The Australian government supports eligible citizens with the cost of raising children through the Family Tax Benefit to ensure the children have a better life. Australians who need support to cover their child’s expenses can check the FTB payments.
$71.26 FTB Payment
Australians get government financial assistance in raising a child through the Family Tax Benefit. The cost of living is high in Australia, making the cost of education, medical care, food, transportation, and food high, which may be challenging for people with children.
The FTB focuses on removing the financial burden on parents or guardians. The payments come in two parts – Part A and Part B to financial relief to families with children. The Part A payment is for children raising costs, whereas Part B offers additional support based on family circumstances.
The eligible Australians receive support for raising the child under FTB Part A payment for each child. The citizens who qualify for the FTB Part A receive a biweekly payment of $71.26 for each child. This is the minimum rate, however, depending on your income you may get less. The FTB recipients can receive the FTB Part A at a maximum rate based on the child, such as:
Age | FTB Part A maximum Rate |
0 to 12 years | $222.04 |
13 to 15 years | $288.82 |
16 to 19 years | $288.82 |
0 to 19 years living in an approved care organization | $71.26 |
Supplement Payment Rates of FTB Payment
Under the FTB Part A payment, some recipients may be eligible for the supplement payment, which is an annual payment. The authority processes the annual supplement payment after they balance your payments at the end of the financial year runs from 01 July to 30 June.
The supplement payment under FTB Part A depends on no. of children under your care, your family’s income, if you share care, and the number of days you were eligible for Part A benefit. The family adjustable taxable income to receive the supplement payments should be $80,000 or less.
The FTB Part A supplement payment for FY 2023-24 was $879.65 per child. Now, for the 2024-25 FY, you will receive the supplement payment in July 2025. The supplement payment for 2024-25 FY will be up to $916.15 per child.
Who receives the FTB Part A payment?
People living in Australia who meet the following eligibility requirements receive the FTB Part A benefit:
- You care for a dependent child under 15 years of age. You may receive the benefit for a child aged between 16 and 19 years when he/she meets the study requirements.
- You care for the child for a minimum of 35% of your time.
- You are an Australian citizen or have a permanent Visa/ certain temporary Visa/ Special Category Visa.
- Your child must be living with you and have Australian citizenship/ a Special Category Visa/ Permanent Visa.
- You must meet the income test to receive the payment
Income Limit for FTB Part A payments
The Australian government uses the income test to determine your eligibility or payment rate.
The recipients should know the officials use the income test when your family’s taxable income is between $65,189 and $115,997.The income test reduces your payment for every dollar increase above the $65,189 and it stops when it reaches the base rate.
In some cases, the authority has set an annual income limit for the base rate, which depends on the number of children and their ages. Here’s the income limit to receive the base rate FTB Part A payment:
No. of Children | Age | Income Limit |
One | 0 -1 2 years | $84,845 |
13- 15 or 16-19 (Secondary study) | $93,550 | |
Two | 2 child age 0 -12 | $104,500 |
One child 0- 12 age and one child aged 13-15 or 16-19 | $113,205 |
If the family’s adjustable taxable income is over $115,997, the authority reduces the payout for each dollar earned over the limit by 30 cents.
How does the authority determine your FTB Part A payment?
As we have mentioned, the FTB Part A payment may differ from person to person as it depends on your family income and the number of children. The authority determines your FTB Part A payments for each eligible child based on the following:
- Income test and Adjustable taxable income:
- No. of children in your care and their ages whether they are dependent or studying in an approved program.
- If you share the child care with someone, the authority uses your care percentage to work on determining your payment rate.
- If you receive child support from the government, it may affect your payment rate.
- Your child should meet the Healthy Start for School and immunization requirements to ensure your payment does not get reduced. However, the applicants should be tension-free as the authority will notify them when their child does not meet any requirement before reducing the payment and suggest what they can do before they reduce the payment.
How to claim the FTB Payments?
Australians can claim the FTB payments for a new child, older child, or adopted child when they meet the eligibility. For a new child, you can apply early 3 months before the birth of the child or adoption or within 52 weeks of adoption or birth of the new child.
For older children, you can apply as soon as you and your child meet the eligibility. You can claim the FTB payments in the following way:
- Online: You can claim the benefit online on the Services Australia website or through the Centrelink-linked myGov account.
- Calling the family lines: You can call the Centrelink family line to get assistance on filing the claim for the FTB at 136 150 during office hours.
- Offline: You can visit your nearby service center and complete your application process for the FTB payments.
The Australian government offers FTB payments to ensure people can raise their children well and children get the proper care and support they need. So, the citizens who wish to get the lump sum payments must apply before 30 June for the next FY, and people who wish to receive the fortnight payment can apply when they meet the eligibility.