The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

1.1.C.10 Care & attention (CA)

Definition

For the purposes of CA, care and attention refers to the requirement that the carer provide at least some additional care and attention to a person because of a disability or severe medical condition that would not be required if they did not have a disability.

Delegation of care & attention

A person who qualifies for CA CANNOT delegate the care and attention of the CA child or adult to others, except for:

  • temporary cessation of care
  • hospitalisation, OR
  • education or training or treatment other than treatment in hospital (CA (child) only).

Note: It is possible for a care receiver to be 'disabled' according to their relevant assessment tool, and NOT receive care and attention on a daily basis because of their disability. In these cases the claim must be rejected. A carer may be providing considerable additional care but that care is not necessarily required because of the disability.

Example: A child with severe asthma requiring hospitalisation when young may be able to self administer medication as they get older to manage their own condition. If the condition can be managed by the young person the parent/carer may not qualify for CA if the child does not require extra care and attention because of the disability.

Explanation: Medical reviews will generally address cases in which a child becomes better able to cope with the impairment after the claim is granted, and no longer receives additional care.

Note: In situations where the carer and adult care receiver do not live together the care and attention must be received by the care receiver on a daily basis, for at least 20 hours per week. More information about assessing qualification for CA in these circumstances is provided in 3.6.7.45.

Act reference: SSAct section 953 Qualification for CA-caring for either 1 or 2 disabled children, section 954 Qualification for CA-caring for a disabled adult …, section 954A Qualification for CA-caring for a disabled adult in a private home not shared by the adult and carer, section 1061ZK Qualification: general rules

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.7 CA - qualification & payability, 3.6.7.45 Qualification for CA - carer & care receiver not co-resident

Last reviewed: