12/11/2025
Have you heard about this? Might be worth investigating for some of our Red Tail families…
Carer Adjustment Payment (CAP)
CAP is a one off payment of up to $10,000 to assist families adjusting to the care needs of their child who has had a catastrophic event or diagnosis.
This is not a Centrelink payment, but Centrelink collects the paperwork on behalf of the department of social services. The decision to approve or reject is not made by a Centrelink officer.
To apply (basic criteria - read link for more info)
1. child diagnosed / catastrophic event before 7 years of age
2. apply within 2 years of diagnosis
3. be on Carer Allowance $159.30/fn for the child
4. be ineligible for income support payments from Centrelink (ie income too high for other payments). **This means people on DSP, PPS, PPP, Carer Payment or Jobseeker can NOT apply**
5. show a strong need for financial support
Examples of event/diagnosis. Note there is no official list of what is or is not eligible. All claims are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- fall with major injury
- cancer diagnosis
- ASD diagnosis
- birth injury causing cerebral palsy
- muscular dystrophy diagnosis
- fire causing severe burns
https://www.dss.gov.au/supporting-carers/carer-adjustment-payment-claims
Process
- child is diagnosed /event happens
- apply for Carer Allowance
- test eligibility for Carer Payment / other income support payment
- if approved for CA but not CP, apply for CAP
