Centrelink Carer Payment Work Hours: Centrelink has lifted the limits imposed on the number of working hours that recipients of Carer Payment can perform. As announced on March 20, 2025, carers are allowed to work either on a paid basis or independently for a total of 100 hours within a four-week period without forfeiting access to their Carer Payment entitlement. This replaces the previous 25 hours a week as a limit, and it is designed to facilitate earning while performing a vital role in a loved one’s life.
Such changes point toward the Australian Government’s greater commitment to ensuring a fair and inclusive system that empowers individuals dedicating their time to the fostering of others. By recognizing the economic challenges faced by caregivers and allowing flexible work schedules under this reform, the future looks bright for greater financial independence and mental well-being for caregivers.
Centrelink Carer Payment Work Hours
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| New Work Hour Limit | Up to 100 hours over a 4-week period for paid/self-employed work |
| Excluded Activities | Travel time, study, volunteering, and training are not included in the 100-hour cap |
| Payment Amount (Single) | Up to $1,149.00 per fortnight including supplements |
| Payment Amount (Couple – each) | Up to $866.10 per fortnight including supplements |
| Temporary Cessation of Care (TCC) | Can now be used flexibly in single-day increments |
| Suspension Window | Payments may be suspended up to 6 months if the work limit is exceeded, allowing reinstatement |
| Official Link | Services Australia – Carer Payment |
Centrelink’s extension of work hours under Carer Payment marked a progressive and good step toward social support reform. The Australian government offered the conditions under which the carer can work up to 100 hours every 4 weeks, plus the same unpaid options like studying, volunteering, and commuting, thus supporting emotional health and financial security for carers.
If you get the Carer Payment or intend to apply for the Carer Payment, it will be important for you to know these new rules so that you can plan better, earn more confidently, and care without compromise.
What Is the Centrelink Carer Payment?
The Carer Payment is a very important financial support program offered by Centrelink, which is within the Services Australia network. It is meant for those who are providing constant care to a person who has a serious disability, chronic illness, permanently requiring high levels of assistance due to age or frailty. It signifies not only aid to the care recipient but also assurance to the carer that he or she can live reasonably without having to squeeze time to earn a full-time wage.
The Carer Payment is also said to be different from one called the Carer Allowance, as it is a supplementary payment. The Carer Payment is a full income support payment that would take over the need of having a regular income for someone who provides full-time care. In addition, the caregiving role is often unpredictable and demanding; therefore, traditional employment is not always an option, which eligibility conditions and participation requirements have been organized around flexibility and support.
New Work Curriculum for 2025: What has actually changed?
Previously, restricts were existing for recipients at twenty-five hours per week in work, study, and volunteering forms of activation. But it was inflexible and did not take into account varied schedules or time spent commuting. The rule has now been revised to implement an adjustment based on the real-life needs of carers in committing them for work, namely:
- Carers can engage in any work type up to 100 hours within any rolling 4-week period (averaging approximately 25 hours per week but flexible enough to vary by week).
- Only paid or self-employed work accounts toward the 100-hour count. Commuting, studying, volunteering, or not-waged training time is excluded because those are not productivity generating and aren’t under punishment.
- This new approach is true to life regarding casual, part-time, or freelance work and complements those people who juggle employment with caring responsibilities.
Who benefits from these changes?
These reforms will be highly useful to:
- Part-time and casual employees with flexible working hours for taking on extra shifts or balancing hours across weeks.
- Freelancer or contractor gig workers, whose work schedule and income oftentimes fluctuate.
- Rural and regional-based carers who would travel and return home after spending hours on employment.
- Those who are also working on their development pursuit through education courses/training programs-now free from work hour tallying.
- These changes make it possible for caregivers to stay connected with the workforce, develop new skills, and contribute to household income with no risk of losing essential benefits.
REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES
Case 1: Flexible Freelancer
Jenny is a self-employed graphic designer who takes care of her elderly father. Some weeks she works 30 hours, while in others, just 15. With the new 4-weekly model she’s able to work up to 100 hours across that period without worrying about breaching a rigid weekly cap. This allows her to accept more projects and better manage her client deadlines.
Case 2: Rural Commute
Amit travels 1.5 hours to work, each way, two times a week. Up to a few months ago, this 6-hour weekly commute was part of the 25-hour cap, restricting Amit to a mere 19 hours of paid work. Now, with no travel time being counted, he can continue to stay almost at a full 25 hours of paid work per week.
Case 3: Career Growth
Rebecca, a carer for her child with special needs, would like to complete a 6-month TAFE certification online to better her career prospects. Under the old rules, time she spent studying counted towards her participation limit. With study hours now exempt, she can be an active student without jeopardizing her Carers Payment.
What Happens If You Go Beyond 100 Hours?
Going above the 100-hour cap in a 4-week period does not instantly disqualify one from the Carer Payment. Here’s how Centrelink deals with such circumstances:
- Temporary Cessation of Care (TCC) days can be used to explain an increase in work hours for this period. Every carer is entitled to 63 days TCC per year.
- If you run out of TCC days, your payment, however, may be suspended for the next 6 months when your eligibility is not extinguished. You may instead reapply once your hours return to approved levels.
- During suspension, the Pensioner Concession Card may be retained, while some support to which you may be entitled, such as Rent Assistance, also continues depending on your situation.
Thus, the system is more forgiving and flexible towards the inevitable dynamics of life.
What Are the Earnings Limit for the Carer Payment?
The Carer Payment is income-tested. Essentially you can work up to 100 hours in 4 weeks, yet the amount of the income may direct influence the amount of payment.
The figures from March 2025 state:
- For individual recipients: up to $1,149.00 per fortnight, including base rate and supplements.
- For couples (each): up to $866.10 per fortnight, including base rate and supplements.
Please remember:
- Income earned from working (including self-employment) will be assessed.
- Your partner’s income may also be calculated into the equation in determining your entitlement.
What Activities Don’t Count Towards the Limit?
The government has clarified that the 100-hour calculation does not include any of the following activities: traveling time between home and place of work; attending study and educational programs (e.g. TAFE, online diplomas); carrying out volunteer roles, even if they occur regularly; and receiving training or undergoing internships for no pay. This gives the carer a little more room to engage actively in personal and professional development, free from worries of penalty.
How Does One Report Hours Worked and Income Earned?
Centrelink requires that any change in work hours, income, or caregiving situation be reported by the recipients within 14 days of its occurrence. Otherwise, it may give rise to overpayments that have to be paid back or may even attract suspension of payments.
Reporting can be done via:
- The myGov portal
- The Centrelink Express Plus mobile app
- Calling the Centrelink helpline
- Visiting a Services Australia service centre in person
Record all details with accuracy, especially when working for oneself. Note working hours, payment made, and of any changes to your caregiving situation so that it becomes easier for you to report.
FAQs:
Can I study and still get Carer Payment?
Yes! Education and training are exempt from the 100-hour limit. You’re free to upskill or complete qualifications while maintaining your payment.
Will I lose my Carer Payment if I exceed 100 work hours?
Not necessarily. You can use TCC days or have your payment temporarily suspended with the option to reinstate it later.
How is self-employment income calculated?
Centrelink assesses your gross income (before tax and deductions). Make sure to maintain invoices, logs, and receipts.
Can I mix paid work and volunteering?
Yes, volunteering is excluded from the hour limit, so you can combine both without penalty.
Where can I manage or apply for the Carer Payment?
Go to Services Australia’s Carer Payment page to apply or manage your existing claim.