Grandcarers Support Scheme WA: Eligibility, Payments and How to Apply

The Grandcarers Support Scheme is the WA state government's annual payment for grandparents raising grandchildren outside the formal foster care system. If you've taken on a grandchild full-time and you're managing on a pension, this is one of the first things to apply for — and the 2026–27 budget made it worth more than ever.

Who Qualifies for the Grandcarers Support Scheme

Eligibility is strict on relationship and care type. You must be:

• The child's biological, marital (including step), de facto, or culturally defined grandparent (aunts, uncles, siblings, and family friends are excluded)
• An Australian citizen or permanent visa holder who permanently resides in Western Australia, providing full-time primary care for at least four months
• Caring for a child under 18
• Operating under an informal arrangement — if you receive regular financial support from the Department of Communities, such as a foster care subsidy or Special Guardianship Order payment, you're excluded

The scheme is administered by Uplyft (formerly Wanslea) under contract with the Department of Communities. It's a state grant, not a Centrelink entitlement, so there's no means test and it does not reduce your pension.

How Much the Scheme Pays

The base payment is $1,000 per eligible grandchild per year.

The 2026–27 WA State Budget added a cost-of-living top-up funded by a $6.1 million allocation over four years:

• $500 extra for the first grandchild
• $250 extra for each additional grandchild

So a grandparent raising one grandchild receives $1,500 in the 2026–27 financial year. Two grandchildren: $1,750.

On top of that, the state introduced the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card, which provides a one-off $377.14 Energy Bill Relief Payment per household. Further discounts and benefits are planned. Register through the ServiceWA app by 30 November 2026 to receive the 2026 payment.

How to Apply

The GSS application window opens 1 July each year. To apply:

1. Contact the Grandcare team by email at [email protected] or phone 1800 794 909 for a phone eligibility assessment.
2. After the assessment, Uplyft emails or posts the application documents, including a statutory declaration and 100 points of ID.
3. Complete and return the documents to Uplyft.

The application includes proof of WA residency and evidence of full-time primary care, such as the requested statutory declaration.

After Uplyft forwards your completed application to the Department of Communities, payment may take up to six weeks to reach your nominated bank account. Missing documents can delay the process, so return the requested statutory declaration and identity evidence together.

Renewals

The GSS is an annual grant, so you reapply each financial year. Uplyft contacts existing recipients with renewal information, but don't wait for the letter — mark 1 July in your calendar and submit early. The Gold Card requires separate registration through ServiceWA; register by 30 November 2026 to receive the one-off energy payment.

What If You're Refused

Because the GSS is an administrative grant and not a statutory entitlement, you can't take a refusal to a tribunal. You can request an internal review through Wanslea management. If you believe the process was unfair, the WA Ombudsman accepts complaints about state-administered programs.

Non-Grandparent Relatives

If you're an aunt, uncle, or older sibling raising a child, you cannot access the Grandcarers Support Scheme. Your main financial routes are Centrelink Family Tax Benefit (Part A and B), the standard Child Care Subsidy, and — if the child is at documented risk of harm — the Additional Child Care Subsidy (Child Wellbeing) stream.

The WA Kinship Carer Support Guide maps both the grandparent-specific and general relative pathways, so you can see exactly which payments apply to your situation.

See more Western Australia guides →