One of the most common Centrelink questions I receive this time of year has to do with the Carer Supplement payments…
who qualifies for it, how much will it be and when is it paid?
$600 Carer Supplement
From today, more than 500,000 carers across Australia will receive a $600 Carer Supplement, as part of the Australian Government’s Secure and Sustainable Pension Reform.
The annual $600 Supplement will be paid to people who receive:
- Carer Payment;
- both Wife Pension and Carer Allowance;
- both Department of Veterans’ Affairs Partner Service Pension and Carer Allowance; and
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs Carer Service pension.
The payment will also be provided to recipients of Carer Allowance for each person they care for.
This means that if a person is in receipt of Carer Allowance and Carer Payment (or Wife Pension, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Service Pension or Carer Service pension) they will qualify for two Carer Supplement payments, with an additional payment for each extra person they care for.
Most Carer Supplement payments will be paid between Thursday 1 July and Wednesday 14 July.
$1,000 Child Disability Assistance Payment
Around 135,000 carers who receive Carer Allowance (child) will also be paid the annual $1000 Child Disability Assistance Payment from 1 July for each child they care for.
Article by Christie Lewis
Christie is Practice Manager at Alan Lewis Accountants . Besides accounting, her passion is for all things small business (and blogging, of course). You can contact Christie directly at christie@lewistaxation.com.au.
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
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do we get it this year 2011??
The carer supplement (which began in 2009) is an ongoing thing. As long as you qualify for an eligible carer benefit at 1 July, you will receive the Carer Supplement in 2011.
Hi there – I receive carer payment and allowance but often don’t get a payment due to my partner (just) exceeding the gross income amount allowable each fortnight. I got all the supplements last year but am worried about this year after reading a post elsewhere that if you go over the income threshold (and don’t get a payment that fortnight) you won’t get the supplement? Is that the case? I do not ever earn any income but my partner does….will we still get the supplements?
Thanks
Hi Charlie,
This is a question best answered by Centrelink staff, though I suspect that the information you read is correct. According to the current Social Security Act (Part 2.19B):
This suggests to me that you would need to receive a payment of carer allowance/payment for the fortnight which includes 1 July. If you’re concerned about how this could affect you this year, I’d suggest you give Centrelink a call and talk with someone there about your personal situation. Hopefully, they should be able to shed more light on this for you.
Hi mate im on my centerlink page, when I login to see my account profile page its got my normal income I get for July 4th but there issent anything going in about the supplement payment for July 1st I’m on career payment and allowance, can you please tell me why? or does it come up just before they put the money through to my account thanks
Hi Sam,
The criteria is that you qualify for a payment in the fortnight which includes 1st July – this doesn’t necessarily mean that the payment will be made on 1st July.
Last year the Carer Supplement payments were spread out over a period of several weeks. Normally, you should expect to have it paid by mid-July (often earlier).
I hope that helps.
Yeah thanks for that it help me. keep up the good work…
I’m on the disability support pension will i receive the $600 too or only my carer?