Media Release by Senator the Hon Jan McLucas

Carers of children aged up to 16 years with Type 1 Diabetes to receive Carer Allowance

Joint Media Release with:

  • Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

The Gillard Government will extend eligibility for Carer Allowance for carers of children with Type 1 Diabetes.

As part of the National Carer Strategy launched today, the Australian Government is extending automatic eligibility for Carer Allowance (child) to families and carers of children with Type 1 Diabetes aged up to the age of 16.

From September this year, carers of children with Type 1 Diabetes aged more than 10 years who have a Carer Allowance Health Care Card for their child will automatically receive payment of the $110 per fortnight Carer Allowance (child).

Currently, automatic eligibility for Carer Allowance (child) cuts out when children with Type 1 Diabetes turn ten years old. This rule was introduced in 2006 and Type 1 Diabetes is the only condition for which there is a cut-off age of 10.

Today’s change recognises that Type 1 Diabetes is a life long condition for which there is currently no cure, and provides parents and carers with recognition and financial support for the care they provide.

Type 1 Diabetes requires complex management and treatment that can be difficult for older children and adolescents to manage.

The Government will invest $42.6 million over four years to extend eligibility for Carer Allowance.

Carers of children with Type 1 Diabetes who are already receiving Carer Allowance (child) do not need to act – Centrelink will amend their status to ensure payments do not cease at the age of 10.

Carers of children with Type 1 Diabetes aged more than 10 years will have their payments backdated to 1 July 2011 if they had a Carer Allowance Health Care Card at that date. Carers eligible for payment back to 1 July 2011 will also receive the Carer Supplement of up to $600 and the Child Disability Assistance Payment of up to $1000.

Carers of children aged up to 16 with Type 1 Diabetes who currently do not receive Carer Allowance (child) and who do not have a Carer Allowance Health Care Card for their child, will need to lodge a claim form with Centrelink.

Carers of children with Type 1 Diabetes can contact Centrelink if they have questions about their eligibility.

The change responds to a review conducted earlier this year into access to Carer Allowance (child) for carers of children over the age of 10 with Type 1 Diabetes. The review can be found at www.fahcsia.gov.au