Who can get it

To get this payment you must care full time for a child younger than 7 and meet other rules.

A doctor will need to diagnose your child with a severe medical condition or disability following a catastrophic event. You must claim within 2 years from the first time a doctor diagnoses your child’s condition.

You’ll also need to:

  • be getting Carer Allowance for your child
  • have a very strong need for financial help
  • provide full time care for at least 2 months following the catastrophic event.

To get this one-off payment, you and your partner must not be able to get an income support payment from us. This includes Carer Payment and JobSeeker Payment.

If you or your partner become eligible for an income support payment after the catastrophic event you may be able to claim Carer Adjustment Payment for the period between the event and when the income support payment was paid.

Read more questions and answers on the Department of Social Services website.

Page last updated: 6 July 2023.
QC 51563