3.6.7.43 CA (child) to CA (adult) transfer process
Note: The following transition rules apply where the child turns 16 years and 3 months of age ON or AFTER 1 April 2023. Transition rules for children reaching these age milestones BEFORE this date can be found at 3.6.7.42.
Summary
Transition from CA (child) to CA (adult) is not automatic and transfer documentation must be completed, lodged and assessed under the ADAT (1.1.A.78).
Services Australia will contact the carer when the child reaches 15 years and 6 months of age, with instructions on how to complete the child to adult transfer process.
Transition rules
A carer in receipt of CA (child) can remain qualified for CA up to and including the date the child turns 16 years and 3 months of age, or in some cases until the adult assessment is completed.
The date the carer submits the completed child to adult transfer documentation determines whether CA (child) can continue until the adult assessment is completed. The table below provides greater detail about these scenarios.
| If … | then … |
|---|---|
| documentation is submitted ON or BEFORE the child’s 16th birthday | CA is guaranteed to continue until an assessment under the adult provisions has occurred. |
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Explanation: Where the carer submits all necessary CA child to adult transfer documentation ON or BEFORE the child's 16th birthday, eligibility for CA (child) is guaranteed to continue until the adult assessment is completed if this is after the child turns 16 years and 3 months of age. Where the child:
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| If … | then … |
| documentation submitted AFTER the child turns 16 years and ON or BEFORE they reach 16 and 3 months | CA will cease when the child reaches 16 years and 3 months, unless an assessment under the adult provisions has been completed. |
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Explanation: Where the carer submits all CA child to adult transfer documentation AFTER the day the child turns 16 years, no payment continuation guarantee exists. CA (child) will continue to be paid until the day after the child turns 16 years and 3 months. On this date:
Example: Helen qualifies for CA (child) for her daughter Bella. Helen lodges the CA child to adult transfer documentation 11 weeks after Bella turns 16. Helen remains qualified for CA (child) until the day after Bella reaches 16 years and 3 months of age, at which time her CA payment is cancelled. When Helen's CA (adult) assessment is completed, Bella achieves a qualifying ADAT score and Helen’s CA (adult) is granted. As Helen submitted the child to adult transfer documentation before Bella turned 16 years and 3 months of age, her CA is backdated to the date of CA (child) cancellation. |
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| If … | then … |
| documentation submitted AFTER the child turns 16 years and 3 months | CA ceases when the child reaches 16 years and 3 months. |
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Explanation: If the CA child to adult transfer documentation is submitted within 13 weeks of the date CA (child) was cancelled, it is considered a review of CA (child) cancellation. If a qualifying ADAT score is achieved, CA (adult) is granted, and payment backdated to the date of CA (child) cancellation. CA child to adult transfer documentation cannot lodged more than 13 weeks after the date of CA (child) cancellation. In these circumstances a new CA (adult) claim needs to be completed and lodged. Where this claim achieves a qualifying ADAT score, CA (adult) will be granted from the date the claim was lodged, and NO backdating provisions apply. |
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Where CA child to adult transfer documentation is submitted, and before the before child’s 16th birthday the carer lodges a claim for CP (child), the child to adult transfer documentation can be used to assess eligibility for both CA (adult) and CP (adult).
Carer qualified for caring for 2 children with disability
A carer can qualify for CA based on the combined DCLA (1.1.D.170) score of 2 children, each with disability or a medical condition (3.6.7.40). When one of the children is turning 16 years and 3 months of age, (depending on the individuals to whom they provide care) the carer may apply for:
- CA (adult) for the child turning 16 years and 3 months
- CA (child) for the child not turning 16 years and 3 months, and/or
- CA (child) for caring for 2 children with disability - if the carer has a third child (who was not part of the original CA qualification for 2 children) with disability or a medical condition to whom they also provide care.
Qualification for CA in respect of 2 children will continue until:
- one of the children turns 16 years and 3 months of age, OR
- if CA (child) to CA (adult) transfer documentation for this child is submitted on or before the child’s 16th birthday, until the ADAT assessment is completed.
Example: Heidee qualified for CA based on the combined DCLA scores of her 2 children, Emil and Henrik. Emil turned 16 years of age on 5 January and Heidee submitted the CA child to adult transfer documents in December, some weeks before his 16th birthday. Emil’s condition has worsened as he has matured, requiring an increased level of support, and when assessed under the adult provisions, his ADAT score qualifies Heidee for CA (adult). Heidee continues to be paid under CA (child) provisions until the day after Emil reaches 16 years and 3 months of age, and transfers to CA (adult) on 6 April.
Heidee has a 5 year old daughter Millie who has recently been diagnosed with a learning disability. When she submitted the child to adult transfer forms for Emil, she also submitted a CA (child) claim for Millie, and a new CA (child) claim for Henrik as his last assessment under the DCLA was more than 2 years old. Once assessed, although neither Millie nor Henrik achieve a qualifying DCLA score individually, their combined scores qualify Heidee for CA (child). Payment of CA (child) for Millie and Henrik will commence from 6 April, the day after CA (child) for Emil and Henrik ceases. From this date Heidee will be paid both CA (adult) for care provided to Emil, and one payment of CA (child) for the care she provides to Millie and Henrik.
Act reference: SSAct section 953 Qualification for CA - caring for either 1 or 2 disabled children
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.7.30 Qualification for CA, 3.6.7.40 Qualification for CA (child) with combined DCLA scores of 2 children
Qualification for CA (child) through CP (child)
A carer qualified for CA (child) through qualification for CP (child) will continue to receive CA (child) until CP (child) eligibility ceases.
The CP child to adult transfer documentation can be used to reassess CA (adult) eligibility. There is no requirement for the carer who receives CA (child) based on CP (child) qualification to complete a separate claim for CA (adult), even where the carer only wishes to apply for CA (adult) and not CP.
Act reference: SSAct section 953A Remaining qualified for CA after child turns 16, section 954B Qualification for CA-receiving CP for caring for child or children
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.4.10 Qualification for CP, 3.6.4.34 CP (child) to CP (adult) transfer process, 3.6.7.30 Qualification for CA, 3.6.7.35 Qualification for CA (child) - automatic qualification for CA (child) through qualification for CP (child)
Carer qualified for a child who has a terminal condition
A carer qualified for CA (child) through qualification for CP (child), for a child who has a terminal condition, remains qualified for CA (child) and CP (child) until the child turns 18 years, provided they continue to meet all other qualification provisions. If all CP (child) to CP (adult) documentation is submitted on or before the day the child turns 18, qualification under the child provisions will continue until the CP (adult) and / or CA (adult) assessment is completed.
Act reference: SSAct section 197E Qualification-child who has a terminal condition, section 954B Qualification for CA-receiving CP for caring for child or children
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.4.10 Qualification for CP, 3.6.4.33 Qualification for CP (child) - child who has a terminal condition, 3.6.7.35 Qualification for CA (child) - automatic qualification for CA (child) through qualification for CP (child)
Carer qualified for short term or episodic care
Qualification for CA (child) through qualification for CP (child) does not cease for short term or episodic care (3.6.4.38) if the child turns 16 years and 3 months before the end of the period determined by the delegate, provided they continue to meet all other qualification provisions.
A carer qualified for CA (child) through qualification for CP (child) for short term or episodic care (3.6.4.38) will remain qualified for CA (child) until CP (child) ceases.
Act reference: SSAct section 197G Qualification-short term or episodic care of children, section 954B Qualification for CA-receiving CP for caring for child or children
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.4.10 Qualification for CP, 3.6.4.38 Qualification for CP (child) - short term or episodic care, 3.6.7.30 Qualification for CA, 3.6.7.35 Qualification for CA (child) - automatic qualification for CA (child) through qualification for CP (child), 3.10.5 Dates of effect