Skip to Content
Caring for Children home
Caring for Children
Owned and managed by Department of Communities & Justice

Family and parenting payments and benefits

Family Tax Benefit

The Family Tax Benefit is an income-tested payment that helps with the cost of raising children. It is made up of two parts: Family Tax Benefit Part A and Part B.

  • Family Tax Benefit Part A is paid per child. The amount you get depends on your family’s circumstances.
  • Family Tax Benefit Part B is paid per family. This payment gives extra help to families and single parents with one main income.

Newborn Upfront Payment

If a child under the age of one comes into your care and you are eligible for a Family Tax Benefit Part A payment, then you may also be eligible for a Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement.

  • If you receive Family Tax Benefit Part A as a lump sum, both the Newborn Upfront Payment and the Newborn Supplement will be included in that lump sum.
  • If you receive Family Tax Benefit Part A fortnightly, you will receive the Newborn Upfront Payment as a lump sum and the Newborn Supplement in your regular Family Tax Benefit Part A payments for 13 weeks from the date you become eligible.

Parental Leave Pay

The Paid Parental Leave scheme can support you if you’re a primary carer taking time off work to care for a newborn or recently adopted child. If eligible, you could get up to 18 weeks Parental Leave Pay at the rate of the National Minimum Wage. Parental Leave Pay is taxable and may be paid by the government or by your employer, depending on your circumstances.

Parenting Payment

The Parenting Payment is income support for parents and carers to help cover the costs of raising small children. It is paid to the primary carer. The amount of Parenting Payment you get depends on your family situation. You may qualify for the parenting payment if:

  • you are single and care for at least one child aged under eight years
  • you have a partner and care for at least one child aged under six years
  • income and assets for you and your partner (if you have one) are below a certain amount
  • you meet residence requirements.

Mutual Obligations Requirements Exemption

To receive some government payments, including the Parenting Payment, primary carers may be required to meet Mutual Obligation Requirements for part-time work or training. However, authorised carers can apply for a Mutual Obligation Requirements Exemption from Centrelink. This includes relative or kinship carers and emergency and respite carers who care for children or young people on an irregular basis.

Each June, FACS mails a letter and 12-month Certificate of Eligibility and Special Family Circumstances Exemption from mutual obligation requirements to all FACS carers who have received either a statutory or supported Care Allowance within the last six months.

Carers can use the certificate to apply for an exemption, however, Centrelink determines whether you’re eligible based on your individual circumstances. Penalties apply if you do not notify Centrelink that you were entitled to an exemption and your approval to be a carer is terminated or withdrawn.

If you are with a non-government agency, you will need to request an exemption certificate annually from your caseworker.