Media Release by Senator the Hon Jan McLucas

Annual supplement to better support carers

Joint Media Release with:

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

From today, more than 530,000 carers across Australia will receive a $600 boost to help relieve the financial pressures of caring for a loved one.

Carers across Australia will share in $485 million in Carer Supplement payments.

The annual $600 Supplement will be paid to people who receive:

  • Carer Payment;
  • Carer Allowance;
  • both Wife Pension and Carer Allowance;
  • both Department of Veteran’s Affairs Partner Service Pension and Carer Allowance; and
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs Carer Service Pension.

Recipients of Carer Allowance will receive the $600 supplement for each person they care for.

This means that if a person is in receipt of Carer Allowance and Carer Payment (or Wife Pension, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Service Pension or Carer Service pension) they will qualify for two Carer Supplement payments, with an additional payment for each extra person they care for.

The annual Carer Supplement gives carers certainty about the level of assistance they receive each year, and assists with budgeting for any unforeseen costs.

Also from today, about 136,000 carers who receive Carer Allowance (child) will receive the annual $1000 Child Disability Assistance Payment for each child they care for.

The Australian Government values the enormous social and economic contribution of carers all over Australia who are caring for loved ones with disability, mental illness or other medical conditions and the frail and aged.

The Government’s commitment to deliver improved support and greater recognition for carers is also reflected in Carer Recognition legislation, passed in October 2010, and in the National Carer Strategy, currently being developed in consultation with carers, state and territory governments, peak organisations and service providers.

The National Carer Strategy will formally acknowledge the vital role of carers and represent the Government’s long-term commitment to improving support for Australia’s 2.6 million carers.