Caring for someone with an illness, injury or disability

Find support and payments if you care for someone with an illness, injury or disability.

Payments you can get

If you’re caring for someone with an illness, injury or disability, you may be able get payments from Services Australia.

  • Carer Payment

    A Services Australia payment if you give constant care to someone with disability or a medical condition, or an adult who’s frail aged.

  • Carer Allowance

    A supplementary payment from Services Australia if you give daily care and attention to someone with disability or a medical condition.

Taking time off work

When you’re caring for someone, you may need to take time off work. You may be able to arrange flexible working arrangements with your workplace.

Find out what flexible working arrangements are on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

You also have rights in the workplace if you have carer duties. These rights include getting:

  • paid and unpaid leave, including compassionate leave
  • the same opportunities as your colleagues
  • flexible working arrangements.

You can find out more about your rights in the workplace as a carer on the Carer Gateway website.

Support for carers

Make sure you’re taking care of yourself by:

  • taking respite breaks from caring to do something you enjoy
  • maintaining a balance between caring duties and free time
  • talking to friends or family about how you’re feeling.

You may find yourself needing extra mental health support. Find out what mental health support is available.

If you need to take a sudden break, you may be able to get emergency respite care. Find out about emergency respite care on the Carer Gateway website. 

Page last updated: 14 April 2023