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How do I claim Carer Allowance and /or Carer Payment when caring for a person 16 years or over?

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Note: You can make a claim for Carer Allowance and Carer Payment (adult) on the one claim form.

Registering an Intent to Claim

Intent to Claim: You can register an intent to claim for Carer Allowance and /or Carer Payment. This will ensure you are paid from the earliest possible date. Once you have registered your intent to claim, a Centrelink Customer Service Officer will contact you within 2 days to assist you with your claim and send you a claim form. You can also register an intent to claim by visiting any Centrelink Customer Service Centre, or by telephoning us on 13 2717. If you cannot telephone us yourself, someone else can telephone Centrelink for you, so you can register your intent to claim as soon as possible.

Claim: You can download the combined claim information and claim form for Carer Allowance and /or Carer Payment (caring for a person 16 years or over) from this page, complete the forms and return them to your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre. If you are having trouble downloading the below claim forms, you can telephone Centrelink on 13 2717 or visit your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre and a Customer Service Officer will be able to help you.

Please Note:If you choose to download and complete a claim for Carer Allowance and /or Carer Payment (caring for a person 16 years or over), your claim may only be payable from the date you lodge your completed claim, or when you register your intent to claim for Carer Allowance and /or Carer Payment (caring for a person 16 years or over).

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Information required to make a claim

You will need to provide proof of identity for yourself, your partner (if you have one) and for the person being cared for. For more information, refer to Factors Affecting Payments and Eligibility. If you have any questions, telephone Centrelink on 13 2717 or visit your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre.

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Claim forms to complete

To make choosing a claim form that best suits your personal circumstances easy, there are a few steps to follow:

Step 1

Download the Claim Information for Carer Allowance and Carer Payment (caring for a person 16 years or over). The Claim Information for Carer Allowance and Carer Payment contains important information about your claim that you must read before lodging your claim for Carer Allowance and /or Carer Payment (caring for a person 16 years or over). You will also be asked to declare that you are aware of the Privacy notice contained within the Claim Information for Carer Allowance and Carer Payment in the Customer's Declaration section of your claim for Carer Allowance and or Carer Payment.

Step 2

Download and complete a claim form that best suits your own circumstances:

If you have been receiving Carer Allowance or Carer Payment (caring for a person 16 years or over) for the same person within the past 26 weeks

If you have never received Carer Allowance or Carer Payment (caring for a person 16 years or over) from Centrelink, you are caring for a different person, or your last payment was more than 26 weeks ago, you will need to download and complete a full claim for Carer Allowance and/or Carer Payment (caring for a person 16 years or over) form (including a Health Professional Assessment form):

Step 3

Print and complete your downloaded claim forms with your personal details. You may need to download and complete some of the below additional forms that have been identified when completing your claim form. Return your completed forms to your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre and register your intent to claim Carer Allowance and /or Carer Payment (caring for a person 16 years or over) so that your payments can start from the earliest possible date.

These forms are current at time of publishing. To ensure that you are using the latest versions please check this page regularly. For help with downloading our forms go to PDF Hints.

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Other forms

So that your claim can be accurately assessed based on your personal circumstances, you may need to download and complete some of the following additional forms that best describe your (or your partner's) circumstances.

To authorise a person to act on your behalf when dealing with Centrelink, or who can receive your payments, refer to the Someone to deal with Centrelink for you section of our website.

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If you are claiming Carer Allowance (caring for a person 16 years or over), you may be required to complete the following additional form:

Details of any care you provide if you are not living with the peson being cared for:

If you are claiming Carer Payment (caring for a person 16 years or over), you may be required to complete some of the following additional forms:

Details of any child support or maintenance payments you may be receiving:

Information about compensation you are receiving, are about to receive, or have already received:

Information about self-employment or your involvement in a business:

Details about your residency in Australia and other countries:

Information about your involvement in a private company:

Information about your involvement in a Private Trust:

Information about your home, property or any real estate you own or are involved in:

If you have separated from your partner since you last claimed a Centrelink payment or service:

These forms are current at time of publishing. To ensure that you are using the latest versions please check this page regularly. For help with downloading our forms go to PDF Hints.

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More information

For more information or to ask for help:

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