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• Who can get Carer Allowance (caring for an adult 16 years or over)?

Who can get Carer Allowance (caring for an adult 16 years or over)?

You may get Carer Allowance (adult) if:

• you are looking after an adult with a severe disability or medical condition who needs a lot of additional care and attention
• you provide care for an adult in either your home or the home of the person you care for, and
• you and the person you are caring for are Australian residents.

Please Note:

• You need a health professional's report to help establish eligibility.
• You can get Carer Allowance for up to two adults if both adults individually qualify.
• Two carers may share one payment of Carer Allowance, in certain circumstances, if together they are providing care.

The Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT) is used to assess medical eligibility for Carer Allowance where the person being cared for is at least 16 years old. This tool measures the level of care needed by an adult as a result of his or her disability or medical condition.

For more information, go to Factors that Affect Payments and Eligibility.

Please Note: Changes to the Australian residence requirements MAY affect New Zealand citizens claiming payments in Australia. Current customers are NOT affected by this change.