Taking time off work

You may care for someone and need to take time off work. We have payments and services that can help you.

Taking time off work

You may need to provide care for someone who:

  • has a medical condition
  • has disability
  • is frail aged.

When you provide care for someone

Available payments

You may be eligible for different payments, depending on your circumstances and those of the person you care for. These payments include:

  • Carer Payment, an income support payment if you give constant care to someone who has a disability, has severe medical condition, or is an adult who is frail aged
  • Carer Allowance, a fortnightly supplement if you give additional daily care to someone who has a disability, has a medical condition, or is frail aged.

You may be able to get both Carer Payment and Carer Allowance at the same time.

If you’re eligible, you can get Carer Allowance in addition to any other income support payment.

Payments for if you’re Age Pension age

If you’re near or are Age Pension age, you may choose to get Carer Payment or Age Pension.

Read more about choosing between Carer Payment and Age Pension.

When you need to take time off work to care for someone temporarily

You can only get a carer payment from us if you’re caring for someone on an ongoing basis.

If you need to care for someone on a temporary basis, there are other options available to you.

You’ll need to talk to your employer to negotiate flexible work hours. Ask your employer to find out what support is available to you in your workplace.

Read more about flexibility in the workplace on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

If you need more support

The Department of Social Services Carer Gateway has advice and support for carers. Read about working while caring on the Carer Gateway website.

What tasks you can do online

If you need support because of your ongoing care responsibilities, you can claim Carer Payment online.

If you’re getting Carer Payment or Carer Allowance, you can use your Centrelink online account through myGov to:

Page last updated: 3 March 2022.