Carer Payment (adult)

A person can apply for Carer Payment (adult) where they are an Australian resident and currently living in Australia. You must also prove that you are:

• not getting another Social Security pension, benefit or Veterans Affairs Service or Wife’s Service Pension;
• personally providing “constant care” for a “disabled adult” (see definitions below);
• providing care for the person in the private home of the care recipient;
• caring for a person whose level of disability and need for care is sufficient when assessed using the Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT)

A person may also qualify for Carer Payment where the person cares for a disabled adult, and supervises the care of the disabled adult’s dependent child. The disabled adult must be assessed using the ADAT. Where the child is six or over, Carer Allowance must be payable in respect of the child.

What is the ADAT?

The ADAT (Adult Disability Assessment Tool) is used by Centrelink for assessment of Carer Payment qualification. It assesses a person’s level of disability and need for assistance in the activities of daily living as well as their cognitive ability, emotional state and behaviour.

There are several parts to the Adult Disability Assessment Tool:

• the claimant questionnaire;
• the professional questionnaire;
• the rating method.

Each question in the claimant questionnaire results in a person being given a number. The numbers are then added together and the final score establishes whether a person is qualified for Carer Payment. When completing this questionnaire, a carer should not attempt to maximise ability and minimise disability (as is natural), but should think about the person with the disability on an average to bad day so that the full caring requirements are disclosed.

To establish entitlement to payment it is also necessary to obtain a minimum score from the professional questionnaire.

To obtain a copy of the ADAT forms and see the scoring system used during an assessment go to our ADAT page:
http://www.workingcarers.org.au/money/561-adult-disability-assessment-tool

How are constant care and disabled adult defined?

A person is providing “constant care” where the care provided is:

• “frequent care” (including attention and supervision) in connection with bodily functions; or
• “constant supervision” to prevent harm to either the person being cared for or another person.

The need for “constant care” must be either permanent or for a minimum of 6 months. Where a medical practitioner has certified that the care receiver is in the terminal phase of an illness and is not expected to live for more than three months (adult) or 12 months (child), the constant care requirements should be satisfied and Carer Payment can be paid for the duration of that person’s life.

Centrelink considers “frequent care” to be care which occurs daily, although the level of care may fluctuate throughout the day and from day to day. In general, Centrelink will not accept that “frequent care” is being provided where the carer is able to undertake employment of more than 20 hours per week.

The alternative test is that the person requires “constant supervision” because they are a danger to themselves or others. The danger can be due to either a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disability. Such attention or supervision must be for lengthy periods throughout each day but not necessarily continuously.

A treating doctor’s report or a report from a health professional will be required to satisfy Centrelink that the person is a “disabled adult”. However the “constant care” requirement involves consideration of the amount and type of assistance that the person requires not the nature of the person’s disability.

Usually, a Centrelink social worker should assist in the decision-making process and may also be able to make useful referrals.

The Social Security Act defines a “disabled adult” as a person who:

• has a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disability; and
• is aged 16 or more; and
• is likely to suffer from that disability permanently or for an extended period; and
• because of that disability requires “frequent care” in relation to bodily functions or requires “constant supervision” to prevent injury to themselves or to another.

The “disabled adult” must be receiving an income support payment unless:

• they do not qualify for a Social Security payment because they have not lived in Australia for long enough; or
• they do not receive a Social Security payment because of the application of the income or assets test (see 2.5).

“Special care receiver” income and assets tests

The ordinary pension income and assets tests apply to the carer. However as a general rule, to qualify for Carer Payment, the care receiver must also receive a Social Security payment or a payment from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Where the care receiver does not receive an income support payment or a payment from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the carer may still qualify if the care receiver’s income and assets are below a certain limit set by legislation. At the time of publication, this income limit was $92,653 and the assets limit was $571,500.

In addition, Centrelink has the discretion to decide that the application of even this assets test to the care receiver does not disqualify the carer from Carer Payment where a number of circumstances prescribed by legislation apply. So, where a person is refused Carer Payment on the basis of the assets of the care receiver, they should seek advice from a Welfare Rights service.

Temporary breaks in caring

A carer may take breaks from caring for up to 63 days in any calendar year either in a continuous single period or in more than one period to remain qualified for Carer Payment. Where there is a special circumstances, this period can be extended by a senior Centrelink officer and, as long as the person continues to qualify in all other respects they will continue to receive Carer Payment.

The carer may also undertake voluntary or paid work or education or training and remain qualified for Carer Payment as long as the activity does not exceed 25 hours per week. Where a carer does more than 25 hours of paid work per week and this causes them to fail the constant care criterion, they will continue to qualify, where they have a “working credit” balance, for the period it takes to run down their “working credit” balance.

In addition to the 63 days respite period, and separate to it, a person may still qualify for Carer Payment if the person being cared for has entered hospital, and meets the “hospitalisation” requirements. These provisions apply if:

• the carer is required to actively participate in the care recipient’s treatment plan; and
• the treatment plan is focussed on returning the care recipient into their home, unless they are terminally ill.

Where the care recipient is hospitalised for longer than 63 days in one calendar year, it is possible to move onto the 63 days respite period (as long as that respite period has not already been used up during the calendar year).

Where the person being cared for leaves Australia temporarily with the carer, the carer can remain qualified for Carer Payment during that absence from Australia for up to 13 weeks in a calendar year.

Claiming the carer payment

A special Centrelink claim form must be completed by the claimant. Carer Payment and Carer Allowance are included on the same claim form and both payments can be paid simultaneously.

A claim for Carer Payment can be lodged at the local Centrelink Office or over the telephone to a Centrelink Call Centre.

Centrelink will not pay for medical examinations or reports that require completion for the purpose of claiming Carer Payment, however, the cost of the examination is covered by Medicare.

What next?

If you would like to discuss the issues raised in this Fact Sheet you may like to try:

• checking out our Services Directory to find the local services that may be able to assist you as a working carer
• contacting Carers Australia on 1800 242 636 for information, support, referral and advice about your caring role and services that can assist you. If English is not your first language and you need assistance in talking with the Centre, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131450.
• subscribing to our monthly newsletter, Work 'n' Care, for regular information and support regarding the issues facing working carers.

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