Financial assistance
Financial assistance
A range of financial assistance is available to families of children with disability as well as support that is available to all families.
Where do I start?
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 for. For information and advice, start by contacting:
Centrelink
Call 132 717
Services Australia
MyGov
This is the central point to access government online services such as Medicare, Centrelink and the NDIS. To access MyGov you need to register first.
What financial support is available for families and carers?
Financial support for families and carers includes:
Carer Allowance
This is a fortnightly payment for parents or carers providing extra daily care for an adult or 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.
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.
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.
Child Disability Assistance Payment
This is an annual lump sum payment that helps with the costs of caring for a child with disability.
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.
Carer Card
This card offers discounts from businesses, government and community organisations, free travel on public transport on Sundays and travel vouchers.
What financial support is available for health costs?
Financial support for health costs includes:
Medicare
Medicare helps with the costs of seeing a doctor, getting medicines and accessing mental health care.
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.
Continence Aids Payments Scheme (CAPS)
This is a yearly payment to help cover some of the cost of continence products for children who are not eligible for the NDIS.
Continence Aids Payments Scheme (CAPS)
Essential Medical Equipment Payment
This is a yearly payment to help with energy costs to run medical equipment or medically required heating or cooling.
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 Benefit Schedule
This covers part or the full cost of some dental services for children if you get certain government payments.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule
What financial support is available for families?
Financial support for families includes:
Family Tax Benefit
This is a two-part payment that helps with the cost of raising children:
- Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A is paid per child and the amount depends on your family’s circumstances.
- Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part B is paid if you’re a single parent or non-parent carer, a grandparent carer, or if you’re a member of a couple with one main income.
Childcare Subsidy
The Child Care Subsidy helps families with the cost of child care if you are working, looking for work, or if you receive the Carer Payment.
Childcare Finder
Concessions
Concessions are available to eligible people on a low income who cannot pay council rates, water, gas and electricity bills.
Concessions Help Line
Call 1800 658 521
Concessions and benefits
Vehicle registration
Discounted or free vehicle registration is available to people with disability who meet the eligibility criteria.
VicRoads
National Debt Helpline
Free financial counselling
Call 1800 007 007 (Mon-Fri)
National Debt Helpline
Social Security Rights Victoria
Call 03 9481 0355 (metro) or 1800 094 164 (rural)
Social Security Rights Victoria
What financial support is available for children with disability?
Financial support for children with disability includes:
NDIS
Your child may be able to get funding for supports through Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) and the NDIS. To access this you will need to have an ECEI or NDIS plan for your child. Funding is based on the individual support needs of your child.
Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme
This provides support for students who cannot go to an appropriate state school because of geographical isolation or because they have a disability or special health needs.
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 from state and local government authorities and some private organisations.
Ex-Carer Allowance (Child) Health Care Card
Disability Support Pension
This provides financial help if you have a permanent physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that stops you from working. You must be between 16 and Age Pension age, have a permanent medical condition that stops you from working, meet residency requirements, income and assets tests.
Related topics
Turning 16 and Centrelink
Supporting your child with decision-making
Read more information and resources about help for you and your family.