Support for carers

Carer Allowance

Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment that may be available to parents or carers who provide additional daily care and attention for an adult or child with a disability or medical condition, or for an adult who is frail aged. Carer Allowance is not asset or income-tested, is not taxable and can be paid in addition to wages, Carer Payment or any other Centrelink services payments.
Carers who do not live with an adult care receiver may be eligible for Carer Allowance, as long as they provide at least 20 hours’ personal care a week.

The person being cared for must have their disability or medical condition assessed by their treating health professional. In some circumstances, medical reviews will be required every two years.

Carer Allowance may be automatically paid where the child being cared for is under 16 and the carer has qualified for Carer Payment for that child.

You can start the claim process over the phone by contacting the Department of Human Services.

Phone: 13 27 17 (Centrelink services)

Website: Department of Human Services at www.humanservices.gov.au/carers

Carer Payment

In situations where an adult or child needs full-time care, a carer may qualify for income support in the form of Carer Payment. The payment is available to carers who are unable to support themselves through substantial paid employment or from other income sources (including a partner’s income) because they personally provide constant care to a person with a severe disability or severe medical condition. Carer Payment can be paid to more than one carer for the same care receiver if the care receiver has sufficiently high care needs and each carer personally provides constant care.
The carer does not have to live with the care receiver to qualify for Carer Payment. However, care must be provided in the care receiver’s home and both the carer and the care receiver must be Australian residents living in Australia. Carer Payment is income and assets-tested. If the care receiver is not receiving an Australian Government income support payment, they must also meet the receiver income and assets test.

Care receivers must have their disability or medical condition assessed by a treating health professional in terms of a functional assessment of their care needs. The carer also must provide details on the impact of the care load as part of the assessment.

Once qualified for Carer Payment, a carer can undertake work, study or training for up to 25 hours a week (including travelling time) without losing their eligibility for Carer Payment. However, any income earned may reduce their payment amount.

Most Carer Payment recipients receive the Pension Supplement (see the Pension Supplement section in Chapter 4 for more information). Carer Payment recipients receive a Pensioner Concession Card. Carers may also be eligible for a number of additional payments such as Rent Assistance or Pensioner Education Supplement.

A carer cannot receive Carer Payment and another income support payment at the same time. The carer should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each payment with the Department of Human Services before deciding which best suits their circumstances.

You can start the claim process over the phone by contacting the Department of Human Services.

Phone: 13 27 17 (Centrelink services)

Website: Department of Human Services at www.humanservices.gov.au/carers

Caring for someone with dementia

About 250,000 Australians have dementia. Dementia is the term used to describe the symptoms of a large group of illnesses which cause a progressive decline in the ability to remember, to think and to learn. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common of these, accounting for around 70 per cent of all dementia. While Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, there are many other causes. Dementia affects the functioning of the brain, often leading to personality changes. Although dementia mainly affects older people, it is not a normal part of ageing.

A person with dementia may find it harder to do previously familiar tasks, such as writing, reading, using numbers or showering.
The Australian Government funds Alzheimer’s Australia to deliver the National Dementia Support Program which provides a range of services and programs, including:

the National Dementia Helpline and referral services
Dementia and Memory Community Centres
early intervention programs, such as the Living with Memory Loss Program
advice, counselling and support services including special needs groups
information and awareness-raising
education and training.

Phone: 1800 100 500 (National Dementia Helpline)

Website: Department of Health and Ageing at www.health.gov.au/dementia
Top of page

Caring for someone with incontinence

National Continence Helpline

The National Continence Helpline is a free information and referral telephone service for people with incontinence and their carers, families and friends. The Helpline is staffed by experienced Continence Nurse Advisers who provide a confidential, professional service for people with incontinence. The Helpline operates from 8 am to 8 pm AEST Monday to Friday, except on public holidays.

Phone: 1800 330 066 (National Continence Helpline)

Information for carers of people with bladder or bowel problems

The booklet Help for people who care for someone with bladder or bowel problems has been designed to help carers manage the incontinence of the people they care for. The booklet offers practical advice and guidance. You can download a copy from the website below, or obtain one from the National Continence Helpline.

Phone: 1800 330 066 (National Continence Helpline)

Website: Department of Health and Ageing at www.bladderbowel.gov.au

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres link you to a wide range of community, aged care and support services available locally or anywhere in Australia. Centres provide information about services for older people, people with disabilities, and their carers. Centres also assist carers with options to take a break through short-term and emergency respite services.
Centres have local knowledge about:

the range of services available, including respite, and how to access them
who may receive services
any costs associated with receiving services
aged care assessment services for access to a range of community aged care packages, or entry into aged care homes.

Phone: 1800 052 222 (Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres)

1800 059 059 (Emergency respite support outside standard business hours)

Website: Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres at www.commcarelink.health.gov.au

Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Services

Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Services (DBMAS) have been established in each state and territory. DBMAS aim to improve the quality of life of people with dementia and their carers where the behaviour of the person with dementia affects their care. DBMAS provides residential and community care staff and family carers with clinical support, mentoring and behaviour management advice.

Phone: 1800 699 799 (Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Services National Helpline)

National Carer Counselling Program

The National Carer Counselling Program (NCCP) provides short-term counselling, emotional and psychological support services for carers in need of this support, to reduce their stress and improve coping skills. Information, advice and referral are also available.

Phone: 1800 242 636 (The Network of Carer Associations)

Website: Carers Australia at www.carersaustralia.com.au

News for Carers newsletter

This newsletter provides information for people who are caring for an adult or child with a disability or severe medical condition, or a frail aged person.
Phone: 13 27 17 (Centrelink services)

Website: Department of Human Services at www.humanservices.gov.au/carers

Respite for carers

A range of respite care services is available for carers, including a network of day care centres and respite care services provided in a person’s home.
There are Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres in metropolitan, rural and remote areas. These provide advice on the different types of respite care available, and can help arrange care for a few hours or even a few days. These centres can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if you have an emergency need for respite.

Short-term respite care provided by an aged care home is also available. It may be used on a planned or emergency basis to help with carer stress, illness, holidays or any other time when your carer is unable to help out. You can also seek respite care for yourself.

Phone: 1800 052 222 (Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres)
1800 059 059 (Emergency respite support outside standard business hours)

Websites: Aged Care Australia at www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres at www.commcarelink.health.gov.au
Top of page

prev page| TOC |next page