Comparing Carer Payment with Age Pension
If you are a carer or have a friend or family member who is a carer and is over age pension age, you should know that you can choose to receive either the carer payment or the age pension. The following table compares the issues that may help you or your family member make the decision which payment to receive.
| Carer Payment | Age Pension | |
| Means testing | Applies to carer and care receiver | Only applies to carer |
| Residency requirements | Carer and care receiver must be Australian residents May apply to newly arrived migrants after 208 weeks in Australia | Must generally be an Australian resident and must also have been one for at least ten years, five of these years continuous |
| Reviews | Carer reviews may occur (ie. twice yearly) | No carer reviews (unless in receipt of Carer Allowance) |
| Travel | Up to 13 weeks for overseas travel without care receiver | Can be paid indefinitely – depends on conditions |
| Respite | Breaks up to 63 days per year | Not affected |
| Carer supplement | $600 pa | Only paid if also receiving Carer Allowance |
| Rent assistance | Higher rate if single and sharing private accommodation | Lower rate if single and sharing private accommodation |
| Work/volunteering/study | Limits on hours – 25 per week | No limits |
| Study assistance | May be entitled | Not entitled |
| Bereavement payment | Receive lump sum if carer was single | No entitlement |
Additional information is available via the Department of Human Services website via this link.
Should you or a family member wish to discuss which payment might be better for you, please contact us to have a chat.
