Providing care for someone with disability, has a medical condition, or is frail aged, might qualify for Carer Allowance. This is a fortnightly payment of $159.60 aimed at helping Australian carers with costs of care during the time and attention given daily.
What Is Carer Allowance?
Carer Allowance is a payment from Centrelink aimed at assisting carers with their costs due to the additional burden. The payment is different from the Carer Payment in that there is no income or assets test to qualify for it, and best of all, you can also get Carer Allowance while working, studying, or in receipt of other Centrelink payments. Currently, the allowance rate is $159.60 for each individual you care for, every fortnight. You can also receive allowances for several people at the same time and receive multiple payments.
Carer Allowance in 2025
Carer Allowance is available to find and claim Centrelink. To qualify you must meet all the requirements. You must be providing daily care and attention to either an adult with disability, a medical condition, or someone who’s frail due to age. Alternatively, you might be caring for a child under 16 with disability or a serious medical condition. Having a disability, illness, or condition needing ongoing daily assistance and attention is a prerequisite for being a care receiver. In the case of adults, the condition must score a certain number of points in the Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT). In the case of children, a sufficient score must be attained on the Disability Care Load Assessment (Child) Determination. You must also be an Australian resident, and the care receiver must be in Australia and catered for here.
Important Payment Dates for 2025
Centrelink pays Carer Allowance every two weeks. Your specific payment date is based on the date your claim approval was processed. Payments are automatically deposited into your account every two weeks. It’s important to remember that Carer Allowance also has a $600 annual supplement, which is paid in July if you qualify. For the current year, the July 2025 payment is expected in the first week.
How to Apply
The quickest way to submit your claim is to do it online through myGov. You’ll need to link your Centrelink account and fill out the claim for Carer Allowance. Ensure you have the medical evidence from a treating health professional for the person you are caring for. You can also obtain help with your application by going to a Services Australia service centre or by phoning the Carer Gateway at 1800 422 737.
Can You Work While Receiving Carer Allowance?
Yes! One of the most appealing aspects of Carer Allowance is the total absence of restrictions when it comes to employment. You may work as many hours as you wish at any job without it affecting your payment. This is extremely important to many Carers as it allows them to manage their employment commitments while also providing care for their family members.
Carer Allowance Explained
To thousands of Australia’s carers, the Carer Allowance of $159.60 every two weeks serves as a token recognition of their work in the care economy. While it will not cover most of your caring expenses, every bit will help when you are trying to manage your care duties. If you are in doubt about your eligibility, you may as well make a claim as it will not hurt you. Centrelink will evaluate your claim, and it will cost you nothing to make the application. For the best advice about your situation, refer to the Services Australia website or consult with Centrelink directly.
