Do Grandparents Get Paid for Raising Grandchildren in Australia?

The Short Answer Is Yes — Through Several Different Channels

Australian grandparents raising grandchildren are not paid a wage for caregiving. But they can access a combination of federal Centrelink payments and state-level grants that, together, provide real financial support. The system is fragmented across agencies, which is why many grandparent carers miss payments they are entitled to.

Here is what is available nationally and, for WA carers specifically, through the state system.

Federal Payments Through Centrelink

These are available Australia-wide and administered by Services Australia:

Family Tax Benefit Part A — Paid per child. Income-tested, but the thresholds are generous. If you have 35% or more care of the child, you can claim. As a pensioner, you will typically receive the maximum rate.

Family Tax Benefit Part B — A per-family payment for single-income households and single carers. Maximum of $200.34 per fortnight (youngest child under 5) or $139.86 (child 5–18). Single grandparent carers on the Age Pension receive Part B without a secondary income test.

Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) Grandparent — Grandparents on income support (Age Pension, DSP, JobSeeker) who are principal carers (65%+ care) can receive up to 100 hours per fortnight, with the subsidy covering up to 100% of fees capped at 120% of the hourly rate cap. They are exempt from the Activity Test — you do not need to prove work or study hours.

Parenting Payment Single — Income support for single principal carers of a child under 14. Can be more than the Age Pension supplement in some circumstances.

Double Orphan Pension — Non-means-tested, tax-free payment if both parents are deceased, or one is deceased and the other is indefinitely incapacitated, serving a prison sentence of at least 10 years, or remains unlocated after reasonable search efforts.

Carer Allowance — $162.60 per fortnight from 1 January 2026 if the child meets the care criteria for a disability or medical condition. It has no assets test, but a combined annual income limit of $250,000 applies.

Rent Assistance — If you are receiving FTB Part A or income support and paying private rent.

To start claiming: call the Centrelink Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Advisers at 1800 245 965. They handle claims specifically for grandparents and kinship carers.

State and Territory Grants

Each state offers different programs. Key examples:

Western Australia:

• Grandcarers Support Scheme (GSS) — $1,000 per grandchild per year, plus $500/$250 cost-of-living top-up (2026–27) and $377 Gold Card energy relief. For grandparents providing informal full-time care for at least four months. Administered by Wanslea (Uplyft), 1800 794 909.

Victoria:

• Kinship care allowance through DFFH for formal kinship carers

New South Wales:

• Guardianship allowance for carers with court orders

Queensland:

• High Support Needs Allowance and Complex Support Needs Allowance for eligible formal carers

Each state's program has its own eligibility rules. The important point: state grants like the WA GSS are tax-free and explicitly excluded from Centrelink income testing. They do not reduce your pension.

What You Need to Prove

The main hurdle is not eligibility — it is evidence. To claim FTB and other payments for a child without court orders, Centrelink needs proof that you are the primary carer:

• A statutory declaration describing the care arrangement
• School enrolment showing you as primary contact
• A GP letter confirming the child attends appointments with you
• Medicare card listing showing the child on your card

You submit these through a Change of Care process. If the biological parent disputes the change, Centrelink conducts a formal care assessment using evidence from both parties. Your address and personal details are protected under the Privacy Act 1988.

Non-Grandparent Relatives

Aunts, uncles and older siblings can claim most Centrelink payments (FTB, Parenting Payment, Rent Assistance). They cannot access ACCS Grandparent (grandparents only) or state grants restricted to grandparents, like the WA GSS. An employed aunt claiming childcare support uses standard Child Care Subsidy, subject to the Activity Test and income testing.

The WA-Specific Picture

If you are a grandparent raising a grandchild in Western Australia, the combination of federal and state payments can add meaningfully to your income. Our WA Kinship Carer Support Guide covers every available payment, the evidence requirements, and step-by-step application instructions — all in one document, so you are not piecing it together across agencies.

See more Western Australia guides →