From 20 September 2026 Carer Payment pays up to $1,237.70 a fortnight for a single person and $1,866.00 for a couple combined. Carer Allowance, a separate supplement for carers, is $162.60 a fortnight.
Key facts
- Carer Payment, single: up to $1,237.70 a fortnight including supplements.
- Carer Payment, couple: up to $933.00 each or $1,866.00 combined.
- Carer Allowance: $162.60 a fortnight, not affected by income if you and your partner earn less than $250,000 a year.
- The person you care for must have income under $143,752 a year and assets under $886,750, unless they get an income support payment.
- Carer Payment changes every 20 March and 20 September; Carer Allowance changes on 1 January.
Carer Payment rates
Maximum Carer Payment a fortnight from 20 September 2026
| Per fortnight | Single | Couple, each | Couple, combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum basic rate | $1,135.40 | $855.90 | $1,711.80 |
| Maximum Pension Supplement | $88.20 | $66.50 | $133.00 |
| Energy Supplement | $14.10 | $10.60 | $21.20 |
| Total | $1,237.70 | $933.00 | $1,866.00 |
A couple separated due to ill health each get the single rate ($1,237.70). Carer Payment is taxable if you or the person you care for is Age Pension age or older.
Carer Allowance
Carer Allowance is $162.60 a fortnight. It isn't reduced by work income if you and your partner earn less than $250,000 a year, and it isn't taxable. If you share care with another carer who also claims it, you may get part of it.
Income test
Your and your partner's income from all sources counts, including deemed income from financial assets.
Income test, single
| Income a fortnight | Pension reduces by |
|---|---|
| Up to $226 | $0 |
| Over $226 | 50 cents for each dollar over $226 |
Income test, couple (combined income)
| Combined income a fortnight | Each pension reduces by |
|---|---|
| Up to $396 | $0 |
| Over $396 | 25 cents for each dollar over $396 |
Income cut-off points
| Your situation | Cut-off a fortnight |
|---|---|
| Single | $2,701.40 |
| Couple living together | $4,128.00 combined |
| Couple living apart due to ill health | $5,346.80 combined |
The person you care for must also have income under $143,752 a year, unless they get an income support payment.
Assets test
Your home isn't counted.
Full pension: assets up to
| Your situation | Homeowner | Non-homeowner |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $333,000 | $600,000 |
| Couple, combined | $499,000 | $766,000 |
| Couple separated due to illness, combined | $499,000 | $766,000 |
| Couple, one partner eligible, combined | $499,000 | $766,000 |
Part pension stops at
| Your situation | Homeowner | Non-homeowner |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $745,750 | $1,012,750 |
| Couple, combined | $1,121,000 | $1,388,000 |
| Couple separated due to illness, combined | $1,324,500 | $1,591,500 |
| Couple, one partner eligible, combined | $1,121,000 | $1,388,000 |
The person you care for (with their partner and dependent children) must have assets under $886,750, not counting their home, unless they get an income support payment.
See also: Estimate a pension under the income and assets tests.
Common questions
How much is Carer Payment a fortnight?
From 20 September 2026, up to $1,237.70 a fortnight for a single person and $933.00 each for a couple, including the Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement.
How much is Carer Allowance?
$162.60 a fortnight. It's not income tested if you and your partner earn less than $250,000 a year, and it isn't taxable.
Other payments: JobSeeker · Youth Allowance & Austudy · Parenting Payment · DSP · Family Tax Benefit · Parental Leave Pay · Concession cards · Age Pension · Rent Assistance. Back to all Centrelink payment rates.
Source: Services Australia, How much Carer Payment you can get, How much Carer Allowance you can get, Income test for Carer Payment, Assets test for Carer Payment (pages last updated 20 September 2026). Checked 21 October 2026. General information only; Services Australia works out your actual payment.