19/10/2026
Finding out what supports are available when you’re raising a child with disability shouldn’t be this hard.
But too often, it’s buried in forms, links, and fine print that makes it difficult to even know where to start.
That’s why we've pulled together a clear list of financial and practical supports available to carers and families across NSW.
💰️Financial Supports
🔹Carer Allowance – A fortnightly payment for carers who provide additional daily care for a person with disability. No asset test applies, but an income test does.
🔗https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/carer-allowance
🔹Carer Payment – An income-support payment for people who provide constant care for someone with disability or medical needs. Eligibility is based on your income and assets (including your partner’s).
🔗https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/carer-payment
🔹Carer Registration Refund – If you receive the Carer Allowance, you may be eligible for a refund on your vehicle registration fees.
🔗https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-carers-registration-refund
🔹No Interest Loan Scheme – Provides safe, affordable access to credit for people on low incomes.
🔗https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/find-a-no-interest-loans-scheme-nils-provider
🔹Essential Medical Equipment Payment – Annual payment to help cover energy costs for essential medical equipment or temperature regulation due to medical needs.
🔗https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/essential-medical-equipment-payment
🔹Continence Aids Payment Scheme – Yearly payment to help with the cost of continence products.
🔗https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/continence-aids-payment-scheme-caps
🔹Health Care Card – Provides discounts on prescription medicines, bulk-billed doctor visits (where available), and concessions on utilities, public transport, and other services.
🔗https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/health-care-card
🔹Isolated Patients Travel & Accommodation Scheme (IPTAAS) – Financial assistance for travel and accommodation if you need to travel long distances for medical treatment.
🔗https://www.iptaas.health.nsw.gov.au/for-patients
🤝Practical Supports
🔹MyTime – Peer support groups run by a trained facilitator, both in person and online, for parents and carers raising children with disability.
🔗https://www.mytime.net.au/
🔹Carer Gateway Tailored Support Packages – Services and supports based on your needs as a carer, such as help with household tasks, planned respite, or assistance with education and training.
🔗https://www.carergateway.gov.au/help-and-support/caring-me/available-support-carers/tailored-support-packages
🔹Parent Line NSW – Free, confidential phone counselling for parents and carers. Counsellors can support with parenting questions, child development, managing challenging behaviours, and navigating family stress.
🔗https://www.parentline.org.au/
🔹Relationships Australia NSW – Counselling, mediation, and group workshops to support carers. Fees are based on income, but no one is turned away due to financial difficulties.
🔗https://www.relationshipsnsw.org.au/support/services/
🔹National Debt Helpline – Free, independent financial counselling to help families manage debt and connect with legal advice, housing support or emergency relief services if needed.
🔗https://ndh.org.au/
🔹Mobility Parking Scheme – Provides parking concessions for people with medical conditions or disabilities that affect mobility or vision. With a permit, you can park in disability spaces and may be eligible for extended time limits or free parking in some locations.
🔗https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-replace-or-renew-a-mobility-parking-scheme-permit-individual
🔹Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) – Provides access to locked public facilities such as accessible bathrooms, Changing Places facilities, and some National Parks.
🔗https://masterlocksmiths.com.au/mlak/
📖 To explore even more supports and savings, visit our Belongside Families resources:
🔗https://belongsidefamilies.org.au/resource/for-carers-and-families-financial-support/
