Carer Payment for Adult Children — Who Can Be a Carer?
If you are an adult child providing constant care to your parent who has a severe disability, medical condition, or is frail aged, you can qualify for Carer Payment. This is an increasingly common scenario as Australia's population ages and adult children take on caring responsibilities for their parents.
Last verified: 20 March 2026Eligibility
- *You must be aged 16+ (practically 18+) and providing constant care to your parent
- *Your parent must score highly on the Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT)
- *You must provide care in your parent's home or your parent must live with you
- *Both biological children, step-children, and adopted children qualify
- *Children-in-law (e.g., daughter-in-law, son-in-law) can also qualify
- *Your own income and assets are assessed (not your parent's, unless you live together and share finances)
Carer Payment Rates (2025-26)
| Payment | Single rate/fn | Couple 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.
Live-In Requirements
You must live with your parent or your parent must live with you. If you live separately, you generally do not qualify for Carer Payment (but may qualify for Carer Allowance if you provide daily care). If your parent lives between multiple children, the child providing the majority of care typically qualifies.
Two-Carer Scenarios
If multiple adult children share caring responsibilities for the same parent, only one can receive Carer Payment. Others may receive Carer Allowance ($153.00/fn). If siblings share care equally, one must be nominated as the primary carer. If the care load is genuinely split, consider whether either sibling meets the constant care test individually.
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.
Respite Provisions
You are entitled to 63 days of respite per year where someone else provides the care. During respite, you continue to receive Carer Payment. This can be used for holidays, hospitalisation, or any break from caring. Unused days do not carry over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get Carer Payment for caring for my parent?
Do I have to live with my parent to get Carer Payment?
Can I share caring with my siblings?
What about my career and super?
What if my parent needs to go into a nursing home?
Related tools & calculators
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.