And as I said in my comment earlier, when I can get Centrelink on the phone I'll get your answer for you... if ever they answer.

I can understand your concern with the defacto thing though, I've shared house with guys as housemates for most of my life and some Centrelink staff can really run you through the wringer with some very horrifically personal questions, not to mention the things they can ask your friends, neighbours, family members, boyfriend!!! OMG the trouble that can cause!

But that aside, you still need to know if his income as a carer will effect your pension if he's working as well, so I'll see what I can find out for you.

You may get Carer Payment (adult) if you provide constant care in the home of the person you care for and they are:

• a person aged 16 or over with a severe disability or medical condition, or
• an adult with moderate care needs and supervision of their dependent child if this child is under six years of age, or between six and 16 years of age and attracts payment of Carer Allowance
  and
   
• you meet the income and assets tests
• you are an Australian resident or allowed to live here permanently (a two year waiting period may apply for recently arrived migrants).

The person you care for needs to:

• be over 16 and getting an income support payment from Centrelink, a Veterans' Affairs Service Pension or Partner Service Pension, or
• be unable to get any of these payments because they have not lived in Australia long enough to qualify, or
• meet the special care receiver income and assets limits, and
• be an Australian resident.

Please Note: You need a health professional's report to help establish eligibility.

Payment rates appear below as a guide only and are effective from 20 March 2008. Contact your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre for a personal assessment. This payment is made as a fortnightly payment into your bank or other account.

• This payment is subject to an income test.
• This payment is subject to an assets test.

*Since July 2000 this payment has included a pension supplement. The supplement is currently $18.80 for single customers, $15.80 each for couples and $18.80 each for couples separated due to ill health.

Please Note: This payment may be payable for up to 63 days in a calendar year during a period of respite or while the care receiver is in hospital.

• Education Entry Payment of $208 may be available.
• Employment Entry Payment of $104 may be available.
• Rent Assistance may also be payable.
• Remote Area Allowance may be payable.
• Telephone Allowance may be payable.
• A $500 Advance Payment of Carer Payment may be available.
• You may also be eligible for a Pensioner Concession Card.
• If you are studying, a Pensioner Education Supplement may be payable When are payments adjusted?

  If you are getting a payment from Centrelink, the amount you get can be adjusted because:

  your circumstances change or a family member's circumstances change. This may include your income increasing, moving to a new house or separating from your partner. For more information, go to What You Need To Tell Us.
• the maximum rate of payment changes. At certain times throughout the year, the maximum rate of payment a customer can receive for a certain payment is adjusted, normally in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). For more information, go to Adjusting Maximum Payment Rates.

If you would like to read some more go to

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/carer_adult.htm

That's where this was copied from.

I don't understand why you are worrying so much. If you aren't doing anything wrong and you have nothing to hide then you should also have nothing to worry about.

As far as I know you can live with males, I have in the past as roomies, and if your not defacto then your payments don't change. However if he is going to get carers payments you might want to ring centrelink and ask for the booklets so you can have a read. You will need the carers payment booklet.

You will never get in trouble unless you have done something wrong, and in cases where they suspect that you are they do check. I know people who have been caught in various ways. I have dobbed them in, others have dobbed them in and centrelink can hire people to watch you. I am a firm believer in people deserving what they get if they choose to cheat the system.

As you have said, your not de facto so you wont have any problems.

ok about the male being aroundd the same age you and him will need to write a letter to centrelink which needs to say something along the lines that yes you live together but no there isn't a relationship happening and that you have seperate rooms etc.

The rest i cannot help you with.

Our favourite Centre- We-Don't-Link! lol. 

I believe that you have to go through an assessment over such matters, but there are other members (see responses below) who have more info than I do, so minti mail them for more assistance.  I promise they don't bite! lol.

Curiosity has killed this cat and only satisfaction will bring it back... if Centrelink will ever answer the damn phone I'll find out for you! LOL Sometimes finding out the information that you need requires knowing exactly the right questions to ask, and knowing who to talk to how to say it can make a world of difference.... and they still aren't answering! ARGH! No wonder you posted here! Seems you'll get answers a lot faster this way! LOL

I am on a disability pension and my hubby is my carerer. he gets a carerers pension and allowance. my payment is not affected.