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Study Counts Toward Limit
Approved study and training count toward the 25-hour weekly limit, along with any paid employment and volunteering.
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Volunteer Work Included
Voluntary work also counts toward your 25-hour activity limit. The total of all activities — paid and unpaid — must not exceed 25 hours per week.
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Report All Changes
Any change in your work, study or volunteer activity — including starting a new job, changing hours or stopping work — must be reported to Centrelink.
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Care Must Remain Constant
Regardless of how many hours you work, the caring role must still meet the constant care criteria. If your caring duties decrease, your eligibility may be affected.
Common Carer Payment Problems
If you experience issues during your Carer Payment application or while receiving the payment, here is practical guidance on the most common challenges.
Carer Payment Processing Times
How Long Does a Carer Payment Claim Take?
Carer Payment claims generally take longer to process than many other Centrelink payments because they involve medical assessments, care assessment forms, and specialist evidence that must be gathered and reviewed. There is no guaranteed processing timeframe, and processing times can vary considerably.
Medical evidence is the most common cause of delay. The care recipient's treating doctor or specialist must complete forms as part of the assessment process. If these forms are delayed, incomplete, or require follow-up, the overall claim timeline will be extended accordingly.
Care assessment timelines also vary. In straightforward cases where the care need is clear and well-documented, processing can proceed relatively quickly. In more complex cases — particularly those involving multiple conditions, disputed assessments, or significant financial complexity — processing can take considerably longer.
To keep your claim moving: respond promptly to all Centrelink requests, follow up with your care recipient's treating doctor to ensure assessment forms are completed quickly, and check your myGov inbox regularly for any correspondence or requests for further information.
Processing Times GuideCarer Payment Tools
Use our free independent tools to check eligibility, estimate payments and prepare your Carer Payment application.
Related Carer Guides
Explore our detailed guides on every aspect of carer support, Centrelink carer payments and related services.
Common Questions About Carer Payment
Answers to the most common questions Australians ask about Carer Payment, eligibility requirements and the application process.
Related Services
Carer Payment is part of Australia's broader welfare and public services network. Explore related information on PublicAccess.au.
Official Government Resources
For official Carer Payment claims, eligibility assessments and Centrelink services, always use official Australian Government websites.
Always verify your eligibility, current payment rates and claim status directly through Services Australia or your Centrelink online account in myGov. PublicAccess.au provides educational information only.
Why Use PublicAccess.au for Carer Payment Information
Australians use PublicAccess.au for clear, independent and easy-to-understand information about Centrelink carer payments and government services.
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Independent Information
We are not affiliated with Centrelink, Services Australia or any government agency. Our content is produced independently and without government direction or influence.
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Step-by-Step Guides
We break down complex Centrelink processes — from understanding constant care requirements to completing your application — into clear, numbered steps.
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Regularly Updated Content
Our Carer Payment guides are reviewed and updated when significant eligibility changes, rate adjustments or policy changes occur.
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Helpful Calculators
Our free Benefits Calculator and Carer Payment Eligibility Checker help you assess your situation before contacting Centrelink.
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Easy-to-Understand Explanations
We explain complex eligibility criteria — like the constant care definition, ADAT assessments and income/assets tests — in plain English that any carer can understand.
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Official Source References
We always reference and link to official Services Australia resources so you can verify important information directly with the authoritative source.
Carer Payment in Australia
Carer Payment plays a vital role in supporting Australians who have taken on significant caring responsibilities for a family member, partner or friend with a disability, severe medical condition, serious illness or age-related frailty. By providing a regular income to carers who cannot participate fully in the workforce because of the constant care they provide, Carer Payment acknowledges the essential contribution carers make to the wellbeing of some of Australia's most vulnerable people.
Understanding the key requirements — particularly the constant care criteria, the income and assets tests, and the medical evidence requirements — is essential preparation before lodging a claim. Gathering supporting documentation from treating health professionals, preparing your financial information and understanding how Carer Payment differs from Carer Allowance will help you submit a complete, well-prepared application and reduce processing delays.
PublicAccess.au is here to help carers navigate the system with confidence. Our guides, tools and resources are designed to make the information clearer and more accessible — but your eligibility, your payment rate and your claim status can only be confirmed through your official Centrelink account. Always verify important information with Services Australia before making decisions based on your caring situation.
Explore our related guides — including the Carer Allowance guide, Carer Payment Care Rules, Working While on Carer Payment and Caring for Elderly Parents — along with our Benefits Calculator and Carer Payment Eligibility Checker to get the most complete picture before you apply.
Disclaimer
PublicAccess.au provides independent informational content only and does not provide financial advice, legal advice, medical advice, taxation advice, migration advice, government services, or official claim processing. All content is for general educational and informational purposes only. Always verify important information — including current payment rates, eligibility requirements and application processes — through official Australian Government resources, including Services Australia and myGov. PublicAccess.au is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Services Australia, Centrelink, myGov or any Australian Government agency.