Carer Payment rates
Rates from 20 September 2026. Next change 20 March 2027.
Income support for people who give constant care to someone with a severe disability or illness, or who is frail aged. These are the maximum rates; the income and assets tests can reduce what you get.
Maximum rate, single
$1,237.70a fortnight
$32,180.20 a year.
- Couple, each
- $933.00
- Basic rate change on 20 Sep
- +$35.10 (3.2%)
- Next change
- 20 March 2027
How the basic rate has moved
Dollars a fortnightMaximum Carer Payment from 20 September 2026
These rates apply until 19 March 2027. The maximum for people living in Australia: the basic rate plus the pension supplement and the energy supplement.
| Situation | A fortnight |
|---|---|
| Single | $1,237.70 |
| Couple, each | $933.00 |
| Couple, combined | $1,866.00 |
Who can get it
- You need to give constant care to someone who needs it for at least 6 months, or who is at the end of their life.
- The care is given in their home, though you don't have to live with them.
- A health professional reports on the person you care for, and Centrelink scores how much help they need with daily activities such as moving around, eating, communicating and personal care.
- You and the person you care for both need to be Australian residents.
- Your own income and assets go through the same tests as the Age Pension. If the person you care for isn't your partner, their income and assets are tested too.
- Carer Allowance, a smaller supplement for daily care, can be paid on top.
In short, from Services Australia's rules for Carer Payment, which set out the details and exceptions.
What makes up the rate
A basic rate, plus two supplements. Both supplements are paid on top of the basic rate to people living in Australia. Away for more than 6 weeks, the energy supplement stops; living overseas, or away for more than 12 weeks, most people get the basic rate alone.
- Single$1,237.70
- Couple, each$933.00
| A fortnight | Single | Couple, each |
|---|---|---|
| Basic rate | $1,135.40 | $855.90 |
| Pension supplement | $88.20 | $66.50 |
| Energy supplement | $14.10 | $10.60 |
| Maximum | $1,237.70 | $933.00 |
How income and assets reduce the rate
Carer Payment uses the Age Pension's income and assets tests, and pays whichever gives less. From 20 September 2026, the full rate is paid on up to $226 a fortnight of income for a single person, and with assessable assets up to $333,000 for a single homeowner. Above those, income takes 50c in the dollar off the rate and assets take $3 a fortnight for every $1,000.
Has it kept up with prices?
Ten years ago, in July 2016, the basic rate was $794.80 a fortnight (single). It's $1,135.40 now, 42.9% 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 has more than kept pace.
Since July 2016
- Basic rate, single+42.9%
- Prices, by the consumer price index+34.7%
The last ten changes
| From | Single | Couple, each |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Sept 2026 | $1,135.40 | $855.90 |
| 20 Mar 2026 | $1,100.30 | $829.40 |
| 20 Sept 2025 | $1,079.70 | $813.90 |
| 20 Mar 2025 | $1,051.30 | $792.50 |
| 20 Sept 2024 | $1,047.10 | $789.30 |
| 20 Mar 2024 | $1,020.60 | $769.30 |
| 20 Sept 2023 | $1,002.50 | $755.70 |
| 20 Mar 2023 | $971.50 | $732.30 |
| 20 Sept 2022 | $936.80 | $706.20 |
| 20 Mar 2022 | $900.80 | $679.00 |
Next change: 20 March 2027
Indexed on 20 March and 20 September to the higher of the Consumer Price Index and the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index, then checked against male total average weekly earnings so pensions keep pace with wages.
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 Payment?
- From 20 September 2026, the maximum is $1,237.70 a fortnight (single), or $32,180.20 a year, and $933.00 a fortnight couple, each. These are maximum rates: the income and assets tests can reduce them.
- When does the Carer Payment go up next?
- On 20 March 2027. Indexed on 20 March and 20 September to the higher of the Consumer Price Index and the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index, then checked against male total average weekly earnings so pensions keep pace with wages. The new rates appear here when the Department of Social Services publishes them.
- How much did the Carer Payment go up on 20 September 2026?
- The basic rate rose $35.10 a fortnight, 3.2%, from $1,100.30 to $1,135.40 (single).
- What was the Carer Payment ten years ago?
- In July 2016, the basic rate was $794.80 a fortnight (single), set on 20 March 2016. It is $1,135.40 now.
- Has the Carer Payment kept up with inflation?
- Ten years ago, in July 2016, the basic rate was $794.80 a fortnight (single). It's $1,135.40 now, 42.9% 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 has more than kept pace.
- Can I work on the Carer Payment?
- You can do paid work for up to 100 hours in each 4-week period and keep it. Study, training, volunteering and travel to work don't count towards the 100 hours. Income over $226 a fortnight ($396 combined for a couple) takes 50c in the dollar off the rate.
- 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 5.1.8.10 and 5.2.2.10, © 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.