Eligibility for Carer Allowance (CA) (child) when a carer is claiming or receiving CA only 009-03020010

The following must apply:

• The care receiver is a dependent child of the carer and is aged under 16 years
• Both carer and care receiver are Australian residents
• The carer’s and their partner’s combined Adjusted Taxable Income (ATI) is under $250,000 a year, unless the carer is exempt from providing their income details for the CA income test – see Carer Allowance (CA) income test - determining reference tax year and assessable income components
• The care receiver's condition is:
• Permanent, or
• Expected to last a minimum period of 12 months. Note: processing staff are expected to manually assess this as part of the claim process. See Coding a paper claim for Carer Allowance (CA) where the care receiver is under 16 for more information
• The carer provides additional care and attention on a daily basis in a private home that is the shared residence of both the carer and care receiver. Note: if the care is not being provided in the residence of both the carer and the care receiver because the care receiver is temporarily hospitalised, see Hospitalisation provisions for Carer Payment (CP) and Carer Allowance (CA) for assistance
• The severity of the disability must impact on the family
• The dependent child must receive additional care and attention on a daily basis from the carer or the carer's partner because of the disability

Where a step-parent is in a relationship and living jointly with the actual parent of a dependent child, then the child can be considered as a dependent child of the step-parent. The step-parent may qualify if the parent is not receiving CA for that child.

Note: this is for CA (child) only and does not change the definition of a dependent child

The carer may qualify for CA (auto) where they receive CP (child). See Eligibility for Carer Allowance (CA) (auto) when a carer is also receiving Carer Payment (CP) (child).

A person may qualify for CA for each dependent child with a disability or medical condition in their care, regardless of the number of children.

If the carer is being paid CP (child) for a 'disabled adult' and 1 or 2 children each with a disability or medical condition, then they will be eligible for CA (auto) for any of those children they do not receive CA (child) for under the standard provisions. See Eligibility for Carer Allowance (CA) (auto) when a carer is also receiving Carer Payment (CP) (child).

However they will not have automatic eligibility for CA for the 'disabled adult'.

In some cases, more than 1 carer may claim in respect of the 1 care receiver. CA can be shared by 2 carers who are not members of the same couple and who share the care for the same child care receiver. If the care is shared by members of the same couple, only 1 of them will receive payment. See Eligibility for Carer Allowance (CA) for 2 carers in respect of the same care receiver.

A carer may also qualify for CA if they have 2 children in their care, who, while having a disability, do not individually reach the necessary rating on the Disability Care Load Assessment Determination (DCLAD) - however, when combined, the disabilities of these children have a significant impact if assessed against the DCLAD.

This recognises the impact on a family with 2 children whose combined care needs are at a significant level when measured by the DCLAD. Generally, carers will apply for full CA for each child, and if neither qualifies in their own right, the Service Officer will make a joint assessment.

A person who qualifies on this basis will be paid CA as if they had only 1 CA child. This means that the fortnightly rate of CA will be the rate payable for 1 child.

See Assessing a claim for Carer Allowance (CA) using the combined assessment scores of two children.