government family benefit payments
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This page deals with the main government family benefit payments with links being provided to sources of further information. If you have unusual circumstances or have any queries regarding benefits, consult the Family Assistance Office for further information and advice on 13 61 50.

A guide to Family Assistance - call The What, Why and How of Family Assistance is available online here or in booklet form from your nearest Family Assistance Office or by calling 13 61 50.

regular payments

The government family benefit payment scheme provides three regular payments for families:

  • Family Tax Benefit Part A (read more)
       general benefit to help with the cost of raising children

  • Family Tax Benefit Part B (read more)
       extra help for single income families

  • Child Care Benefit (read more)
       assistance with child care costs


Family Tax Benefit Parts A & B can be received as regular fortnightly payments. Alternatively, you can claim benefits as a lump sum at the end of the financial year through the Tax Office. For more information on payment options, click here.

An application form for Family Tax Benefit A & B will usually be provided in hospital. This copy will contain an official stamp from the hospital and should be used for any benefit claims.

Child care benefit 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.

one-off payments
In addition to the above payments, there are three one-off payments available to qualifying families:

  • Maternity Payment (more info)
       money to help with the extra costs of a new baby. The payment is currently (May 2005) $3,000, but is due to rise to $4,000 in July 2006 and $5,000 in July 2008 (see government budget document. The payment is not means tested, but there are eligibility requirements, such as Australian residency. This payment is applicable for babies born after 1 July 2004 and replaces the old Maternity Allowance and Baby Bonus (payable through the ATO). See more info below.
  • Maternity Immunisation Allowance (further details)
       allowance paid to eligible families in your child's 19th month if your child has
       been fully immunised or has an approved exemption from immunisation
       (read more about immunisation here).


A claim for Maternity Payment must be made within 26 weeks of the child's birth. An application form will usually be provided in hospital. This copy will contain an official stamp from the hospital and should be used for any benefit claims.

new payment schemes
The following payments were introduced in 2005.

  • 30% Child Care Tax Rebate (more info)
       This covers 30% of out of pocket costs for approved child care. Out of pocket costs are total fees charged for approved child care less actual Child Care Benefit (CCB) entitlement; to be eligible families must receive CCB and meet the CCB work/training/study test and there is a maximum Rebate payable of up to $4000 per child. The Rebate will be claimed through the tax system and administered by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
    For the first year of the Tax Rebate (2004-05) families will need to keep their child care receipts so they know how much their total fee charged was for each child in child care. Some families may not have kept their receipts and may approach child care services to provide replacement receipts or an annual statement of total fees charged.
  • Grandparent Child Care Benefit (GCCB) (further details)
       This payment is to provide assistance for grandparents who have the primary responsibility for raising and caring for their grandchildren.

The GCCB became available from 3 January 2005 and covers the full cost of child care fees charged for each child in approved care for up to 50 hours a week.


click to read newsletter article

New 30% Childcare Tax Rebate & Grandparent Child Care Benefit


replaced payment schemes
The following two payments have now been replaced by the Maternity Payment for children born after 1 July 2004. However, if your child was born before 1 July 2004, you may still be able to claim from these schemes, for more information, click on the links below

  • Maternity Allowance (more info)

  • Baby Bonus (more info)
    the Baby Bonus is a once-a-year payment which you maybe eligible for if you had a baby (or gained legal responsibility for a child under 5) after 30 June 2001 but before 1 July 2004. It is only available for one child per family. You can claim for the baby bonus at the end of the financial year in which your baby was born. Forms are available via links online or by calling the ATO on 1300 720 092.


other payments
The following additional payments may be available to eligible parents:

  • Large Family Supplement
  • Multiple Birth Allowance
  • Rent Assistance
  • Health Care Cards


To read more about these forms of benefit, click here.

For further information, contact the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50.

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