How many hours can I work on Carer Payment?

The short answer

You can work up to 100 hours over a four week period while receiving Carer Payment. This replaced the old rule of 25 hours per week from 20 March 2025. Study, volunteering and travel time no longer count towards the limit. If you go over, your payment is suspended rather than cancelled, and the income test still applies.

Sources
Social Security Act 1991 (Cth)
Services Australia, Working while you get Carer Payment
Department of Social Services, Removing barriers to employment for Carer Payment recipients

The 100 hour rule

Carer Payment is paid under the Social Security Act 1991 to people whose caring role stops them working substantially. The participation limit is now 100 hours of paid work over a four week settlement period. Unlike the old 25 hour weekly rule, it does not matter how the hours fall within those four weeks, so you could work more in one week and less in another. The change was legislated in 2024 and started on 20 March 2025. It followed feedback that the weekly limit locked carers out of shift work and casual roles. Services Australia measures the hours you report, so keep accurate records of your rostered and actual hours.

What counts and what does not

Only paid work, including self employment, counts towards the 100 hours. Under the new rules, education and training, volunteering and travel time to and from work are excluded from the participation limit, which is a significant change from the previous approach where these activities were counted. This matters most for carers in regional areas with long commutes and for carers studying part time. Income from your work still counts under the pension income test, so a well paid job could reduce your payment even if you are under 100 hours. Both limits operate together: the hours rule and the income test.

If you exceed the limit

If you work more than 100 hours in a four week period, or your income stays above the income test cut off, Carer Payment can now be suspended for up to six months instead of being cancelled. If your hours or income drop back within the limits during that time, payment can be restored without a new claim. This suspension approach is designed to let carers try extra work without losing everything. You also have temporary cessation of care days each year, which can be used flexibly when you need time away from caring. Report your hours and income on time through your Centrelink online account to avoid overpayments.

Practical tips for working carers

Keep a simple log of hours worked each week, including any extra shifts, so you can see how the four week total is tracking before it becomes a problem. If your employer offers a short burst of extra work, check whether it fits within the remaining hours for the current period. Tell Services Australia if your care arrangements change, for example if the person you care for goes into respite or hospital, because separate rules apply to those absences. If you are unsure whether something counts as paid work, ask before you start rather than after. Carer support organisations in each state can also help you plan a return to work while keeping your payment.

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