For Carers and Families: Financial Support
Caring for a child with disability is an important role. However, it can come with extra responsibilities and additional costs.
Did you know that by identifying as a carer, there are a range of financial supports you can access? In this resource, we will take you through these carer-specific payments, as well as programs that may benefit your family and help ease financial challenges.
For Carers
Carers Payment, Services Australia
An income support payment if you give constant care to someone who has a disability, has a severe medical condition, or is an adult who is frail aged. Payment will depend on your personal circumstances, including any income you or your partner get from employment and what you own.
Carer Allowance, Services Australia
A fortnightly supplement if you give additional daily care to someone who has a disability, has a medical condition, or is frail aged. There is no asset test for the allowance, but there is an income test. You may be able to get both a payment and an allowance at the same time, depending on your circumstances.
Carer Supplement, Services Australia
An annual payment that helps cover costs when caring for someone with disability or a medical condition. It is not something you need to apply for, you’ll automatically get the Supplement if you’re getting the Carer Payment or Carer Allowance (for a period that includes 1 July).
Child Disability Payment, Services Australia
An automatic annual payment if you get Carer Allowance (for a period that includes 1 July) when looking after a child with disability or medical condition.
Carer Adjustment Payment, Services Australia
A one-off payment to support carers in financial hardship after a catastrophic event affecting a child younger than 7.
Carer’s Registration Refund, Service NSW
If you receive the Commonwealth Carer Allowance, you may be eligible for a refund on some of the vehicle tax paid when registering a vehicle.
For Siblings and Young Carers
Young Carer Bursary, Carers Australia
The Bursary Program offers 1,592 bursaries to support young carers to continue with their education.
For Families
Anglicare
If you’re worried about supporting your family, Anglicare may be able to provide support. From help with bills to bond and rent, as well as no-interest loans.
St Vincent De Paul Society
Provides support to individuals and families in need, including assistance with bills and access to no-interest loans. If you reside outside of NSW, you can search for services in your state.
Salvation Army
If you are experiencing financial hardship, the Salvation Army may be able to help. From financial counselling and coaching services to no-interest loans.
No Interest Loan Scheme, Service NSW
The No Interest Loans Scheme offers people on low incomes, safe and affordable access to credit.
Early Access to Super, ATO
Under specific circumstances, you may be allowed to withdraw some of your super on compassionate grounds for unpaid essential expenses.
- Find out more
Emergencies and Natural Disasters, Service NSW
Helping people and businesses impacted by severe storms and floods, providing grants and financial support after a natural disaster.
Essential Medical Equipment Payment, Services Australia
A yearly payment to help with energy costs to run essential medical equipment or heating or cooling used for medical needs.
Family Energy Rebate, Service NSW
Helps families with dependent children cover the cost of their electricity bills. If you are eligible, you could receive up to $250 per household, per financial year. This rebate is available to customers who hold a Family Tax Benefit and pay their electricity bills to a retail provider.
NSW Low Income Household Rebate, Service NSW
Helps eligible concession cardholders manage their electricity costs. If you qualify, you could receive up to $350 per household, per financial year. This rebate is available to retail customers who hold a concession card and pay their electricity bills.
Continence Aids Payments Scheme (CAPS), Department of Health and Aged Care
A yearly payment to help families with the cost of continence products for children who are not eligible for the NDIS.
Medicare, Services Australia
Medicare helps with the costs of seeing a doctor, getting medicines (see PBS) and accessing mental health care (See MHCP).
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Services Australia
The PBS Safety Net helps you pay less for medicines after you’ve reached a certain amount in a calendar year. The PBS also offers reduced cost for some prescription medicines to Health and Concession Card holders.
Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), Services Australia
A treatment plan that lets you claim up to 10 individual as well as 10 group sessions each calendar year with a mental health professional. To start with, your doctor or psychiatrist will refer you for up to 6 sessions at a time, and if you need more, they can refer you for further sessions. Health professionals set their own fees – if they bulk bill, you won’t have to pay anything, but if they charge a fee, only some of the costs are covered.
- Ask your GP for more information
Health Care Card, Services Australia
A concession card to get cheaper medicines and some discounts if you get specific payments from Services Australia. Your child will automatically receive a Health Care card (in their name) if you receive the Carer Allowance. Once they turn 16, they may also be eligible for Ex-Carer Allowance (Child) Health Care Card.
Chronic Disease Allied Health Services, Services Australia
A Medicare rebate is available for up to five Allied Health services per patient each calendar year to people who have a chronic (a condition that has been, or is likely to be present for six-months or more) or terminal medical condition with a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements. Some families use these rebates to see Speech pathologists, Occupational therapists or Psychologists.
- Ask your GP for more information
Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Eligible Disabilities, Services Australia
Children with complex neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism and other eligible disabilities may qualify for rebates on up to 8 allied health assessments and 20 therapy sessions over their lifetime.
- Speak to your GP or Paediatrician for a referral to access these services
Child Dental Benefit Schedule, Services Australia
This covers part or the full cost of some dental services for children if you get certain government payments, including the Carer Payment.
NSW Spectacles Program, Service NSW
The NSW Spectacles Program provides free glasses and vision aids to eligible residents in NSW who meet specific financial criteria, and are not eligible for any other spectacles subsidy schemes. If you qualify, you can receive a pair of glasses every two years, free of charge. Other vision aids may also be available depending on your circumstances.
Active and Creative Kids Voucher, Service NSW
Families receiving Family Tax Benefit can apply for the Active and Creative Kids voucher, which provides $50 twice a year per eligible child. The voucher can be used for eligible active or creative activities with registered providers.
For Regional Families
Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme, Services Australia
A group of payments for carers of children who can’t go to a local state school either because of geographical isolation or disability.
Little Windmills
Providing financial assistance to families who have children who are seriously sick, injured or with disability in regional and rural areas. Subsidising things like medical costs, travel and accommodation and providing essential equipment and services.
Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTASS), Service NSW
IPTAAS may be able to give you financial assistance with your travel and accommodation expenses if you need to travel long distances for specialist medical treatment.
School Drive Subsidy, Transport NSW
The School Drive Subsidy is available in areas where there is limited or no public transport. The subsidy is intended to partly offset the cost of using a private vehicle to drive the eligible student all or part of the way to school
To learn more about the Practical Supports available to Carers and Families, visit our resource