Maintenance Income Test
The Maintenance Income Test rates below are to be used as a guide only and are effective from 1 January 2012. The Maintenance Income Test applies if you or your partner receive or are entitled to receive child support or spousal maintenance, and you are eligible to get more than the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A. Blind pensioners or their partner on specific pension payments may be exempt from the Maintenance Income Test. For further information, phone the Family Assistance Office on 136 150.
Maintenance income free areas (per year)
| Status | Child support received (per year) |
|---|---|
| Single parent or member of a couple receiving maintenance | $1,401.60 |
| Couple, both receiving maintenance | $2,803.20 |
| For each additional child add | $467.20 |
Child support/spousal maintenance over these amounts may reduce Family Tax Benefit Part A by 50 cents in the dollar, until the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A is reached.
To get more than the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A for a child from a previous relationship, reasonable action to obtain child support must be taken. This is known as the Maintenance Action Test. Blind pensioners or their partner on specific pension payments may be exempt from the Maintenance Action Test. For further information, phone the Family Assistance Office on 136 150.
More information
- Family Tax Benefit Part A section