Key information
- Financial support for carers or guardians continuing care for young adults who have been in care.
- Applications can be made at least six weeks prior to the young person turning 18.
What are Extended Carer Payments?
Extender Carer Payments provide financial support for foster carers, formal kinship carers or third-party guardians who support a young adult after their Care and Protection Order, under the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997, lapses at 18 years of age.
Extended carer payments are based on the rates for young people aged 12-17 years. The payments reduce each year to reflect the young adult’s increasing responsibilities as they transition to independence.
Eligibility criteria
- The young adult was in family-based care on a Care and Protection Order under the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997, prior to turning 18 years of age.
- The carer(s)/guardian(s) are an approved carer by the Department for Education, Children and Young People and/or a foster/kinship care agency
- The young adult must be aged 18, 19 or 20 years.
- The young adult agrees to continue to reside in the carer(s)/guardian(s) home beyond turning 18 years of age.
- The carer(s)/guardian(s) agrees to the young adult continuing to live in their home after the young adult is 18 years of age.
- The young adult must live with the carer(s)/guardian(s) on a full-time basis (at least four nights per week).
How to apply
Extended Carer Payments are administered by the After Care Support Service, through the Transition to Independence (T2i) Program.
Talk to the After Care Support team to discuss eligibility and how to apply.
Application can be made at least six weeks prior to the young person’s 18th birthday to ensure continuity of payments.
Contact details are below.
Frequently asked questions about Extended Carer Payments
I am 20 years old. Is my foster carer eligible to apply for extended carer payments?
Yes. Family based carers can apply for extended carer payments to support young adults aged 18, 19 or 20 years old. The payments will stop when a young adult turns 21 years old.
How do payments reduce?
- 18 years – Payments are maintained at the existing 12-17 age rates.
- 19 years – Payments are reduced to the base rate for foster care.
- 20 years – Payments are reduced to 50 per cent of the base rate until the young adult turns 21.
What happens when the young adult and/or carer/guardian no longer want to continue living together?
This is a voluntary arrangement and either the young adult and/or family based carer can cease the arrangement at any time. You will need to notify the Transition to Independence (T2i) Program if you no longer live together. If you are having difficulties with your living arrangement and need help to work through some issues, you can contact the T2i Program for support.
I was previously supported by a foster and/or kinship agency. Where can I get support now?
Support is provided through the Department for Education, Children and Young People After Care Support Service.
I have responsibility for caring for a young person pursuant to a Family Court order. Can we apply for the extended carer payments when they reach 18 years of age?
No. These payments are only for young adults aged 18, 19 or 20 years old, who were previously on a Care and Protection Order under the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997.
I’ve moved back into my foster carer’s home after living independently for a while. Can we apply for the extended carer payments?
Yes. If a young adult (aged 18 to 20 years) returns to live with a formally approved primary carer, following a period of time living independently, then an application can be submitted/re-submitted for extended carer payments.
The young adult in my care has commenced paid employment. How will this impact extended carer payments?
Extended carer payments will not change if the young adult is earning an income. Commencing paid employment is a great step towards the young adult taking responsibility for their own wellbeing and affairs as they transition to independence.
Contact us to apply
Contact the After Care Support team to discuss eligibility and how to apply.
Phone: 1300 654 583
Email: aftercaresupport@decyp.tas.gov.au