Financial Support

Available to families

Financial Support

A range of financial assistance is available to families of children with special needs as well as support that is available to all families.

Every family is different and the financial support available to you will depend on your individual circumstances. It can be complex working out what assistance you and your family might be eligible

Centrelink Disability Sickness and Carers Line Call 132 717 https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/

Online Services Support Hotline MyGov and Services Australia are the central points to access government online services such as Medicare, Centrelink and the NDIS. To access MyGov you need to register first. Call 132 307 https://my.gov.au


Financial support guide for families and carers

Carer Allowance

This is a fortnightly payment for parents or carers providing extra daily care for a dependent child with disability or medical condition. It is subject to an annual income test, but no assets test. It is not taxable and can be paid in addition to wages, Carer Payment, or other income support payments. View here

Carer Payment

This provides financial help to people who are unable to work in substantial paid employment because they provide full-time daily care for someone with severe disability or medical condition. This payment is income and assets tested. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/carer-payment

Carer Supplement

This is an annual lump sum payment. It helps with the costs of caring for a person with disability or a medical condition. You will get Carer Supplement if you are receiving Carer Payment or Carer Allowance. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/carer-supplement

Child Disability Assistance Payment

This is an annual lump sum payment that helps with the costs of caring for a child with disability. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/child-disability-assistance-payment

Companion Card

This card is issued to people with a significant, permanent disability, who can demonstrate that they are unable to access most community activities and venues without attendant care support. https://www.companioncard.vic.gov.au/

Carer Card

This card offers discounts from businesses, government and community organisations, 50% off public transport and for travel on weekends. https://www.carercard.vic.gov.au/

Carer Adjustment Payment

A one-off payment to assist families following a catastrophic event where a child younger than seven is diagnosed with a severe disability or severe medical condition. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/carer-adjustment-payment

Financial support to cover health costs Medicare

Medicare helps with the costs of seeing a doctor, getting medicines and accessing mental health care. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/medicare

Healthcare Card

A concession card to get cheaper medicines and some discounts if you get a payment from Centrelink. You don’t need to apply for a Health Care Card, if you’re eligible a card is posted to you.

PBS Safety Net Card

When you reach the threshold you can apply for a PBS Safety Net Card. This card lets you get cheaper medicine for the rest of the year. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/pharmaceutical-benefits-scheme/when-you-spend-lot-pbs-medicines/pbs-safety-net-card-application

Continence Aids Payments Scheme (CAPS)

his is available for children who are not eligible for the NDIS. Call 1800 239 309 https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/continence-aids-payment-scheme

Essential Medical Equipment Payment

This is a yearly payment to help with energy costs to run medical equipment or medically required heating or cooling. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/essential-medical-equipment-payment

GP Management Plan

This supports people with a chronic or terminal medical condition who would benefit from a structured approach to the management of their care needs. Ask your GP for more information.

Chronic Disease Allied Health Services

A Medicare rebate is available for up to five services per patient each calendar year to people who have a chronic (or terminal) medical condition with a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements. Ask your GP for more information.

Mental Health Care Plan

This is a treatment plan that lets you claim up to 10 sessions each calendar year with a mental health professional. If your health professional decides you’re eligible, you can have an extra 10 group sessions. Health professionals set their own fees – if they bulk bill, you won’t have to pay anything but if they charge a fee only some of the costs are covered. Ask your GP for more information.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule

This covers part or the full cost of some dental services for children if you get certain government payments. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/child-dental-benefits-schedule

Financial support for families – Family Tax Benefit

This is a two-part payment that helps with the cost of raising children:

Child Care Subsidy

This payment is made to your child care service to help with the cost of child care if you are working, looking for work, or if you receive Carer Payment. It applies to children aged 13 and younger as well as children with disability aged 14 to 18 in secondary school who need supervision. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/child-care-subsidy https://www.childcarefinder.gov.au/

Concession Information Line

Concessions for people on a low income who cannot pay council rates, water, gas and electricity bills. Call 1800 658 521 https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/about-concessions

Vehicle registration Discounted or free vehicle registration

Is available to people with disability who meet the eligibility criteria.

Disability Support Pension

This provides financial help if you are between 16 and Age Pension age and have a permanent physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that stops you from working. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/disability-support-pension

Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme

This provides support for students who cannot go to an appropriate government school because of geographical isolation or because they have a disability or special health needs. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/assistance-for-isolated-children-scheme

Ex-Carer Allowance (Child) Health Care Card

This is for full-time students aged between 16 and 25 who had a Carer Allowance Health Care Card on the day before they turned 16. It gives you cheaper medicines and extra discounts. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/ex-carer-allowance-child-health-care-card

Application form for financial assistance
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