Payments and supports your child may be able to get in Australia

Carer Allowance

A payment of $162.60 a fortnight if you give daily care to a child who needs it because of disability or a medical condition. The usual combined adjusted taxable income limit for you and your partner is under $250,000 a year. Some existing payments or cards exempt you from this income test. There is no assets test. For a child under 16, it also comes with a Health Care Card for your child.

Source: Services Australia: How much Carer Allowance you can get, Services Australia: Who can get Carer Allowance, Services Australia: Adjusted taxable income

Health Care Card for your child

If your child under 16 has lower care needs, you may not get Carer Allowance but may still get a Health Care Card for them, which helps with the cost of medicine and health care.

Source: Services Australia: Rules for the person you care for

Child Disability Assistance Payment

Paid automatically, up to $1,000 each year for each child, if you get Carer Allowance for a child under 16 for a period that includes 1 July. A Health Care Card on its own does not qualify.

Source: Services Australia: Child Disability Assistance Payment

Carer Supplement

An automatic annual payment of up to $600 for each eligible carer payment, when you receive it for a period that includes 1 July. A Health Care Card alone does not qualify. Shared-care part payments can reduce the amount.

Source: Services Australia: Carer Supplement, Services Australia: Who can get Carer Supplement, Services Australia: Carer Supplement amounts

Carer Payment

An income support payment for carers. You may be able to get both Carer Payment and Carer Allowance, and you can make one combined claim for both.

Source: Services Australia: Carer Payment, Services Australia: Carer Allowance

The NDIS

Children younger than 9 start with the NDIS early childhood approach through an early childhood partner, who can connect you with supports even if your child is not eligible for the NDIS. From age 9, families work with a local area coordinator. For children under 6, a diagnosis is not needed to start the early childhood approach. Your partner can explain whether an NDIS application is appropriate and which evidence is needed.

Source: NDIS: Guide to the early childhood approach, NDIS: How to apply

Rates and therapy costs

See what each carer payment is worth this year in one table, or estimate a year of your child’s therapy and what the NDIS or Medicare may cover.

Write things down about your child

Fill in a few boxes and get a sheet you can edit, copy or print. The communication passport and appointment questions work anywhere. The NDIS ones are for Australia.

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