Carer Payment vs Carer Allowance 2026: What's the Difference?

Understand the difference between Carer Payment and Carer Allowance. Compare March 2026 rates, eligibility, and whether you can get both.

	Carer Payment	Carer Allowance
Fortnightly Rate	$1,144.40/fn (single)	$157.40/fn
Who Is It For	People who provide constant care to someone with a severe disability or medical condition and cannot work more than 25 hours per week.	People who provide daily care and attention to someone with a disability or medical condition, either at home or in a care facility.
Age Requirement	16 or older (under Age Pension age)	16 or older
Income Test	Single: $204/fn free area, reduces by 50c/$1 above that. Same as Age Pension income test.	Carer Allowance itself has no personal income test. However, there is a $250,000 combined income threshold per tax year (above this, not eligible).
Assets Test	Same as Age Pension. Single homeowner: $314,000 (full pension), $686,250 (cut-off).	No assets test applies to Carer Allowance.
Work Requirement	Can work, study, or volunteer up to 25 hours per week. Must still provide constant care.	No limit on hours of work — you can work full time and still receive Carer Allowance.
Extras & Supplements	Energy Supplement $14.10/fn. Pension Supplement $81.60/fn. Pensioner Concession Card. Up to 63 days respite per year.	Can be paid in addition to any other payment (including Carer Payment). Annual $600 Carer Supplement paid in July. Health Care Card for the care receiver.

Carer Payment

Fortnightly Rate: $1,144.40/fn (single)
Who Is It For: People who provide constant care to someone with a severe disability or medical condition and cannot work more than 25 hours per week.
Age Requirement: 16 or older (under Age Pension age)
Income Test: Single: $204/fn free area, reduces by 50c/$1 above that. Same as Age Pension income test.
Assets Test: Same as Age Pension. Single homeowner: $314,000 (full pension), $686,250 (cut-off).
Work Requirement: Can work, study, or volunteer up to 25 hours per week. Must still provide constant care.
Extras & Supplements: Energy Supplement $14.10/fn. Pension Supplement $81.60/fn. Pensioner Concession Card. Up to 63 days respite per year.

Carer Allowance

Fortnightly Rate: $157.40/fn
Who Is It For: People who provide daily care and attention to someone with a disability or medical condition, either at home or in a care facility.
Age Requirement: 16 or older
Income Test: Carer Allowance itself has no personal income test. However, there is a $250,000 combined income threshold per tax year (above this, not eligible).
Assets Test: No assets test applies to Carer Allowance.
Work Requirement: No limit on hours of work — you can work full time and still receive Carer Allowance.
Extras & Supplements: Can be paid in addition to any other payment (including Carer Payment). Annual $600 Carer Supplement paid in July. Health Care Card for the care receiver.

Which one should you choose?

These are not either/or payments — you can receive both at the same time. Carer Payment is a full income-replacement payment ($1,144.40/fn) for people who cannot work substantial hours because they provide constant care. Carer Allowance is a smaller supplement ($157.40/fn) that can be paid on top of any income or other payment, including wages or Carer Payment. If you provide constant care and have limited income, apply for both. If you work full-time but still provide daily care, Carer Allowance is the one to apply for.

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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.