In Australia, the federal government offers financial support to those providing daily care for a family member who is frail aged, has a disability, or a medical condition. The two primary payments are the Carer Payment and the Carer Allowance, managed through Services Australia. Understanding the difference between these can help you determine the best option for your circumstances.
Carer Payment: Income Support for Full-Time Carers
The Carer Payment is an income support payment, similar to a pension, for people who are unable to work full-time due to their caring responsibilities. This payment is designed for those who provide 'constant care', defined as daily care equivalent to a normal working day.
Eligibility Criteria for Carer Payment
To be eligible for the Carer Payment, both you and your elderly parent must meet several criteria:
- Constant care: You must provide constant care, meaning the daily care needs are substantial.
- Care needs assessment: The person you care for must be assessed by a health professional as meeting a minimum care needs score, based on the Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT).
- Income and Assets Test (You): Your own income and assets must be below certain limits. For a single person, the fortnightly income cut-off point is approximately $2,575.40, while for couples, it is $3,934.00 combined.
- Income and Assets Test (Person cared for): Your parent's income and assets are also assessed. Their yearly income must be less than $140,795 and their assets less than $868,500.
- Residency: Both the carer and the person being cared for must be Australian residents living in Australia.
- Working limitations: You cannot work, volunteer, or study for more than 25 hours per week.
Carer Allowance: A Fortnightly Supplement
The Carer Allowance is a supplementary fortnightly payment designed to help with the extra costs of caring. It is not considered an income replacement and can be received in addition to other payments, including the Age Pension.
Eligibility Criteria for Carer Allowance
To be eligible for the Carer Allowance, you must meet these requirements:
- Daily care: You must provide daily care for someone who needs it due to a disability, medical condition, or is frail aged.
- Higher income threshold: It has a high income test of $250,000 combined adjusted taxable income per year for you and your partner.
- No assets test: There is no assets test for the Carer Allowance.
- Care needs assessment: The person you care for must have their care needs assessed.
- Residency: Both the carer and the person being cared for must be Australian residents living in Australia.
- Can be received with other payments: Unlike the Carer Payment, you can receive the Carer Allowance while working full-time or receiving another income support payment.
Comparison of Carer Payment and Carer Allowance
| Feature | Carer Payment | Carer Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Income replacement for full-time carers. | Supplementary payment for extra costs of caring. |
| Payment Type | Income support (taxable if Age Pension age). | Supplementary payment (not taxable). |
| Means Test | Yes, income and assets test for both carer and person being cared for. | Yes, income test for carer (high threshold). No assets test. |
| Work/Study Limits | Cannot work more than 25 hours per week. | No work hour limits. |
| Can Receive with Age Pension? | No. | Yes. |
| Annual Supplement | Yes, $600 annually. | Yes, $600 annually per eligible person. |
Other Support and Services for Carers
Beyond the fortnightly payments, there are several other support avenues available for carers in Australia:
- Carer Supplement: An annual lump-sum payment of up to $600 paid automatically in July for eligible carers receiving Carer Payment or Carer Allowance.
- Carer Gateway: A government program offering a range of free services, including counselling, peer support, and tailored support packages. These packages can provide practical assistance such as respite care, transport services, and equipment.
- Respite Care: Both planned and emergency respite care are available through services accessed via the Carer Gateway or My Aged Care. Respite care provides a temporary break for the carer.
- Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP): Your parent may be eligible for subsidised in-home services like domestic assistance, personal care, and transport through this program. You can access this via My Aged Care.
- My Aged Care: This is the central point for accessing government-funded aged care services. An assessment through My Aged Care is often the first step in determining the level of care and funding available for your parent.
How to Apply for Carer Payments
The application process for both the Carer Payment and Carer Allowance is managed through Services Australia. Here are the steps to follow:
- Check eligibility: Use the online eligibility checker on the Services Australia website to see if you meet the requirements for either payment.
- Create a myGov account: If you don't have one, create a myGov account and link it to Centrelink.
- Gather supporting documents: This will likely include medical reports from your parent's treating health professional detailing their condition and care needs.
- Submit your claim: Complete and submit the claim online through your myGov account. For complex cases, you can also claim by phone or in person at a Service Centre.
- Assessment: Services Australia will assess your application, which may include reviewing your parent's Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT) score.
Conclusion
Yes, it is possible to get paid for looking after your elderly parents in Australia, but it is not a salaried position. Instead, the government offers financial support through the Carer Payment and Carer Allowance programs. The Carer Payment provides income support for those who cannot work full-time due to extensive caregiving duties, while the Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment to help with the costs of providing daily care. Eligibility for both payments is dependent on both the carer's and the care recipient's circumstances, with different income tests applying. For more information and to begin the application process, visit the Services Australia website or contact the Carer Gateway for broader support services.
