Carer Payment & Allowance Calculator 2026
Estimate Carer Payment (carer pension) and Carer Allowance using March 2026 rates. Enter your relationship status, home ownership, care hours, income, and assets to see a fortnightly and annual figure before you apply through Services Australia.
Single max (Carer Payment)
$1,178.70/fn
March 2026 rate
Partnered each max
$888.50/fn
Same rate as DSP / Age Pension
Carer Allowance
$162.60/fn
Not income or asset tested
Income free area (single)
$212/fn
Before Carer Payment tapers
How to Use This Calculator
- 1. Choose your relationship, home ownership, and weekly care hours.
- 2. Enter fortnightly income (and partner income if partnered) and total assessable assets.
- 3. Review estimated Carer Payment, Carer Allowance, and combined totals.
Rates & Thresholds (March 2026)
Carer Payment: up to $1,178.70/fn single; $888.50/fn each partnered.
Carer Allowance: $162.60/fn + up to $600 annual supplement (July).
Assets (homeowner): $314,000 single; $470,000 partnered — higher limits if non-homeowner.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only. Actual payments depend on individual circumstances assessed by Services Australia. Always confirm with Centrelink.
Your Details
Constant care means care equivalent to a full-time job. 14+ hours per week can qualify for Carer Allowance; Carer Payment usually requires constant care.
Carer Payment and Allowance in Plain English
Carer Payment (sometimes called the carers pension) is an income support payment for people who cannot work full-time because they provide constant care. It is means tested (income and assets), and the maximum carers pension amount matches the Age Pension and Disability Support Pension.
Carer Allowance is a smaller fortnightly supplement for people who provide at least 14 hours of care per week. Current carer allowance rates are $162.60 per fortnight, and this payment is not income or asset tested. Many carers receive it even when they do not qualify for Carer Payment.
How This Estimate Works
This tool applies simplified Centrelink-style rules: asset limits for homeowners and non-homeowners, income free areas, and a 50% taper on income above the free area. It does not replace a full assessment (for example, Work Bonus or special exemptions).
Use the result as a planning guide, then confirm eligibility, rates, and reporting obligations in your myGov account or with Services Australia.
Income and Assets Tests (Planning View)
Carer Payment uses the same kind of income test and assets test as other pensions: income above a free area reduces payment at a taper, and countable assets above limits can reduce or stop payment. Your home is usually exempt while you live in it; other property and financial assets generally count. This calculator uses simplified limits and taper rules—always confirm your result against Services Australia.
Before You Apply
Have details of the person you care for, medical reports, proof of income and assets, and your living arrangements ready. Claims can take time; accurate information upfront reduces back-and-forth.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of March 2026, maximum Carer Payment is $1,178.70 per fortnight for singles and $888.50 each for couples (same maximum as Age Pension and DSP). Carer Allowance is $162.60 per fortnight and is not income or asset tested. You may receive both if you meet the rules. Rates are typically indexed in March and September; confirm on Services Australia.
The five main areas Services Australia considers are:
- Care: You provide constant care for someone with a severe disability, medical condition, or frailty (care rules apply).
- Care receiver: They have a qualifying condition and need the level of care claimed.
- Where you care: Care is provided in a private home (yours or theirs), as required by the rules.
- Means tests: You meet income and assets tests for Carer Payment.
- Residence: You meet Australian residence rules when you claim.
No. Carer Allowance is not income or asset tested. You can receive the full fortnightly amount if you meet the care conditions (for example, at least 14 hours of care per week averaged over 12 months for that payment). Carer Payment is means tested—many carers get Carer Allowance even when they do not qualify for Carer Payment.
Assessable income is compared to a free area (about $212/fn single, $372/fn combined for couples for planning). Income above that generally reduces Carer Payment by 50 cents per dollar until the payment reaches zero. Employment income may use the Work Bonus (this calculator uses simplified rules—confirm with Services Australia).
Countable assets are compared to limits that depend on whether you are single or partnered and a homeowner or non-homeowner. Typical full-rate limits used in this tool are about $314,000 (single homeowner), $566,500 (single non-homeowner), $470,000 combined (couple homeowner), and $722,500 combined (couple non-homeowner). Your principal home is usually exempt if you live in it. Above the limit, payment reduces under Services Australia rules.
Need support while you care?
If you’re caring for someone with disability or aged care needs, we can help connect you with trusted NDIS, home care, and aged care services across Australia.
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