Key points

  • Carers in Australia can access financial support through Carer Payment, Carer Allowance, and the annual Carer Supplement
  • NDIS participants can use Short Term Accommodation (STA) funding for respite care, giving carers a break
  • Carer Gateway (1800 422 737) provides free counselling, peer support, emergency respite referrals, and coaching
  • State-based carer associations offer local support groups, training, and advocacy
  • You do not have to be an NDIS participant yourself to access carer support services

What support is available for carers?

If you are caring for someone with a disability, chronic illness, or age-related condition, you are part of a group of 2.65 million Australians providing unpaid care. That number comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2022 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, and it has only grown since.

The support available falls into four main categories: financial payments, respite care, emotional and psychological support, and practical help. Some of these come through the NDIS. Others are available regardless of whether the person you care for is an NDIS participant.

This guide covers all of them.

Financial support for carers

Carer Payment

Carer Payment is the main income support payment for people who provide constant care and cannot work full-time. As of March 2026, the maximum rate is $1,002.50 per fortnight for a single person.

To qualify, you need to:

  • Provide constant care to someone with a severe disability or medical condition
  • Meet income and asset tests
  • Not work more than 25 hours per week (including travel)
  • Be an Australian resident

The person you care for must score high enough on the Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT) or the Disability Care Load Assessment (child) to demonstrate the level of care required.

Carer Allowance

Carer Allowance is a separate fortnightly payment of $162.60, designed to help with the daily costs of caring. Unlike Carer Payment, it is not income-tested (though an income threshold of approximately $250,000 per year applies as of 2026).

You can receive Carer Allowance on top of Carer Payment if you qualify for both.

Carer Supplement

The Carer Supplement is a one-off annual payment of $600, paid automatically in July each year to people receiving Carer Allowance or Carer Payment on a qualifying date.

Payment comparison

PaymentAmountIncome tested?Asset tested?Who qualifies
Carer PaymentUp to $1,002.50/fortnightYesYesFull-time carers unable to work
Carer Allowance$162.60/fortnightIncome threshold onlyNoCarers providing daily care
Carer Supplement$600/yearNo (automatic)NoCurrent Carer Payment/Allowance recipients

For a detailed breakdown of rates and an eligibility checker, see our Carer Payment Calculator.

NDIS-funded carer support

The NDIS does not directly fund carers. It funds supports for participants, but many of those supports have the secondary effect of giving carers a break or reducing their caring load.

Short Term Accommodation (respite)

Short Term Accommodation (STA) provides the NDIS participant with supported accommodation for short periods, typically up to 14 days at a time and 28 days per year. While the participant receives care in an STA facility or with a host family, the carer gets a break.

STA is funded under the participant’s Core Supports budget. The 2024-25 NDIS Price Guide sets rates for STA that include accommodation, personal care, and support.

In-home support

Regular in-home support through the NDIS can reduce a carer’s daily workload. This might include a support worker helping with personal care, meal preparation, or community access for a few hours each day or week.

Community access and day programs

Community access funding allows NDIS participants to attend day programs, social groups, or recreational activities. This frees up time for the carer and gives the participant social interaction outside the home.

Support coordination

A support coordinator helps the NDIS participant manage their plan, find providers, and solve problems. Good support coordination can reduce the administrative burden that often falls on carers, particularly around service agreements, invoices, and plan reviews.

Find support coordinators and respite care providers through Carevo’s provider directory.

Non-NDIS support for carers

Carer Gateway

Carer Gateway is the main entry point for carer support services in Australia. It is funded by the Australian Government and delivered through a network of local organisations.

Through Carer Gateway, you can access:

  • Free counselling (in-person, phone, or online)
  • Peer support groups (connect with other carers)
  • Coaching (practical strategies for managing your caring role)
  • Emergency respite (when you need short-notice care)
  • Tailored support packages (practical help like transport, equipment, or home modifications)
  • Online skills courses (self-paced learning about caring topics)

Contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or visit carergateway.gov.au.

State and territory carer associations

Each state has its own carer association offering local support:

State/TerritoryOrganisationContact
NSWCarers NSW1800 242 636
VICCarers Victoria1800 242 636
QLDCarers Queensland1800 242 636
WACarers WA1300 227 377
SACarers SA1800 242 636
TASCarers Tasmania1800 242 636
NTCarers NT1800 242 636
ACTCarers ACT1800 242 636

These organisations offer support groups, advocacy, training, and information specific to your state.

For carers of older Australians, the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre can arrange emergency or planned respite. Call 1800 052 222 for referrals to local respite services.

My Aged Care

If the person you care for is 65 or older (50 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), they may be eligible for Support at Home (formerly Home Care Packages) or the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). Both programs can fund in-home support that reduces the caring load.

Mental health and wellbeing for carers

Caring takes a toll. Research from Carers Australia shows that carers report lower wellbeing than the general population across every measure, including physical health, financial security, and social connection.

Signs you may need support

  • Feeling constantly exhausted, even after rest
  • Withdrawing from friends or activities you used to enjoy
  • Feeling resentful or guilty about your caring role
  • Difficulty sleeping or changes in appetite
  • Feeling like you have no time for yourself

Where to get help

  • Carer Gateway counselling: 1800 422 737 (free, confidential)
  • Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
  • Lifeline: 13 11 14
  • Your GP: Ask about a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which gives you access to 10 subsidised psychology sessions per year under Medicare

Taking care of yourself is not selfish. If you burn out, the person you care for also suffers. Accessing support early makes a real difference.

Practical tips for managing caring

Build a support team

You do not have to do everything alone. Identify people who can help, whether that is family, friends, neighbours, or paid support workers. Be specific when asking for help. Instead of “Can you help sometime?”, try “Can you sit with Mum on Thursday afternoon so I can go to the doctor?”

Use NDIS plan reviews strategically

If the person you care for is an NDIS participant, make sure their plan reflects the actual level of support needed. If the carer is providing support that should be funded, raise this at the plan review meeting. Bring evidence: a diary of your caring hours, letters from treating professionals, and examples of tasks you are doing that a paid worker could do.

Keep records

Document everything. Hours of care provided, incidents, medical appointments, communications with providers and the NDIA. This information is useful for Centrelink claims, NDIS plan reviews, and complaints.

Take respite seriously

Respite is not a luxury. It is a necessary part of sustainable caring. Use STA funding if it is available. Access Carer Gateway emergency respite if you need it. Even a few hours away from your caring role each week can help you recharge.

How Carevo can help

Carevo connects carers and families with respite care providers, support workers, and support coordinators across Australia. You can browse provider profiles, compare services, and find the right fit for your situation.

Looking for respite care or carer support services? Browse providers on Carevo or call 1800 953 253 to get connected with the right support.

FAQ

What financial support can I get as a carer in Australia?

Australian carers may be eligible for Carer Payment (up to $1,002.50 per fortnight for full-time carers), Carer Allowance ($162.60 per fortnight as a supplement), and the annual Carer Supplement ($600). These are administered through Services Australia (Centrelink).

Can NDIS funding be used for respite care?

Yes. NDIS participants can access Short Term Accommodation (STA) funding for up to 28 days per year, which provides respite for carers. This falls under the Core Supports budget category.

What is the difference between Carer Payment and Carer Allowance?

Carer Payment is an income support payment for people who cannot work because of their caring role. Carer Allowance is a smaller fortnightly supplement to help cover daily caring costs. You can receive both simultaneously if you meet the eligibility criteria for each.

How do I access free counselling as a carer?

Carers Australia offers the Carer Gateway, which provides free counselling, peer support, and coaching. Call 1800 422 737 or visit carergateway.gov.au.

Can family members be paid as NDIS support workers?

In some circumstances, yes. The NDIS may fund a family member as a paid support worker if it is the most appropriate option. This typically requires approval from the NDIA and is more common in remote areas or for participants with complex needs. Read more in our guide on whether family members can be paid support workers.

What is emergency respite care and how do I access it?

Emergency respite provides short-notice care when a carer becomes suddenly unavailable due to illness, injury, or crisis. Access it through the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre (1800 052 222) or through NDIS short-term accommodation funding.

Are there support groups for NDIS carers?

Yes. Carer Gateway runs peer support groups across Australia, both in-person and online. Your local Carers Association can connect you with groups in your area.

What happens to my Carer Payment if the person I care for enters hospital?

You can continue to receive Carer Payment for up to 63 days while the person you care for is in hospital. You need to notify Services Australia within 14 days.

Can I still work part-time while receiving Carer Payment?

Yes. Carer Payment recipients can work up to 25 hours per week (including travel time). Income thresholds determine how much your payment is reduced.

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