Carer Allowance Eligibility Centrelink provides Carer Allowance for parents or carers of children and adults with a disability. The payment of Carer Allowance is free of income or assets tests and is not taxable. Carer Allowance for carers of adults You may get Carer Allowance if you look after an adult who requires a lot of additional care in their own home because of their disability. Medical eligibility for Carer Allowance will be measured by the Adult Disability Assessment Tool. You can also continue to get Carer Allowance for up to 63 days a year if the adult is away for respite care as well as 63 days if the person is temporarily in hospital. What is the Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT)? The ADAT is the way Centrelink will assess medical eligibility for Carer Payment. This tool will measure the functional ability of the person receiving care. How do you apply for Carer Allowance? You can get a claim form from any Centrelink office, or obtain one from a Call Centre on 13 2717. You may not be interviewed about your claim but will be asked to provide medical evidence about yourself and the person being cared for. Telephone Lodgements In recognition of the fact that people with caring responsibilities often have difficulty lodging claims for income support payments and compiling the necessary medical information to support their claim in a short period of time, claims for Carer Allowance can be lodged over the telephone. People can telephone Centrelink to register their intention to claim Carer Allowance. Provided a formal claim is lodged within 14 days from the date of the initial contact payments can be backdated (extensions can be granted where needed). Carer Allowance claims can also be lodged by fax.

Please visit the Centrelink site for more details