Requirements for Carer Payment in Australia in 2026

Carer Payment is an income-support payment for people who provide constant care to someone with a severe disability, medical condition or who is frail and aged. It is not a reward for caring — it is a means-tested payment that recognises the full-time nature of caring and replaces income a carer cannot earn while providing that care.

The payment is administered by Services Australia through the Centrelink program. Eligibility is assessed against both your own circumstances and those of the person you care for, so the application process involves gathering information from both parties.

What this procedure is and what it is for

Carer Payment is a fortnightly income-support payment available to Australian residents who provide constant care to a person who has a severe disability, a serious medical condition, or who is frail and aged. “Constant care” means you provide care and attention on a daily basis that is substantially more than a normal caring relationship.

The payment applies in three main situations:

• You care for an adult (18 or over) with a disability or serious medical condition
• You care for a child (under 16) with a severe disability or medical condition — in which case you may also be assessed for Carer Allowance
• You care for a person who is frail aged

The responsible official body is Services Australia, specifically the Centrelink program. You can interact with Centrelink online via myGov, by phone on 132 717, or in person at a Services Australia service centre.

Documents required

You will need to provide documents for yourself (the carer) and for the person you care for (the care receiver). Bring originals to any in-person appointment; certified copies are accepted for documents sent by mail.

Documents for the carer (you)

• Proof of identity — Australian passport, Australian driver licence, or Medicare card plus a secondary ID
• Proof of Australian residency status — citizenship certificate, passport or visa grant notice if applicable
• Tax file number (TFN) — you must provide your TFN or apply for one before your claim can be finalised
• Bank account details — BSB and account number for payment
• Income and assets information — recent payslips, bank statements, superannuation account balances, details of any investments or real estate (other than your primary home)
• Details of any other Centrelink payments you currently receive

Documents for the care receiver

• Their tax file number — the care receiver must also provide or consent to the use of their TFN
• Medical evidence — a completed Treating Health Professional (THP) report filled in by their doctor or specialist; the form number is SA332a for adults or SA397 for children
• Details of the care receiver’s income and assets — the care receiver’s finances are also assessed
• Proof of their identity if they are not already known to Centrelink

No apostille or translation is required for Australian documents. Foreign documents (for example, foreign birth certificates for recently arrived residents) must be accompanied by a NAATI-certified English translation.

Steps to complete the procedure

1. Create or access a myGov account at my.gov.au and link it to Centrelink. This is the primary channel for new claims in 2026.
2. Complete the online claim — select “Make a claim” in your Centrelink online account and follow the Carer Payment pathway. The system will tell you exactly which forms and supporting documents are needed for your situation.
3. Obtain the medical evidence form — download the relevant THP report (SA332a for adults, SA397 for children) from servicesaustralia.gov.au and have the care receiver’s treating doctor complete it. Return it within the timeframe Centrelink specifies (usually 14 days from claim submission).
4. Upload or submit supporting documents — documents can be uploaded directly through myGov, posted, or handed in at a service centre. Do not send originals by post.
5. Respond to any further requests — a Centrelink officer may contact you for additional information or to clarify details. Respond promptly to avoid delays.
6. Await the decision — you will be notified of the outcome through your myGov inbox or by letter.

An in-person appointment is not required but is available if you need help with the online claim. Call 132 717 to arrange one. Processing begins from the date you submit your claim online, so submit as soon as possible even if you do not yet have all documents ready — you have time to provide them afterward.

Fees and timelines

• Application fee: None — there is no charge to apply for Carer Payment
• Processing time: Typically 4 to 8 weeks from the date all required information and documents are received; complex cases can take longer
• Payment rate (2026): The maximum fortnightly rate for a single person is approximately $1,064, indexed to CPI twice yearly in March and September; partnered rates are lower
• Payment validity: Carer Payment is an ongoing payment reviewed periodically — there is no fixed expiry, but Services Australia conducts regular reviews and may request updated medical evidence
• Advance payment: Once you have been receiving Carer Payment for at least 3 months you may be eligible to apply for an advance lump sum

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Submitting the claim without the medical evidence form — the THP report is mandatory and the claim cannot be assessed without it. Get the form to the doctor before or immediately after submitting the online claim.
• Not disclosing all assets and income — Centrelink cross-checks with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Omitting a bank account, investment or super balance delays your claim and can result in overpayments you must repay.
• Failing to include the care receiver’s tax file number — without the care receiver’s TFN the claim will stall. If they do not have a TFN, both parties must apply for one through the ATO before the claim can be finalised.
• Sending original documents by post — originals can be lost. Upload via myGov or take originals to a service centre for scanning, then take them home with you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I receive Carer Payment and still work? Yes, but your work must not prevent you from providing the required level of care. As of 2026, you can work, study or volunteer for up to 25 hours per week (including travel time) and remain eligible, provided the care receiver’s needs are still met while you are away.

Does the care receiver need to live with me? Not necessarily. You must provide care on a daily basis, but short-term absences (for example, the care receiver is in hospital) do not automatically cancel the payment. If you and the care receiver live separately, Centrelink will assess the arrangement to confirm the level of care provided.

What happens if the care receiver’s condition improves? You must notify Services Australia of any change in the care receiver’s condition or care needs. If the care receiver no longer meets the threshold, your payment may stop. Failing to report changes can result in a debt.

Can I receive Carer Payment for more than one person? You can receive only one Carer Payment regardless of how many people you care for. However, if you care for two or more adults with disabilities, Services Australia can assess whether the combined care load meets the threshold for a single payment.

Is Carer Payment taxable? Yes. Carer Payment is a taxable income-support payment. Services Australia reports it to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). You should include it in your annual tax return.

What to do next

The most important documents to gather first are your proof of identity, your tax file number, and the treating health professional report for the care receiver — without these three, the claim cannot progress.

Start your claim online at my.gov.au as soon as possible, because your payment start date is generally the date the claim is submitted, not the date it is approved.

Important: Payment rates, income and asset thresholds, and eligibility rules are updated regularly. Always verify current requirements with Services Australia at servicesaustralia.gov.au/carerpayment or by calling Centrelink on 132 717 before you apply.