Family Tax Benefit

This 2-part payment, consisting of Family Tax Benefit Part A and Family Tax Benefit Part B, helps with the cost of raising children. To receive this payment you must:

• have a dependent child or full-time secondary student aged 16 to 19 who isn’t getting a pension, payment or benefit like Youth Allowance
• care for the child for at least 35% of the time
• meet an income test

For more information about Family Tax Benefit, visit the Services Australia website.

Parenting Payment

This is the main payment you can claim while you’re caring for a young child. It’s also for job seekers who are the main carers of young children.

To receive this payment, you must:

• meet income and asset test rules
• meet principal carer rules
• care for a child under 8 if you’re single or under 6 if you have a partner
• meet residence rules
• confirm your partner is not currently receiving a Parenting Payment

If you have a child under 6, you may also be required to take part in the Government’s ParentsNext program. This program helps you plan and prepare for study or employment, and links you to services and activities in your community. Services Australia will contact you if you need to make an appointment. You can also volunteer to join the program if you aren’t required to do so. ParentsNext is not available in remote areas or on Norfolk Island. For more information, visit the ParentsNext website.

For more information about the Parenting Payment, visit the Services Australia website.

Parental Leave Pay

This is a short-term payment for up to 18 weeks to help while you are not working, so you can care for a new child.

To receive this payment, you must:

• be the primary carer of a newborn or newly adopted child
• meet an income test
• not be working during your Paid Parental Leave period
• have met a work test in the period before your child’s birth
• have registered or applied to register your child’s birth with your state or territory birth registry, if they’re a newborn

For more information about the Parental Leave Pay, visit the Services Australia website.

Dad and Partner Pay

This is a short-term payment of up to 2 weeks made if you are a father or partner on leave from work to help look after a new child.

To receive this payment you must:

• care for a newborn or newly adopted child
• meet an income test
• have met a work test in the period before your child’s birth
• not be working or taking paid leave during your Dad and Partner Pay period
• have registered or applied to register your child’s birth with your state or territory birth registry, if they’re a newborn

For more information about the Dad and Partner Pay, visit the Services Australia website.

Child Care Subsidy

This payment helps families with the cost of childcare. It is for children 13 years old and under, but is also available to children 14 to 18 years old if they have a disability or can’t be left unsupervised. The payment is paid directly to the child care provider to reduce the fees you pay.

To receive this payment you must:

• care for a child 13 years old or younger who's not attending secondary school, unless an exemption applies
• use an approved child care service
• be responsible for paying the child care fees
• meet residency and immunisation requirements

The subsidy is available to parents doing recognised activities, such as paid and unpaid work, training and studying.

For more information on Child Care Subsidy, visit the Services Australia website.

Other payments you may be entitled to

There are other payments available to help you with:

• having a baby
• paying for your rent
• paying for your telephone
• paying for the costs of healthcare through Medicare
• paying for your child’s dental care
• paying energy bills

Special considerations

There are several different payments for people looking after children in special circumstances.

These payments include:

• if you are sharing the care of a child with someone else (Services Australia will work out what you’re eligible for, depending on how much care each partner provides)
• if you are a grandparent, legal guardian or other family member providing full-time care for a child
• if you are adopting a child
• if you are caring for a child who is an orphan
• if you are caring for a child with a disability or serious illness
• if you live in a very remote area and your child can’t access a state school
• if you have a stillborn baby, or if your baby dies after birth

These payments all have different eligibility requirements, and time limits may apply. You can find, estimate and compare payments and services you may be eligible for by visiting Centrelink’s Payment and Service Finder.