What is Family Tax Benefit Part B?

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) is a 2-part payment paid to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children. Here is what you need to know about Family Tax Benefit Part B.

If you and your family are affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible for additional payments. Visit the Services Australia website for more information.

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

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.

Family Tax Benefit Part B pays a maximum of $162.54 per fortnight for children under 5, and $113.54 per fortnight for children aged 5 to 18 (the child must be a full-time secondary student if they are aged 16 to 18). 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 $379.60 per family For the 2020-21 financial year and $383.25 per family for the 2021-22 financial year, which 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.

Who is eligible?

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 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. If you leave Australia for more than 6 weeks, the payment may be affected.

The family must also meet certain income requirements:

• If you are a couple with a youngest child who is under 13, or a grandparent or great-grandparent couple with a youngest child who is over 13, the highest income must be $100,900 per year or less. The payment will be calculated according to how much the partner with the lower income earns.
• If you are a single parent, your income must be $100,900 per year or less.
• You and your partner must lodge an income tax return or tell Services Australia if you are not required to lodge a return within the 12 months following the end of the relevant financial year.

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 to apply

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 2020 – 2021 financial year form — use this if you’re claiming a lump sum
• call us on the Families line on 136 150 (Mon – Fri 8am to 8pm)
• go to a service centre

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