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Carer Payment at Age 18

If you are 18 years old and providing constant care to someone with a severe disability or medical condition, you may be eligible for Carer Payment. This page explains how Carer Payment applies at your age, including interactions with other payments.

Last verified: 20 March 2026

Carer Payment Rates at Age 18 (2025-26)

PaymentSingle rate/fnCouple rate/fn (each)
Carer Payment$1,116.30$841.40
Carer Allowance (on top)$153.00$153.00
Total$1,269.30$994.40

Carer Allowance is not income or asset tested. Rates current from 20 March 2026.

Carer Payment at Age 18

  • *At age 18, you are eligible for Carer Payment if you meet the constant care test and income/asset tests.
  • *Carer Payment is an income support payment — you generally cannot receive it alongside another income support payment (e.g., JobSeeker, Age Pension).
  • *At 18, you may also be eligible for Youth Allowance or JobSeeker Payment. If you are a young carer, Carer Payment is usually more beneficial as it pays at the pension rate ($1,116.30/fn single) rather than the allowance rate.
  • *Young carers (under 25) may face unique challenges balancing care responsibilities with education and employment. Additional support may be available through young carer programs and NDIS.

Work & Study Limits

At 18, you may want to study while caring. You can undertake study or training while on Carer Payment, but it must not prevent you from providing constant care. There is no specific study hours limit, but if your study significantly reduces your availability to provide care, Centrelink may review your eligibility. You can also work up to 25 hours per week (including travel time). Balancing work, study, and young carer responsibilities can be challenging — young carer support services may help.

Income Test

Singles can earn up to $204 per fortnight before Carer Payment is reduced. Above that, your payment reduces by 50 cents for every dollar earned. Couples have a combined income free area of $360 per fortnight. Carer Allowance is NOT affected by income.

Assets Test

Single homeowners can have up to $314,000 in assets. Single non-homeowners: $566,000. Couple homeowners: $470,000 combined. Couple non-homeowners: $722,000 combined. Above these limits, Carer Payment reduces by $3 per fortnight for every $1,000 of excess assets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Carer Payment at age 18?
Yes. Carer Payment is available to carers aged 16 and over (or 18+ in most practical cases). At 18, you need to provide constant care to someone with a severe disability or medical condition, and meet income and asset tests. The single rate is $1,116.30 per fortnight.
Can I work at 18 while on Carer Payment?
Yes. You can work up to 25 hours per week (including travel time) and still receive Carer Payment, as long as you continue providing constant care. Your employment income is assessed under the income test — you can earn up to $204/fn before your payment is reduced (50c per dollar above).
Can I study at 18 while on Carer Payment?
Yes. You can undertake study or training while on Carer Payment. There is no strict hours limit for study, but it must not prevent you from providing constant care. If Centrelink considers your study commitments too high, they may question your constant care eligibility.
Can I get Carer Payment and JobSeeker at the same time?
No. Carer Payment is an income support payment, so you cannot receive it alongside JobSeeker Payment. You receive whichever is more beneficial — Carer Payment pays at the pension rate ($1,116.30/fn single) which is higher than JobSeeker ($762.70/fn single). You may also receive Carer Allowance ($153.00/fn) on top.
How does Carer Payment affect my super at 18?
Carer Payment itself does not include employer super contributions, which means your super balance may grow more slowly while you are caring. As a young carer, this can have a significant long-term impact. Consider making voluntary super contributions when possible. If you work up to 25 hours per week, your employer will pay super on those wages.

Related tools & calculators

Benefits CheckCarer Payment CalculatorDSP CalculatorIncome & Asset TestAssets Test ThresholdsPayment Rates 2025-26Deeming RatesRent Assistance

This tool provides general information and estimates only based on publicly available data from Services Australia and the Department of Social Services. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Results may not reflect your specific circumstances. Always verify with Services Australia before making decisions about your entitlements.

Sources: Services Australia, Department of Social Services. Rates current from 20 March 2026.