How to Get Paid by the Government to Take Care of a Family Member in Australia

Many Australians find themselves stepping in to care for an aging parent, a disabled partner, or a chronically ill child. It’s emotional, exhausting, and often expensive. But here’s the thing: the government does pay people to care for family members. You don’t have to choose between your job and your loved one’s well-being. In Australia, there are real programs designed to support you - financially and emotionally.

Carer Allowance: The Most Common Payment

The most straightforward way to get paid is through Carer Allowance. This is a fortnightly payment from Services Australia, not a wage, but it’s designed to help cover the extra costs of caring for someone with a disability, medical condition, or who is elderly and needs daily support. You don’t need to be related to the person you’re caring for - but in most cases, you are.

To qualify, the person you care for must be receiving one of these payments:

• Disability Support Pension
• Age Pension (if under 66 and receiving it due to disability)
• Veteran’s Affairs payment for severe disability
• Child Disability Allowance (for children under 16)

You also need to be providing daily care for at least six months. That means helping with things like bathing, dressing, feeding, managing medications, or supervising someone who can’t be left alone. The care doesn’t have to be full-time, but it must be substantial. Many people think they need to quit their job to qualify - you don’t. You can work part-time and still get the payment.

As of 2026, Carer Allowance is $156.20 per fortnight. It’s not a lot, but it helps with groceries, transport, or paying for respite care so you can take a break.

Carer Payment: For Those Who Can’t Work

If you’ve had to stop working entirely because your caring responsibilities are too demanding, you might qualify for Carer Payment. This is a higher payment - similar to the Age Pension - and it’s meant for people who can’t support themselves through employment.

You can get Carer Payment if:

• You care for someone who gets Disability Support Pension or a similar benefit
• You’re providing care for at least 35 hours a week
• You’re unable to work more than 25 hours a week due to your caring duties

As of 2026, Carer Payment is $1,017.60 per fortnight for a single person. That’s close to the minimum wage, and it can be life-changing for families who’ve had to give up income to care for someone.

Here’s the catch: you must meet income and assets tests. If you have too much in savings or own multiple properties, you might not qualify. But most families don’t - and many don’t even realize they’re eligible.

What Counts as Care?

Some people think you have to be doing medical tasks to qualify. That’s not true. You don’t need to be a nurse. If you help someone with:

• Getting out of bed or into the shower
• Preparing meals because they can’t do it themselves
• Managing their medications
• Driving them to appointments
• Supervising them because they get confused or wander
• Helping them use the toilet or change incontinence pads

…then you’re doing care work. And that work has value. Services Australia doesn’t require proof like a logbook - but keeping notes helps if they ask questions later.

How to Apply

Applying is easier than most people think. You don’t need a lawyer or a complex form. Go to servicesaustralia.gov.au and search for “Carer Allowance” or “Carer Payment.” You’ll find a simple online application.

You’ll need:

• The person’s Medicare number
• Proof of their payment (like a Centrelink statement)
• Your own bank account details
• Your contact information

There’s no waiting period. Once you submit, Services Australia will contact the person you’re caring for to confirm your role. That’s it. No home visits. No interviews. Just a quick verification.

Processing usually takes 4-6 weeks. If approved, payments are backdated to the day you applied. So if you’ve been caring for six months and just applied, you’ll get back pay for the whole time.

Other Support You Might Not Know About

Getting paid is just one part. There’s more help available:

• Respite Care: Up to 63 days per year of free temporary care so you can rest, go on holiday, or attend to your own needs. This is often overlooked.
• Home Care Packages: If the person you care for is over 65, they might qualify for government-funded home care services - cleaning, meals, nursing visits. You don’t have to manage it yourself.
• Carer Gateway: A free service offering counselling, training, and support groups. You can book a free session with a carer support worker - no cost, no waiting list.
• Income Tax Deductions: You can claim certain care-related expenses as tax deductions. Things like special equipment, transport, or home modifications.

Common Mistakes People Make

Many families miss out because they assume they don’t qualify. Here are the top three mistakes:

1. Thinking you need to be the main caregiver - You can share care with siblings and still qualify. Services Australia doesn’t care how many people help, as long as you’re providing regular care.
2. Waiting until you’re broke - Apply as soon as you start caring. You can get back payments for up to 12 months.
3. Believing you have to quit your job - You can work part-time and still get Carer Allowance. Even full-time work is possible if you’re not doing more than 25 hours a week of care.

One woman in Sydney, 68, cared for her husband with advanced dementia for two years. She kept working part-time as a receptionist. She applied for Carer Allowance, got approved, and received $7,500 in back payments. That money paid for home modifications, a new wheelchair, and two months of respite care. She didn’t lose her job. She just got the support she deserved.

What If You’re Not Eligible?

Not everyone qualifies. If the person you care for doesn’t get any government payments, you might still be able to access help through:

• NDIS - If the person has a permanent disability under 65, they might be eligible for NDIS funding. You can be paid directly as their support worker.
• State-based programs - New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland have small grants for carers. Check your state’s carer support website.
• Charities - Organizations like Carers Australia offer emergency grants for things like utility bills or medical supplies.

Don’t give up. Even if you don’t get cash, you might get free training, counselling, or equipment.

Final Thought

Caring for a family member isn’t charity. It’s essential work. The government knows that. You’re not asking for a handout - you’re claiming what’s already available. Thousands of Australians get paid to care every month. There’s no shame in it. There’s no paperwork nightmare. And there’s no reason you shouldn’t be one of them.