Techniques for supporting communication on multiple carriers are disclosed. In one design, a user equipment (UE) is configured with a base carrier and a dependent carrier linked to the base carrier. Data transmission on the dependent carrier is scheduled via a scheduling carrier, which is different from the dependent carrier. The UE receives a scheduling grant on the scheduling carrier and determines whether the scheduling grant is for the base carrier and/or the dependent carrier. The UE communicates (e.g., sends or receives data) on the base carrier and/or the dependent carrier based on the scheduling grant. The scheduling grant may be (i) a separate grant carrying scheduling information for only one carrier, (ii) a common grant carrying scheduling information for both carriers, (iii) a joint grant carrying separate scheduling information for each carrier, or (iv) a composite grant that may be a separate grant, a common grant, or a joint grant.