What is Family Tax Benefit?

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) is a 2-part payment for eligible families to help with the cost of raising children.

The Family Tax Benefit is made up of 2 parts:

• Part A — a payment made per child, depending on the family’s circumstances
• Part B — a payment made per family to give extra help to families that need it

Who is eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A?

To be eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A, you must:

• have a Family Tax Benefit child in your care
• meet residency requirements
• meet an income test

Family Tax Benefit child (FTB child) criteria

An FTB child must be:

• aged 0 to 15 years, or
• be aged 16 to 19 and meet certain study requirements

The child must be in your care for at least 35% of the time and not be receiving other benefits, such as Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY.

Residency requirements

You must be living in Australia and fulfill one of the following criteria:

• be an Australian citizen
• hold a permanent visa
• hold a Special Category visa
• hold a temporary visa, such as a Partner Provisional or Temporary Protection visa

The child must meet these residency requirements or be living with you.

The payments might be affected if you’re living outside Australia. New arrivals to Australia usually wait one year before they can get Family Tax Benefit Part A, but there are some exemptions.

Income test

You must lodge a tax return at the end of the financial year. This needs to be completed within the 12 months following the end of the financial year. If you are not required to lodge a tax return you must notify Services Australia.

Any child support you receive will affect the payment.

Other requirements

To receive the payment, the child must also meet early childhood immunisation requirements and have a health check if they are turning 4.

To find out more about eligibility, visit the Services Australia website.

How much does the Family Tax Benefit Part A pay?

Family Tax Benefit Part A pays a maximum of $197.96 per fortnight for children up to 12 years and $257.46 per fortnight for children up to 19 years, if they are eligible.

The amount you receive depends on:

• your income
• the ages of children in your care
• The number of children in your care

The payments can either be made fortnightly or as a lump sum at the end of the financial year to your bank, credit union or building society. Payments are made to a parent, guardian or an approved care organisation.

Family Tax Benefit Part A can also include a supplement at the end of the financial year after Centrelink balances your family assistance payments. If you are eligible, you may receive a supplement of up to $788.40 for each eligible child in the 2021 ­– 2022 financial year, and $817.60 for the 2022 – 2023 financial year.

How much you get depends on:

• how many children you have in your care
• if you share care with someone else
• your family’s income
• the number of days you were eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A

Family Tax Benefit Part A may also include:

• Newborn Supplement and Newborn Upfront Payment
• Energy Supplement
• Multiple Birth Allowance
• Rent Assistance
• a Health Care Card

For more information about what you can claim, visit Centrelink’s Payment and Service Finder.

What is Family Tax Benefit Part B?

Family Tax Benefit Part B gives extra help to single-parent families, non-parent carers and some families that only have one main income. It recognises that you may not be able to work due to your circumstances or the age of the child.

Who is eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part B?

To receive Family Tax Benefit Part B:

• You must have a Family Tax Benefit child (FTB child) in your care who is under the age of 13.
• If you are a single parent, grandparent or non-parent carer, the child must be under 18 years and must meet study requirements if they’re aged 16 to 18.
• The family must care for the child at least 35% of the time.
• The family must meet Australian residency requirements.
• The family must meet an income test.

You can’t receive FTB Part B while you’re receiving Parental Leave Pay.

To find out more about eligibility, visit the Services Australia website.

How much does the Family Tax Benefit Part B pay?

Family Tax Benefit Part B pays a maximum of $168.28 per fortnight for children under 5, and $117.46 per fortnight for children aged 5 to 18, if they are eligible. Payments are made either fortnightly or as a lump sum at the end of the financial year to your bank, credit union or building society account.

Family Tax Benefit Part B includes a supplement of up to $383.25 per family for the 2021 – 2022 financial year and $397.85 per family for the 2022 – 23 financial year. The supplement is paid after you and your partner have lodged your income tax returns at the end of the financial year, or told Services Australia if you are not required to lodge a tax return.

You might also be eligible for:

• Energy Supplement
• Single Income Family Supplement

For more information about what you can claim, visit Centrelink’s Payment and Service Finder

How do I apply for Family Tax Benefit?

The easiest way to claim is online. To claim online, you need a myGov account linked to Centrelink. If you don't have a myGov account or a Centrelink online account you'll need to set them up.

If you can’t claim online, you can either:

• print and complete the Claim for Paid Parental Leave and Family Assistance form — use this if you’re claiming fortnightly
• print and complete the Claim for an annual lump sum payment of FTB for the 2021 – 2022 financial year form — use this if you’re claiming a lump sum
• call Centrelink on the Families line on 136 150 (Mon – Fri 8am to 8pm)
• go to a service centre

Resources and support

To find out more about Family Tax Benefit eligibility, visit the Services Australia website.

For more information about what you can claim, visit Centrelink’s Payment and Service Finder.

For more information on claiming Family Tax Benefit, visit Services Australia.