Parent or guardian

Important news

Supporting Families with Teenagers Measure

From 1 January 2012, Family Tax Benefit and Youth Allowance are changing under the Supporting Families with Teenagers Measure.

Changes to payment options for Child Care Rebate

From 4 July 2011, if you receive Child Care Benefit for approved child care during the year, the Child Care Rebate may be paid to you in one of four ways;

• Direct to your approved child care service/s
• Direct to you
• Quarterly payments to you
• Annual payment to you

Note: The payment option you have chosen for Child Care Rebate will be applied for the entire financial year. A new payment option cannot be applied until the start of the next financial year.

For more information view the Child Care Rebate page.

Paid Parental Leave scheme

The Australian Government announced the first Paid Parental Leave scheme for Australian families on 14 July 2010. The scheme offers 18 weeks of Parental Leave pay, paid at the National Minimum Wage for parents or primary carers of children born or adopted, from 1 January 2011.

Changes to Baby Bonus

From 1 July 2011, changes to Baby Bonus will assist with the upfront cost of having a child come into your primary care. If you are eligible for Baby Bonus, you will now receive a higher amount in the first instalment than in the subsequent 12 fortnightly instalments.

Give your child a healthy start for school

Make sure your child has a Healthy Start for School. If you or your partner receive Family Tax Benefit Part A for a child turning four and an income support payment, your child is required to undergo a health check.

More choices for Family Tax Benefit Part A advances

From 1 July 2011, the rules for Family Tax Benefit Part A advance payments have changed. There is now more choice about when you can receive advance payments, and how much you can receive. If you have previously elected to receive a continuous advance payment every 6 months, this change will affect you.

Alignment of care

Centrelink and the Child Support Agency (CSA) now use the same rules to work out the percentage of care you provide your child or children.

If you are a CSA customer and you receive Family Tax Benefit, you will now only have to tell your story once.

For more information, view Child Support.

Payments

• if you are having a baby
• to help you raise children
• while you are studying or training
• while your child is ill, injured or has a disability

Payment choices for families

At risk of being overpaid your Family Tax Benefit or Child Care Benefit? There are payment choices available.

Avoid a Centrelink debt

There are lots of things that can affect your payment.  Avoid a debt by letting us know when your situation changes.

Owing money to Centrelink or the Family Assistance Office

Answers to frequently asked questions about owing money to Centrelink or the Family Assistance Office.

Services and programs

• Child support
• Family Assistance
• Personal/family counselling
• Special Disability Trusts

For more information, refer to services and programs for parents and guardians.

Direct bill-paying service

Centrepay is a free direct bill-paying service where you can choose to pay bills by having a regular amount deducted from your Centrelink payment.

Claiming

Forms

• Baby Bonus
• Child Care Benefit
• Family Tax Benefit
• Parenting Payment

For more information, refer to claim forms for parents and guardians.