Carer Payment vs Carer Allowance: Eligibility, Rates & Key Differences
Understand the difference between Carer Payment and Carer Allowance in Australia. Compare eligibility criteria, payment rates, and income tests for both carer support payments in 2025–26.
Carer Payment vs Carer Allowance: what is the difference?
Carer Payment and Carer Allowance are two separate Centrelink payments for people who provide care to someone with a disability, severe medical condition, or who is frail aged. Despite the similar names, they serve very different purposes and have different eligibility requirements. **Carer Payment** is an income support payment — it replaces your regular income when you are unable to work because of your caring responsibilities. It is paid at the same rate as the Age Pension (approximately $1,116.30 per fortnight for singles in 2025–26 plus supplements) and is subject to income and assets tests. To receive Carer Payment, you must be providing constant care — defined as personally providing care for a significant period each day in the home of the person you are caring for. **Carer Allowance** is a supplementary payment — it recognises the additional daily costs of caring but does not replace your income. It is paid at a flat rate of $153.00 per fortnight (2025–26) regardless of your income or assets. You can receive Carer Allowance while working full-time, receiving another Centrelink payment, or receiving Carer Payment. Critically, you can receive both payments simultaneously. Many carers receive Carer Payment as their primary income support plus Carer Allowance on top. However, you can also receive Carer Allowance alone if you do not meet the stricter Carer Payment criteria.
Carer Payment eligibility and rates
Carer Payment has strict eligibility criteria because it is a full income support payment: **Care requirements:** - You must provide constant care to someone with a severe disability or medical condition, or who is frail aged - The care must be provided in a private home (yours or the care receiver's) - The care receiver must need care for at least 6 months or for the rest of their life - You cannot work, study, or undertake training for more than 25 hours per week (including travel time) **Assessment:** - For adults: the care receiver must score sufficiently on the Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT) - For children: the care receiver must score sufficiently on the Disability Care Load Assessment (DCLAD) or the List of Recognised Disabilities **Rates (2025–26):** - Single: approximately $1,144.40 per fortnight (including pension supplement and energy supplement) - Partnered (each): approximately $863.20 per fortnight **Income test:** Same as the Age Pension. Income free area of $204 per fortnight (single) or $360 per fortnight (couple combined). Above the free area, payment reduces by 50 cents per dollar. **Assets test:** Same thresholds as the Age Pension. Full rate up to $301,750 (single homeowner) or $543,750 (single non-homeowner). You can take up to 63 temporary cessation of care days per calendar year without losing your payment — this allows for respite, hospital stays, or holidays.
Carer Allowance eligibility and rates
Carer Allowance has broader eligibility because it is a supplement, not an income replacement: **Care requirements:** - You must provide daily care and attention to someone with a disability, medical condition, or who is frail aged - The care receiver does not need to score as highly on the assessment tools as for Carer Payment - You can be working full-time and still qualify - You do not need to live with the care receiver (for adult care receivers) **Assessment:** - For adults: the care receiver must score at least 8 on the Adult Disability Assessment Determination (previously the ADAT). The threshold is lower than for Carer Payment. - For children under 16: the child must have a disability or medical condition and you must complete a carer assessment. The Disability Care Load Assessment (DCLAD) questionnaire is used, along with a Treating Health Professional (THP) report. **Rate:** $153.00 per fortnight (flat rate, not income or asset tested) **Annual supplement:** Carer Allowance recipients also receive the Carer Supplement of $600 per year (paid in July each year) for each person they care for who qualifies for Carer Allowance. **No income or assets test:** Unlike Carer Payment, Carer Allowance has no income or assets test. However, since 20 September 2018, you must have an adjusted taxable income below $250,000 per year to receive Carer Allowance. This very high threshold means the vast majority of carers qualify. You can receive Carer Allowance for up to two adults and any number of children under 16 who meet the criteria.
Can you receive both Carer Payment and Carer Allowance?
Yes — you can receive both Carer Payment and Carer Allowance at the same time if you meet the eligibility criteria for both. In fact, most Carer Payment recipients also receive Carer Allowance. Here is how the payments work together: **Scenario 1 — Full-time carer, not working:** You provide constant care and cannot work more than 25 hours per week. You receive Carer Payment ($1,144.40/fortnight) plus Carer Allowance ($153.00/fortnight) = approximately $1,297.40 per fortnight total, plus Rent Assistance if applicable. **Scenario 2 — Working carer:** You work 30 hours per week but still provide daily care. You do not qualify for Carer Payment (over 25 hours work) but you qualify for Carer Allowance ($153.00/fortnight). If your income is below $250,000/year, you receive the full Carer Allowance. **Scenario 3 — Caring for multiple people:** You provide constant care to your partner (qualifying for Carer Payment) and also provide daily care to your elderly parent. You can receive Carer Payment for your partner plus Carer Allowance for both your partner and your parent (up to $306.00/fortnight in Carer Allowance). **Scenario 4 — Transitioning between payments:** If you start working more than 25 hours per week, you lose Carer Payment but can keep Carer Allowance. The Carer Allowance continues without interruption. If you receive Carer Payment, you also automatically receive a Pensioner Concession Card, which provides discounts on medicines, utilities, and transport.
How to apply for Carer Payment and Carer Allowance
You can apply for both payments simultaneously through a single online claim on myGov linked to Centrelink. Centrelink will assess your eligibility for both based on the information and evidence you provide. **What you need for the claim:** - Details about the person you care for (name, date of birth, condition) - Medical evidence of the care receiver's condition — a report from their treating doctor or specialist - The relevant assessment questionnaire completed (you will be guided through this online) - Your income and asset details (for Carer Payment assessment) - A Treating Health Professional (THP) report — Centrelink will provide the form for the care receiver's doctor to complete **Processing time:** Carer Payment and Carer Allowance claims typically take 6–10 weeks to process. The THP report is often the bottleneck — book the appointment with the care receiver's doctor early. **Backdating:** If approved, Carer Allowance can be backdated up to 12 weeks from the date of claim. Carer Payment is generally paid from the date of claim or the date you became eligible, whichever is later. **Reviews:** Both payments are subject to periodic reviews where Centrelink reassesses the care receiver's condition and your caring arrangements. You will be notified in advance of any review. **If the care receiver passes away:** Carer Payment continues for 14 weeks after the death of the care receiver (the bereavement period). Carer Allowance also continues during this period. This gives you time to adjust and apply for alternative payments if needed.
Try these free tools
Official resources
General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
Related articles
Detailed comparison of Carer Allowance and Carer Payment in 2026. Understand the differences in eligibility, payment rates, income tests, and which one (or both) you should claim.
Carer Payment vs Carer Allowance: What's the Difference?Understand the differences between Carer Payment and Carer Allowance in Australia, including rates, eligibility, income tests, and whether you can receive both at the same time.
Carer Payment Eligibility 2026: Who Qualifies & How Much You GetComplete guide to Carer Payment eligibility in 2026, including qualifying conditions, care requirements, payment rates, income and assets tests, and how to apply.