Carer Allowance for Parents of a Child with Disability (2026 Guide)

By FindMyHelp Editorial Team · Reviewed against official sources on 26 October 2026

Parents of children with disability or a serious medical condition do a huge amount of extra care: appointments, therapy, medication, and supervision day and night. Carer Allowance recognises some of that work. It isn't means tested on your assets, it doesn't affect your work income, and for children it unlocks extra yearly payments and a Health Care Card. Here's what parents need to know.

What is Carer Allowance?

Carer Allowance is a fortnightly supplementary payment for people who give daily care and support to someone with disability, a medical condition, or who's frail aged (Services Australia – Carer Allowance).

Carer Allowance is $162.60 a fortnight (Services Australia – How much you can get).

It's a set rate. Your work income doesn't change the amount, as long as your family's income is under the limit.
It isn't taxable income.
The rate is adjusted on 1 January each year.

Can I get it for my child?

Your child's needs

The person you care for, including a child, must (Services Australia – Rules for the person you care for):

need care for at least 12 months, or have a terminal medical condition
be assessed as needing care by a medical professional
be cared for in their home or yours
meet the residence rules.

The treating doctor fills in a medical form. You'll also be asked how you care for your child. Sometimes Services Australia can use medical information it already has.

Your situation

As the carer, you must meet the residence rules and provide daily care and attention in the child's home or yours (Services Australia – Who can get it).

The income test

No assets test.
Your and your partner's combined adjusted taxable income must be under $250,000 a financial year (before tax).
There's no income test for the person you care for.

The extras for parents of children under 16

Carer Allowance for a child under 16 comes with more than the fortnightly payment.

1. A Health Care Card for your child

If you care for a child younger than 16, Services Australia will send you a Health Care Card for them. It helps with the cost of medicines and health care (Services Australia).

Lower care needs? Even if your child's care needs aren't high enough for Carer Allowance, you may still be able to get a Health Care Card for them (Services Australia).

2. Child Disability Assistance Payment: up to $1,000 a year

If you get Carer Allowance for a child under 16 for a period that includes 1 July, you'll automatically get the Child Disability Assistance Payment: up to $1,000 a year for each child who qualifies you for Carer Allowance. You don't need to claim it (Services Australia – Child Disability Assistance Payment).

3. Carer Supplement: up to $600 a year

If you get Carer Allowance for a period that includes 1 July, you'll also automatically get Carer Supplement, an annual payment of up to $600 (Services Australia – Carer Supplement).

What it adds up to

For one eligible child under 16, for a full year:

Payment	Amount
Carer Allowance ($162.60 × 26 fortnights)	about $4,228
Child Disability Assistance Payment	up to $1,000
Carer Supplement	up to $600
Total	about $5,800 a year, plus a Health Care Card

This is our own calculation from the official rates. It assumes a full year at the current rate.

More than one child?

You can get Carer Allowance for more than one child (and up to 2 adults) (Services Australia). The Child Disability Assistance Payment is paid for each child who qualifies you.

Sharing care, such as separated parents

If you share care with another carer who isn't your partner, and they also claim, you may each get part of the payment based on the share of care you provide (Services Australia – How much you can get).

Carer Allowance or Carer Payment?

Carer Allowance is an extra payment. You can work, and it's not affected by your work income (under the $250,000 limit).
Carer Payment is an income support payment for people whose caring stops them working full time. It's income and assets tested.

You may be able to get both, and you can make a combined claim (Services Australia). For children under 16, Carer Payment may also be available if a child needs a lot of care for a short-term condition, or episodic care for 3 to 6 months (Services Australia – Carer Payment rules). See our guides Carer Payment vs Carer Allowance and Carer Payment Rates 2026.

How to claim

The easiest way is online (Services Australia – How to claim):

Sign in to myGov and make sure it's linked to Centrelink. If you don't have a Customer Reference Number (CRN), you can prove your identity online with a strong myID.
Select Make a claim or view claim status, then Make a claim.
Under Carers, select Get started, then Apply for Carer Payment/Carer Allowance.
Give your child's treating doctor the medical form if you're asked for one.
Submit and keep your receipt. It shows your claim ID and the estimated completion date.

Can't claim online? Call the Disability, sickness and carers line on 132 717, or visit a service centre.

While you wait: Track your claim in your Centrelink online account or the Express Plus Centrelink app. Carer situations can take time to assess. Services Australia says it will never ask you for money to release information or fix your account (Services Australia – While you wait).

Keeping your payment

Tell Services Australia about changes, including breaks from caring, overseas travel, and changes to your adjusted taxable income or circumstances (Services Australia – How to manage your allowance).

When your child turns 16 (or 18, for a child with a terminal illness), Services Australia will contact you. If you keep caring, you'll need to transfer Carer Allowance from child to adult to keep getting it.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Carer Allowance for a child?

$162.60 a fortnight, plus up to $1,000 a year Child Disability Assistance Payment (for children under 16) and up to $600 a year Carer Supplement.

Is Carer Allowance means tested?

There's no assets test. Your and your partner's combined adjusted taxable income must be under $250,000 a year. Your child's income isn't tested.

Can I work full time and get Carer Allowance?

Your work income doesn't affect the amount, as long as your combined adjusted taxable income is under $250,000. You must still provide daily care and attention.

Do I get a Health Care Card for my child?

Yes, if you care for a child under 16. You may be able to get a Health Care Card for your child even if their needs are too low for Carer Allowance.

Is Carer Allowance taxable?

No. Carer Allowance isn't part of your taxable income.

What happens when my child turns 16?

Services Australia will contact you before then. You'll need to transfer to Carer Allowance (adult) if you keep caring.

Find support for your family

Find NDIS providers near you

Send one free request and get matched with local providers who have availability. Free for families and carers.

Carer Allowance helps with costs. Practical support helps with everything else. Find disability support, therapy and respite providers near you on FindMyHelp. Compare local options and send one free request to get matched. It's free for families and carers.

This guide is general information, not financial advice. Always check Services Australia for your situation.