The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds disability services and supports in Australia. It provides individual support for people with permanent and significant disability, their families and carers. The NDIS aims to provide people with a disability with choice, control and flexibility in the management of their program of services and supports.
Assistance from the NDIS is not means tested and does not impact on income support such as the disability support pension or carers allowance.
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Children and young people under 26 receive hearing services through the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program through Community Service Obligations (CSO) eligibility. Hearing Australia provides services under the program’s CSO.
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Carer Allowance (child) is a supplementary payment for parents or carers who provide daily care and attention for children with a disability or severe medical condition at home. For the purposes of the Carers Allowance (Child), a young person under the age of 16 with a “45 decibels or more hearing loss in the better ear, based on a 4 frequency pure tone average (using 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000Hz)”, is automatically considered to be a child with a disability. As a result, their parent or carer will receive the allowance without need for further medical assessment until the child turns 16 years of age. There is an income test but no assets test.
If you receive a Carers Allowance (Child), your child becomes an excepted person under Australian Tax Office rulings, which may entitle you to some tax benefits. For further information consult the Australian Tax Office and/or your accountant.
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The Carer Payment can help you if you provide constant care to someone for at least 6 months. Constant care means you provide care for a large amount of time daily. This is roughly equal to a normal working day. This care stops you from working full time.
If you aren’t eligible for one person, you may be eligible for Carer Payment if you care for two or more children with disability or medical conditions.
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The Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Medicare items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) enable GPs to plan and coordinate the health care of patients with chronic medical conditions, including patients with conditions who require multidisciplinary, team-based care from a GP and at least two other health or care providers.
Whether a patient is eligible for CDM services is a clinical judgement for the GP, taking into account the patient’s medical condition and care needs, as well as the general guidance set out in the MBS.
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Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is not intended as a substitute for independent professional advice.
