Caring full-time for a partner with a health condition, injury or disability

A young person may be caring for a spouse or partner who has a health condition, injury, or disability and who needs to be cared for on a full-time basis.

This can be a full or partial exemption.

The young person must provide proof from a health professional:

• that their spouse or partner needs the young person's full-time care
• that without that care their spouse or partner would need hospital care and
• the length of time their spouse or partner will need that care

This exemption can be granted for up to 12 months.

This exemption should then be reviewed. At the review you should discuss the young person's circumstances and consider whether it is appropriate to extend the exemption for a further period.

You can ask the young person to provide proof that their exemption should be extended.

If the young person is receiving an incentive payment and then qualifies for an exemption, you will need to decide if they can continue to receive it.

For more information see:

• Full or partial exemptions
• Obligations Incentive payments can continue