Carer Payment vs Carer Allowance: the difference

The short answer

Carer Payment and Carer Allowance are two different payments from Services Australia under the Social Security Act 1991. Carer Payment is an income support payment for people who cannot work much because of their caring role. Carer Allowance is a smaller supplementary payment for people who give daily care. You can receive one, the other, or both if you qualify.

Sources
Services Australia, Carer Payment
Services Australia, Carer Allowance
Social Security Act 1991

Carer Payment

Carer Payment is income support for people who give constant care to someone with a severe disability or medical condition, or who is frail aged. Because it is a main income support payment, it is means tested through both an income test and an assets test, and it is paid at a rate similar to other pensions. It is intended for carers whose caring role stops them from supporting themselves through work.

Carer Allowance

Carer Allowance is a supplementary fortnightly payment for people who provide daily care and attention at home. It is not income support, so it is paid on top of most other payments or wages. It has no assets test, but your family's adjusted taxable income must be under a set limit. It is a smaller amount than Carer Payment.

Which applies to you

The two payments answer different questions. Carer Payment asks whether caring stops you from earning a living. Carer Allowance asks whether you give daily care. Many carers qualify for only one, and some qualify for both. Check the current rules and rates with Services Australia.

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