Examples of other income - couples caring for a person
The rates of benefit used in the following examples are as at 1 April 2026.
Example 1
Couple (no dependent children), one partner working full-time, and the other partner providing full-time care for a person.
The couple's income is $848.00 gross per week.
Income deduction 35 cents for every $1.00 earned over $13,000 per year
$848.00 gross per week | ||
less | $250.00 ($13,000 ÷ 52 weeks) | |
$598.00 x 35 cents = | $209.30 income deduction |
Income deduction 15 cents for every $1.00 earned over $8,320 per year but equal to or less than $13,000 per year
$250.00 gross per week | ||
less | $160.00 ($8,320 ÷ 52 weeks) | |
$90.00 x 15 cents = | $13.50 income deduction | |
Total income deduction | $222.80 | |
client | partner | |
maximum benefit payable (no dependent children) | $360.72 | $360.72 |
less income deduction | $222.80 | $222.80 |
Benefit payable | $137.92 plus | $137.92 |
equals | $275.84 |
As $275.84 is less than the maximum rate of Supported Living Payment of $360.72 (as at 1 April 2026) paid to care for a person with no dependent children, you pay the client $275.84 per week.
Example 2
Couple (no dependent children), one partner working part-time and the other partner providing full-time care for a person.
The couple's income is $370.00 gross per week.
Income deduction 35 cents for every $1.00 earned over $13,000 per year
$370.00 gross per week | ||
less | $250.00 ($13,000 ÷ 52 weeks) | |
$120.00 x 35 cents = | $42.00 deduction |
Income deduction 15 cents for every $1.00 earned over $8,320 per year, but equal to or less than $13,000 per year
$250.00 gross per week | ||
less | $160.00 ($8,320 ÷ 52 weeks) | |
$90.00 x 15 cents = | $13.50 income deduction | |
Total income deduction | $55.50 | |
client | partner | |
maximum benefit payable for a couple (no dependent children) | $360.72 | $360.72 |
less income deduction | $55.50 | $55.50 |
Benefit payable | $305.22 | $305.22 |
| equals | $610.44 |
As $610.44 is more than the maximum rate of Supported Living Payment of $360.72 (as at 1 April 2026) paid to care for a person, you pay the client $360.72 per week.
$360.72 is the maximum Supported Living Payment rate for a client with no dependent children when the partner is working part-time.
Example 3
Couple with a dependent child, one partner working part-time, the other partner providing full-time care for a person.
The couple's income is $370.00 gross per week.
Income deduction 35 cents for every $1.00 earned over $13,000 per year
$370.00 gross per week | ||
less | $250.00 ($13,000 ÷ 52 weeks) | |
$120.00 x 35 cents = | $42.00 deduction |
Income deduction 15 cents for every $1.00 earned over $8,320 per year, but equal to or less than $13,000 per year
$250.00 gross per week | ||
less | $160.00 ($8,320 ÷ 52 weeks) | |
$90.00 x 15 cents = | $13.50 income deduction | |
Total income deduction | $55.50 | |
client | partner | |
maximum benefit payable for a couple (with a dependent child) | $378.47 | $378.47 |
less income deduction | $55.50 | $55.50 |
Benefit payable | $322.97 plus | $322.97 |
equals | $645.94 |
As $645.94 is more than the maximum rate of Supported Living Payment of $378.47 (as at 1 April 2026) paid to care for a person, you pay the client $392.94 per week.
The maximum rate for a client with dependent children when the partner is working part-time and not getting a benefit in their own right is $392.94 per week.
Example 4
Couple with a dependent child, one partner working full-time and the other partner providing full-time care for a person.
The couple's income is $681.00 gross per week.
Income deduction 35 cents for every $1.00 earned over $13,000 per year
($681.00 x 52 weeks) $35,412.00 gross annually | ||
less | $13,000 | |
$22,412 x 35 cents = $7,844.20 ÷ 52 weeks | $150.85 deduction |
Income deduction 15 cents for every $1.00 earned over $8,320 per year but equal to or less than $13,000 per year
$250.00 gross per week | ||
less | $160.00 ($8,320 ÷ 52 weeks) | |
$90.00 x 15 cents = | $13.50 income deduction | |
Total income deduction | $164.35 | |
client | partner | |
maximum benefit payable for a couple (with a dependent child) | $378.47 | $378.47 |
less income deduction | $164.35 | $164.35 |
Benefit payable | $214.12 plus | $214.12 |
equals | $428.24 |
As $428.24 is more than the maximum rate of Supported Living Payment of $378.47 (as at 1 April 2026) generally paid to care for a person, you pay the client $392.94 per week.
The maximum Supported Living Payment rate for a client with a dependent child when the partner is working full-time and not getting a benefit in their own right is $392.94 per week.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Rates of benefits: Supported living payment part 3 schedule 4, Social Security Act 2018
