Centrelink’s Carer Payment has to go through a massive increase in 2025, a period when qualifying recipients will get paid anything from $785 to $855 per fortnight. This was termed as an acknowledgment by the government on the role that carers play in assisting those with disabilities, chronic illness, or age-related conditions.
With the increased cost of living affecting numerous Australian households, this increase goes some way in providing much-needed financial relief to our full-time carers.
What Is a Carer Payment?
The Carer Payment is paid fortnightly to give financial support to people who are unable to work full-time because they have to care for someone with a severe medical condition or disability. This payment should not be confused with the Carer Allowance, which complements the payment but does have income limits that affect eligibility; the Carer Payment is specifically tailored as a primary income replacement for those caring full time.
New Payment Rates for 2025
From 2025, the Carer Payment shall be instituted between $785 and $855 a fortnight, according to the individual’s circumstances. The exact amount that a recipient gets may thus be affected by whether he or she is single or a couple and whether he or she receives payments of Energy Supplement or Rent Assistance. These new rates reflect the indexation adjustments and also a policy change introduced to increase the support payments and make them more relevant to the current cost of living.
Who Is Eligible for the Carer Payment?
To be eligible for the Carer Payment, the applicant must provide care on a full-time basis to a person with a qualifying medical condition. Both the carer and the person receiving care need to satisfy residency requirements.
It is income and asset-tested, which means anyone applying for it must be below certain income and assets thresholds to be eligible. These assessments are made by Services Australia, and they may require medical evidence during the application process.
Keep Informed and Applied
Existing beneficiaries need not reapply for the higher rate, as this would be granted automatically. New claimants may lodge their applications through Centrelink-linked myGov accounts. Carers must check their account details and eligibility regularly, as always, to make sure that they receive the right payments without delays.