Skip to navigation Skip to content

Commencing or returning to work for Carer Allowance 009-03070010

This document outlines information to assist staff in determining the continuing entitlement to Carer Allowance (CA) when a carer advises they are commencing or returning to work.

Carer Allowance (CA) - Commencing or returning to work

Step	Action
1	Carer advises they are commencing or returning to work If the carer receives: CA payment (adult or child), go to Step 2 CA (child) Health Care Card (HCC) only, go to Step 3
2	Daily care and attention Does the carer still provide care and attention on a daily basis in the residence of the carer and/or the care receiver? Yes, go to Step 4 No, go to Step 7
3	14 hour per week rule If the carer is receiving CA (child) HCC only, are they still providing at least 14 hours per week of additional care and attention in the residence of the carer and care receiver? Yes, go to Step 4 No, go to Step 7
4	Recording employment income If the carer or their partner receives an income support payment, they need to advise their employment income. Does the carer (or their partner) receive an income support payment? Yes, record the employment income. See Recording and correcting employment income details. Go to Step 5 No, go to Step 5
5	CA income exemption The carer remains qualified for CA if they are still exempt from providing their income details for the CA income test. See Carer Allowance (CA) income test to determine if an exemption still exists. Has the carer lost their exemption from having to provide their income details for the Carer Allowance income test? Yes, and: Sufficient Adjusted Taxable Income (ATI) details have not been provided for a relevant reference tax year. Go to Step 6 Adjusted Taxable Income (ATI) have been provided. Confirm ATI details have been updated on the customer’s record. If further updates or corrections are needed see Carer Allowance (CA) income reviews. Go to Step 8 No, go to Step 8
6	CA income review Tell the carer they need to update their income details for the Carer Allowance income test. For more information see Carer Allowance (CA) income test - determining reference tax year and assessable income components. Manually issue a CA income review Record all details of contact on a DOC Go to Step 8
7	Carer may no longer qualify for CA The carer may no longer qualify for CA. Staff will need to undertake an eligibility check. See: Eligibility for Carer Allowance (CA) when the care receiver is aged 16 years or over, or Eligibility for Carer Allowance (CA) (child) when a carer is claiming or receiving CA only Has the carer lost eligibility for CA? Yes, cancel the payment (or HCC) from the date eligibility ceases: See Cancellation of Carer Allowance (CA) Note: if the carer is receiving CP (XWP), they will cease entitlement once payment level CA is cancelled Go to Step 8 No, go to Step 8
8	Family payment income estimates and finalising the activity If the carer or partner is receiving Family Tax Benefit (FTB) or Child Care Subsidy (CCS), check if the carer needs to revise their current family assistance income estimate and advise choices available to help reduce the chance of an overpayment during the reconciliation process. See Updating income estimates for the current financial year. Record all details of contact on a DOC Finalise activity via AR screen Advise carer of outcome DOC minimum standards These only require the collection and recording of enough information about the employer (e.g. contact name and address or phone number) to allow income assessment, as well as contact with the employer if necessary. Contact may be necessary for verification of the income details provided, or for conducting reviews resulting from Data Matching with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Some carers (e.g. those who work in sensitive areas like women's refuges, etc.) may not want all employment details (e.g. business name) recorded on a DOC. This does not affect the requirement to collect sufficient information for assessment or review purposes.