How Carelink Payment Works and What It Covers
What Carelink Payment Is
Carelink Payment is a regular payment from the Australian government to people who are unable to work because they are caring full-time for someone with a disability, severe illness, or terminal condition. The payment goes to the carer—the person doing the caring—not to the person being cared for. It is separate from disability support payments and is meant to replace lost income when caregiving becomes a full-time job.
The payment is administered by Services Australia (the same organisation that handles Centrelink payments). It is not a one-time grant or a reimbursement for expenses; it is an ongoing fortnightly payment, similar to unemployment or disability benefits. The amount you receive depends on your age, whether you have dependent children, and your personal circumstances.
Key Takeaways
- Carelink Payment is a fortnightly payment to people who provide full-time unpaid care for someone with a disability or severe illness, and you must meet work and income tests to receive it.
- You can work up to 25 hours per week and still receive the payment, but earning over the income threshold will reduce or stop your payment.
- The person you care for must meet specific disability or medical criteria, and you will need to provide medical evidence from their doctor or specialist.
- You apply through Services Australia online, by phone, or in person, and the assessment process usually takes several weeks.
- If your circumstances change—such as the person you care for moving into residential care—you must report it, as it may affect your payment.
Who Can Receive Carelink Payment
To receive Carelink Payment, you must be at least 16 years old and provide constant care for someone who meets the disability or medical criteria. "Constant care" means you are the primary carer and spend a significant portion of your time on caregiving tasks—there is no exact hour requirement, but you must be unable to work full-time because of your caring responsibilities.
You must also pass a work test: you can work up to 25 hours per week and still receive the payment, but working more than that usually disqualifies you. There is also an income test. If you earn over a certain amount per fortnight (the threshold changes each year), your payment will reduce or stop. Services Australia will tell you the exact threshold when you apply.
You cannot receive Carelink Payment if you are already receiving certain other payments, such as JobSeeker Payment or the Disability Support Pension. However, you may be able to receive it alongside other payments depending on your situation—Services Australia can advise you on this.
What the Person You Care For Must Have
The person you care for must have a disability, severe illness, or terminal condition that requires ongoing support. This is not limited to physical disability; it can include intellectual disability, mental illness, acquired brain injury, or chronic health conditions. The key is that they need regular assistance with daily living tasks or supervision due to their condition.
Services Australia will ask for medical evidence. This usually means a report from the person's doctor, specialist, or other health professional that describes their condition, how it affects their daily functioning, and why they need care. The report does not need to be in a specific form, but it must be detailed enough for Services Australia to assess whether the criteria are met.
The person you care for does not need to be receiving a disability payment themselves. They simply need to have a condition that requires the level of care you are providing.
How to Apply for Carelink Payment
You apply through Services Australia. You can apply online through your myGov account (if you have one set up), by phone on 13 27 17, or in person at a Services Australia office. The online method is usually fastest, but phone and in-person options are available if you need support.
When you apply, you will need to provide personal details, information about the person you care for, proof of your income (if you are working), and medical evidence about the person's condition. Services Australia will give you a list of documents to gather before you start. Having these ready speeds up the process.
After you submit your application, Services Australia will assess it. This usually takes several weeks. They may contact you or the person you care for's doctor if they need more information. You can check the status of your application through myGov or by calling Services Australia.
How Much You Receive and When Payments Arrive
The payment amount varies depending on your age, whether you have dependent children, and your personal circumstances. As of 2024, the base rate for a single carer under age 60 is different from the rate for a carer aged 60 or over, and rates are higher if you have dependent children. Services Australia publishes current rates on its website, and you can also ask when you apply.
Payments are made fortnightly into your bank account. The payment day depends on your circumstances and Services Australia's payment schedule, but you will be told the exact date when your payment is approved. If you need the money urgently while your application is being assessed, you can ask Services Australia about advance payments in some cases.
The payment amount is adjusted twice a year (in March and September) to keep pace with inflation. You do not need to do anything for this adjustment; it happens automatically.
What Happens If Your Circumstances Change
You must report changes to Services Australia because they may affect your payment. Changes include: the person you care for moving into residential care or hospital, you starting or stopping work, your income increasing or decreasing, the person you care for's condition improving, or you ceasing to be their primary carer.
If you do not report changes, Services Australia may overpay you, and you could be asked to repay the money. Reporting is straightforward—you can do it online through myGov, by phone, or in person. Services Australia will tell you how the change affects your payment.
If the person you care for moves into permanent residential care (such as a nursing home or disability group home), your Carelink Payment will usually stop, because they no longer need your full-time unpaid care. However, if they are in temporary respite care or hospital, your payment may continue.
Other Support Available to Carers
Carelink Payment is one form of support, but other programs exist for people in caring roles. The Carer Allowance is a separate payment for people who provide care but do not meet the full-time work test for Carelink Payment; you can receive both at the same time. Carer Respite Allowance is a one-off annual payment to help you take a break from caring.
You may also be may have access to to concessions on utilities, council rates, or public transport in your state, and some employers offer carer leave or flexible work arrangements. Services Australia can point you toward state-based support, and you can also contact Carers Australia or your state's carer support organisation for information about services in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive Carelink Payment if the person I care for is my adult child?
Yes. The person you care for can be any age—a child, adult, or older person. What matters is that they have a disability or medical condition requiring full-time care and that you are their primary carer.
What if I work part-time and my hours vary week to week?
Services Australia looks at your average hours over a period of time, not individual weeks. As long as your average is 25 hours per week or less, you can still receive the payment. If your hours regularly exceed 25 per week, your payment will reduce or stop. Tell Services Australia if your hours change significantly.
Do I have to be related to the person I care for?
No. You do not have to be a family member. You can receive Carelink Payment for caring for a friend, neighbour, or anyone else, as long as you are their primary carer and meet the other criteria.
What happens if the person I care for's condition improves?
If their condition improves and they no longer need full-time care, you must report this to Services Australia. Your payment may reduce or stop. However, if they still need care but less of it, you may be able to continue receiving the payment—Services Australia will reassess your situation.
Can I appeal if my application is rejected?
Yes. If Services Australia rejects your application, you can ask for a review. You have 13 weeks from the date of the decision to request a review. Services Australia will explain the reasons for the rejection and tell you how to request a review when they notify you of the decision.