More detailed information is available in The What, Why and How of Family Assistance webpage or in booklet form from your nearest Family Assistance Office or by calling 13 61 50.
Please note that in order to claim Family Tax Benefit Part A, Family Tax Benefit Part B, the Baby Bonus, and Maternity Immunisation Allowance as outlined below, you must be an Australian resident or listed visa holder.
Regular Payments
The government family benefit payment scheme provides three regular payments for families:
- Family Tax Benefit Part A - general benefit to help with the cost of raising children - more details
- Family Tax Benefit Part B - extra help for single income families - more details
- Child Care Benefit - assistance with child care costs - more details
Family Tax Benefit Parts A & B are income tested and can be received as regular fortnightly payments. Alternatively, you can claim benefits as a lump sum at the end of the financial year. As of 1 July 2009, Family Tax Benefit can no longer be claimed as a lump sum through the Tax Office, all claims must be made through the Family Assistance Office through Medicare Australia or Centrelink. Check out your payment choices.
An application form for Family Tax Benefit Parts A & B will usually be provided in hospital at the time of birth. This copy will contain an official stamp from the hospital and should be used for any benefit claims.
Child care benefit is income tested and can only be claimed if you use an approved or registered care provider. Benefits are claimed through the Family Assistance Office, not the Tax system. Further details regarding approved care, registered care and payment systems are available online here or by phoning the Child Care Access Hotline on 1800 670 305.
One-off Payments
In addition to the above payments, there are three one-off payments available to qualifying families:
Baby Bonus
The baby bonus is a one off payment of just over $5000 made to eligible families to help with the extra costs of a new child (including adopted and stillborn children). Payments are made for each child in a multiple birth.
- For children who are born or who enter care before 1 January 2009 - The payment is not means tested and is made as a lump sum. If the claimant is 17 years of age or under, the payment is paid in 13 equal fortnightly instalments. To be eligible, claimants must be the parent or carer of a newborn child within 13 weeks of the child's birth and be likely to have care of the child for no less than 13 weeks. In the case of adoption the child must have come into the claimant's care before the child is 2 years of age. Claims for the Baby Bonus must be lodged within 26 weeks of the child's birth or adoption.
- For children who are born or who enter care after 1 January 2009 - The payment will only be paid if the family's combined taxable income for a period of 6 months commencing on the date the child was born is equal to or less than $75000. Payment is made in 13 equal fortnightly instalments. To be eligible, claimants must be the parent or carer of a newborn child within 26 weeks of the child's birth and be likely to have care of the child for no less than 26 weeks. In the case of adoption the child must have come into the claimant's care before the child is 16 years of age. Claims for the Baby Bonus must be lodged within 52 weeks of the child's birth or adoption.
Claims can be lodged online or by calling the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50.
Read more detailed info about the Baby Bonus on the FAO website.
Maternity Immunisation Allowance (MIA)
The Maternity Immunisation Allowance (MIA) is a non-income tested benefit paid for a child who is fully immunised on schedule or has an approved exemption from immunisation between the age of 18-24 months, and again between the age of 4 to 5 years.
- If you did not qualify for the MIA for your child before they turned 2 years of age, under the rules that applied prior to 1 January 2009, you can still receive the full amount of the MIA if your child is appropriately immunised before the age of 5, providing your claim is lodged on or before your child's 5th birthday.
- If you claimed the Baby Bonus, the Family Assistance Office will automatically assess your eligibility for the MIA. If you did not claim the Baby Bonus, you will need to claim the MIA through the Family Assistance Office (FAO). The FAO can be contacted on 13 61 50.
Read more detailed info about the Maternity Immunisation Allowance on the FAO website
Economic Security Strategy Payment (FTB part A)
The Economic Security Strategy Payment is a one-off payment of $1000 payable for each child eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A on 14 October 2008. Families receiving FTB Part A payments fortnightly will have received the payment during December 2008. Families who claim FTB Part A as a lump sum at the end of the financial year will receive their payment at the same time as their FTB Part A Payment. The payment is not considered taxable income nor income for social security or family assistance purposes.
Read more detailed info about the Economic Security Strategy Payment on the FAO website
Tax Offsets
The Child Care Tax Rebate
The Child Care Tax Benefit (CCTB) is additional help available to eligible working families to help cover the cost of child care.
The Child Care Tax Rebate covers 50% of out of pocket costs for approved child care. Out of pocket costs are calculated as total fees charged for approved child care LESS actual Child Care Benefit (CCB) entitlement received.
Out of pocket Costs = Child care fees - CCB received
To be eligible for the rebate, families must be eligible to receive CCB and meet the CCB Work/Training/Study Test. Families who are eligible for Child Care Benefit, but who receive a zero rate entitlement due to high income are still eligible for The Child Care Tax Rebate. Families can elect to receive the Rebate quarterly or annually with a maximum Rebate of up to $7500 per child per year payable through the scheme.
The Rebate is claimed through the tax system and administered by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Families will need to retain their child care receipts as a record of their total fee charged per child in child care.
Read more detailed info about the Child Care Tax Rebate
Other Payments
The following additional payments may be available to eligible parents:
- Large Family Supplement
- Multiple Birth Allowance
- Rent Assistance
- Health Care Cards
- Double Orphan Pension
- Jobs, Education and Training (JET) Child Care fee assistance
If you have unusual circumstances or have any queries regarding benefits, please consult the Family Assistance Office for advice on 13 61 50.