The rules for Carer Payment in Australia outline the eligibility criteria, payment rates, and ongoing requirements for individuals receiving this income support payment. Here are some key rules associated with Carer Payment:
Care needs
You must be providing constant care in the home of 1 of the following:
- someone who has a severe disability or severe illness
- someone who is frail and aged
- 2 to 4 children younger than 16 whose needs equal 1 child with severe needs
- 1 or 2 children younger than 16 and 1 adult whose needs equal 1 child with severe needs.
Transfer from Wife Pension
There are different rules if you transferred to Carer Payment on 20 March 2020 because you were getting both wife Pension and payment level Carer Allowance.
You’ll keep getting Carer Payment as long as there’s no break in your eligibility for payment level Carer Allowance. You must also either:
- continue to meet the rules for Carer Allowance
- get payment level Carer Allowance for another person you provide care for.
Rules for the person 16 or older getting care
A care receiver 16 or older must meet these rules for you to get Carer Payment. The person getting care must meet all of the following:
- score high enough on the Adult Disability Assessment Determination 2018 (ADAT)
- have an illness or disability likely to last at least 6 months, or have a terminal illness
- need constant care in their home, your home or in hospital.
The ADAT has questions both the carer and treating health professional must answer. You may also qualify if the person you provide care for meets a lower ADAT score and has either:
- a dependent child younger than 6
- a dependent child between 6 and 16 that they get Carer Allowance for.
Rules for a child younger than 16 getting care
A child younger than 16 must meet these rules for their carer to be eligible for Carer Payment. The child getting care must meet all the following:
- have a score high enough on the Disability Care Load Assessment (Child) Determination 2020 (DCLAD)
- have an illness or disability likely to last at least 6 months, or have a terminal illness
- need care in their home or in a hospital.
The DCLAD has questions both the carer and treating health professional must answer. Even if the person getting care has lower care needs we may pay Carer Payment for either:
- 2 to 4 children younger than 16 whose needs equal 1 child with severe needs
- 1 or 2 children younger than 16 and 1 adult whose needs equal 1 child with severe needs.
Children with short-term or episodic conditions
Centrelink can pay Carer Payment to the carer of a child younger than 16 who needs either:
- a lot of care for a short time
- care on an episodic basis for 3 to 6 months.
A short-term condition is likely to be a one-off and last for at least 3 months. An episodic condition is likely to happen from time to time.
Exchanged care
Centrelink considers care to be ‘exchanged care’ in circumstances where all of the following apply:
- you have 2 or more children with a severe illness or severe disability who need a lot of care
- the other parent isn’t your partner
- you exchange the care of the children with the other parent
- both parents give a lot of care to 1 of the children every day and you have a current parenting plan or parenting order stating your caring arrangements.
These are some rules associated with Carer Payment, and there may be additional requirements or exemptions depending on individual circumstances. It’s advisable to visit the official website of Services Australia or contact them directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the specific rules and obligations for Carer Payment based on your situation.