Carer Allowance for a child: 2026 rate, who qualifies, how to claim

By The Jay Way team

Published 24 October 2026 · Checked against official sources 24 October 2026

Carer Allowance is $162.60 each fortnight as at 24 October 2026, and it is a set rate, not worked out from your income. You may be able to get it if you give daily care to a child with disability or a medical condition who needs care for at least 12 months, and your and your partner’s combined adjusted taxable income is under $250,000 a financial year. Services Australia decides, and you claim online through myGov or by phone.

The short version: Carer Allowance has an income test but no assets test. For a child under 16, Services Australia may ask for two child forms: a care needs assessment and a medical report, which the child’s treating doctor completes. If it is granted for a child under 16, your child also gets a Health Care Card, and you may receive the Child Disability Assistance Payment of up to $1,000 each year. If your child’s care needs are lower, you may not get Carer Allowance but may still get a Health Care Card for them.

How much is Carer Allowance?

Carer Allowance is $162.60 each fortnight as at 24 October 2026. The Department of Social Services adjusts the rate on 1 January each year, so check Services Australia for the current figure before you plan around it.

It is a set rate. Your work income won’t change how much you get if you and your partner earn less than $250,000 a year.
Carer Allowance isn’t part of your taxable income.
You can get it for more than one child. Services Australia says you can get Carer Allowance for up to 2 adults and more than one child.

Who can get Carer Allowance for a child?

Both you and the child need to meet some rules.

The rules for you as the carer

You provide daily care and attention to someone who needs it, in their home or your home.
There is no assets test, but there is an income test. Your and your partner’s combined adjusted taxable income must be under $250,000 per financial year, before tax.
You meet the residence rules.

The rules for the child

They need care for at least 12 months, or have a terminal medical condition.
They are assessed as needing care by a medical professional.
They can be cared for in their home or your home.
They meet the residence rules.
There is no income test for the person you care for.

Services Australia assesses both you and your child. The questions during the claim help it decide. If you don’t think you meet the rules, it says there are other payments and supports available.

What else comes with it?

Health Care Card. If you care for someone younger than 16, Services Australia sends you a Health Care Card. It helps with the costs of their medicine and health care. The card is for the child in your care only.

Child Disability Assistance Payment. This is an automatic payment of up to $1,000 each year for each child who qualifies you for Carer Allowance. You don’t claim it. You need to be getting Carer Allowance for a child younger than 16 for a period that includes 1 July. You can’t get it if you only have a Carer Allowance Health Care Card.

What forms are needed for a child?

When you claim, Services Australia may ask for more information and extra forms. Your claim tells you which ones. For a child under 16 the two forms listed are:

Carer Payment and/or Carer Allowance: Care needs assessment (for a child under 16 years)
Carer Payment and Carer Allowance: Medical Report for a child under 16 years

The treating doctor of the person you care for completes the medical form. In some cases Services Australia may be able to use existing medical information it has. Start your claim and it will tell you if it needs an updated medical form.

Questions to ask your child’s doctor: how long the medical report usually takes, what it needs to say about your child’s care needs, and whether any reports your child already has could help.

What should I gather before I claim?

A myGov account linked to Centrelink. If you already have a Customer Reference Number (CRN), you can use it to link. If you don’t, you will need to prove who you are, and Services Australia lists the identity documents it may ask for.
Your and your partner’s income details. The income test uses your combined adjusted taxable income for the financial year.
Notes on the daily care you give. Services Australia asks you how you care for your child as part of the claim.
Your child’s treating doctor. They need to complete the medical form, so it helps to book an appointment early.
Any supporting documents Services Australia asks for. The claim tells you if you need to supply them.

How do I claim?

Services Australia says the easiest way to claim is online.

Sign in to myGov, with Centrelink linked.
Select Make a claim or view claim status, then Make a claim.
Under Carers, select Get started.
Select Apply for Carer Payment/Carer Allowance and follow the prompts.

If you can’t claim online, you can call the Disability, sickness and carers line, or go to a service centre. You don’t need to go to a service centre to make a claim. The line is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. You can submit a combined claim for Carer Payment and Carer Allowance.

What if I share the care?

If you share the care of a child with another carer who is not your partner and who also claims Carer Allowance, you may only get part of the payment. The amount is based on the percentage of care you provide. Under shared care arrangements, Services Australia divides the Child Disability Assistance Payment in the same way as your Carer Allowance.

What if my child’s care needs are lower?

If you are caring for a child with lower care needs, you may not be able to get Carer Allowance. You may still be able to get a Health Care Card for them. Services Australia assesses your claim, so it is worth lodging it rather than assuming the answer.

Carer Payment is a separate payment with an income and assets test, for constant care that stops you working full time. You can submit a combined claim for both payments, and Services Australia decides.

What happens after I claim?

After you submit online, you get a receipt with the ID number of your claim and the date Services Australia estimates your claim will be complete.
You can track your claim in your Centrelink online account through myGov, or in the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.
Services Australia says carer situations are complex and assessing them can take some time. It will contact you if it needs more information.
It sends the outcome to your myGov Inbox, or by letter if you don’t get electronic letters.
If you don’t agree with the decision, call the Disability, sickness and carers line. If you still don’t agree, you can ask for a review.

Free tools to help

Carer Allowance checker: a quick look at whether the main Carer Allowance rules for a child may fit your situation.
Funding Finder: a free overview of Carer Allowance, the Health Care Card, the Child Disability Assistance Payment, Carer Payment and the NDIS.

Official sources

This article is general information. It isn’t medical, legal, financial or NDIS eligibility advice. Every child’s circumstances are different, and government programs and requirements can change. Check the official sources above before you apply.