The "$300 carers payment" likely refers to two different potential payments, depending on whether you are in Australia or the UK.
The one-off additional $300 payment would be made in July 2025. Estimated one-off cost of about $200m assuming 660,000 Carer Supplement recipients. In a cost of living crisis, unpaid carers are particularly disadvantaged.
The primary goal of the $300 Centrelink boost is to deliver immediate financial relief ahead of summer and Christmas, a period when household expenses typically increase. The payment is intended to assist recipients with essentials such as: Groceries and household supplies. Electricity and utility bills.
If you're eligible on the first qualifying date in April, you'll be paid Carer's Allowance Supplement in June. If you're eligible on the second qualifying date in October, you'll be paid Carer's Allowance Supplement in December. The payment will be made in the same way as your Carer Support Payment is paid.
The Household Fund is provided by the UK Government, and Action for Carers is one of the organisations who distribute it in Surrey. Our allocation is for unpaid family/friend carers who are struggling to pay for food, fuel, water, or other essential bills. You can apply for up to £300.
One-off grants are available to support carers who look after another person. You can apply for up to £150 per year - and put it towards things that help you as a carer.
Carers can get free or discounted services, travel, and entertainment through schemes like the Companion Card or Carer Card, which offer free entry for carers to venues (cinemas, events, transport) when accompanying the person with a disability. They may also receive financial aid like Carer Payment or Allowance (in Australia) for support, plus discounts on utilities, phone bills, insurance, and retail via specific carer discount programs or memberships, often requiring proof of caring status like a Healthcare Card or carer ID.
Around 680,000 people receiving the Carer Allowance will see their payments increase to $162.60 per fortnight, making their annual payment almost $700 more since Labor came to government.
The Carer Adjustment Payment is a one-off ex-gratia payment providing financial assistance of up to $10,000 to families in exceptional circumstances where a child aged under seven years is diagnosed with a severe disability or severe medical condition and they do not qualify for any Government income support payments.
However, for those who are unable to combine work and care, Carer's Allowance – the main carers' benefit - remains the lowest benefit of its kind. From 7 April 2025, it will rise by 1.7% from £81.90 to £83.30 per week, which is less than the price of a first-class postage stamp.
The payment of £293.50, which is only available in Scotland, will be made automatically from 4 December to people who were paid Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance on 13 October 2025. Carers due to get the payment will get a letter from Social Security Scotland before the payment is made.
A full-time carer on Centrelink's Carer Payment can receive a maximum fortnightly payment of around $1,178.70 for a single person, or $888.50 each for a couple, plus potential supplements, but this amount varies significantly based on your income, assets, and the person you care for's circumstances. This payment provides income support and qualifies you for a Pensioner Concession Card, with rules for income/assets applying to both the carer and the care recipient.
You could get £83.30 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person.
The Carer Supplement is an annual payment of $600 which is attached to each Carer Allowance. The Supplement is paid in July each year.
These so-called 'news reports' may pop up when you Google Centrelink, or in emails, on social media, or you may receive a phone call. We can confirm there are NO one-off payments due to be made by Centrelink.
That's why we've introduced the biggest cash increase to the Carer's Allowance earnings threshold - up £45 a week to £196, benefitting more than 60,000 carers by 2029/30.
Payments you can get as a carer
Constant care means you provide care for a large amount of time daily. This roughly equates to a normal working day. If this care stops you from working full time, this payment could be for you. Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment if you care for someone who needs daily support.
The Carer's Support Grant is paid to carers once a year by the Department of Social Protection (DSP). It used to be called the Respite Care Grant. You can use the grant in whatever way you like. You can use it to pay for respite care, but you don't have to.
However the addition of the Carer Premium (or addition or element) will mean that overall you should be better off (taking into account the Carer's Allowance you are paid in addition to your means-tested benefit). How can I claim the Carer Premium/Addition/Element?
For 2026 in Australia, the Carer Allowance increased to $162.60 per fortnight from January 1st, benefiting about 680,000 carers alongside other Centrelink payments. Additionally, New South Wales (NSW) foster carers saw a significant, overdue 20% increase in their care allowance from the same date, part of a larger child protection reform package.
The Holiday Fund provides small grants to carers to enable them to have a complete break from their caring role while the person they care for is receiving respite. Applications for grants may only be made by a suitable professional such as a social worker or community nurse on the carer behalf.
As an unpaid carer, you and the person you care for can get help with Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, mortgage payments, heating your home and extra help from energy suppliers.
If you qualify for a Carer's Allowance you may also be entitled to: • Household Benefits Package (if you live with the person being cared for); • The annual Carer's Support Grant of €1,850; • Free Travel Pass; • Free Carer GP Visit Card; • Eligible to apply for the Fully Funded Energy Upgrade Scheme (other conditions ...