Payments for Families

Highlights

• Various financial support options are available to assist families.
• Payments are available for parental leave, childcare costs, and other expenses such as housing.
• Each payment has its own requirements, so it’s important to check eligibility.

In This Article

• Family Tax Benefit
• Parenting Payment
• Parental Leave Pay
• Child Care Subsidy
• Other Payments You May Be Entitled To
• Special Considerations
• Tools and Assistance

Family Tax Benefit

Family Tax Benefit is a two-part payment that helps with the cost of raising children. To receive this payment, you must:

• Have a dependent child or a full-time secondary student aged 16 to 19 who is not receiving other financial support.
• Care for the child at least 35% of the time.
• Meet an income test.

Parenting Payment

Parenting Payment is the main financial support available while caring for a young child. It is also available for job seekers who are primary caregivers. To receive this payment, you must:

• Care for a child under 8 years old if single or under 6 years old if partnered.
• Meet income and asset test requirements.
• Meet principal caregiver rules.
• Meet residency requirements.
• Confirm that your partner is not receiving a Parenting Payment.

Parents with children under 6 may also participate in a support program designed to help them prepare for work or study.

Parental Leave Pay

Parental Leave Pay provides short-term financial support for up to 100 days (20 weeks) while caring for a newborn or newly adopted child. To receive this payment, you must:

• Be the primary caregiver for your newborn or newly adopted child.
• Meet an income test.
• Not be working on payment days, except for allowable reasons.
• Meet a work test.
• Have registered or applied to register your child’s birth, if they are a newborn.

Child Care Subsidy

This payment helps families manage childcare costs for children up to 13 years old. It may also be available for children aged 14 to 18 who have a disability or require supervision. The subsidy is paid directly to childcare providers to reduce fees.

To receive this payment, you must:

• Care for a child aged 13 or younger who is not attending secondary school (unless an exemption applies).
• Use an approved childcare service.
• Be responsible for paying childcare fees.
• Meet residency and immunization requirements.

The subsidy is available for parents involved in recognized activities such as work, training, or studying.

Other Payments You May Be Entitled To

Additional financial assistance may be available for:

• Having a baby
• Rent payments
• Telephone and internet costs
• Healthcare expenses
• Dental care for children
• Energy bills

Special Considerations

Some financial support programs are available for caregivers in special circumstances, including:

• Shared custody arrangements (eligibility depends on the percentage of care provided).
• Grandparents, legal guardians, or other family members providing full-time care.
• Adoptive parents.
• Caregivers of children with disabilities.
• Families living in remote areas without access to local schools.
• Families who have experienced stillbirth or the loss of a baby.

These payments have different eligibility rules, and some may have time limits.

Tools and Assistance

Various tools are available to help families estimate and compare payments they may qualify for.