Carer Allowance rates
Rates from 1 January 2026. Next change 1 January 2027.
A fortnightly supplement for people who give daily care at home to someone with a disability or medical condition, or who is frail aged. These are the maximum rates; the income and assets tests can reduce what you get.
Maximum rate, maximum rate
$162.60a fortnight
$4,227.60 a year.
- Rate change on 1 Jan
- +$3.30 (2.1%)
- Next change
- 1 January 2027
How the rate has moved
Dollars a fortnightMaximum Carer Allowance from 1 January 2026
A flat rate, paid on top of any other payment you get.
| Situation | A fortnight |
|---|---|
| Maximum rate | $162.60 |
Has it kept up with prices?
Ten years ago, in July 2016, the most you could get was $123.50 a fortnight (carer allowance). It's $162.60 now, 31.7% more. Prices rose 34.7% over the same stretch, going by the ABS consumer price index from the September quarter 2016 to the June quarter 2026, so it buys less than it did.
Since July 2016
- The rate, carer allowance+31.7%
- Prices, by the consumer price index+34.7%
The last ten changes
| From | Carer Allowance |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | $162.60 |
| 1 Jan 2025 | $159.30 |
| 1 Jan 2024 | $153.50 |
| 1 Jan 2023 | $144.80 |
| 1 Jan 2022 | $136.50 |
| 1 Jan 2021 | $131.90 |
| 1 Jan 2020 | $131.90 |
| 1 Jan 2019 | $129.80 |
| 1 Jan 2018 | $127.10 |
| 1 Jan 2017 | $124.70 |
Next change: 1 January 2027
Indexed to the Consumer Price Index once a year, on 1 January.
The Department of Social Services sets these rates in its Social Security Guide; Services Australia pays them through Centrelink. Your own rate depends on your income, assets, living arrangements and other payments, so check it with Services Australia before you plan around it.
Questions people ask
- How much is the Carer Allowance?
- From 1 January 2026, the maximum is $162.60 a fortnight (maximum rate), or $4,227.60 a year. These are maximum rates: the income and assets tests can reduce them.
- When does the Carer Allowance go up next?
- On 1 January 2027. Indexed to the Consumer Price Index once a year, on 1 January. The new rates appear here when the Department of Social Services publishes them.
- How much did the Carer Allowance go up on 1 January 2026?
- The maximum rate rose $3.30 a fortnight, 2.1%, from $159.30 to $162.60 (carer allowance).
- What was the Carer Allowance ten years ago?
- In July 2016, the maximum rate was $123.50 a fortnight (carer allowance), set on 1 January 2016. It is $162.60 now.
- Has the Carer Allowance kept up with inflation?
- Ten years ago, in July 2016, the most you could get was $123.50 a fortnight (carer allowance). It's $162.60 now, 31.7% more. Prices rose 34.7% over the same stretch, going by the ABS consumer price index from the September quarter 2016 to the June quarter 2026, so it buys less than it did.
- Where do these rates come from?
- The Department of Social Services' Social Security Guide, which sets out the rates Services Australia pays through Centrelink. We read it daily and update this page when it changes. Check your own rate with Services Australia: it depends on your income, assets and circumstances.
Source: Department of Social Services, Social Security Guide, sections 5.1.5.50 and 5.2.5.20, © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed CC BY 4.0, read 8 Oct 2026 and arranged by The Finance Algorithm. Not affiliated with Services Australia or Centrelink. Maximum rates before the income and assets tests. General information, not financial advice.