Welcome to the Family Assistance Office website
The Family Assistance Office has been set up by the Australian Government to give Australian families better access to government services. Instead of going to different agencies to get family assistance, families are able to get all their payments from just one place - the Family Assistance Office. Family Assistance Offices have been set up in Medicare offices and Centrelink Customer Service Centres across the country, offering a range of payments to support families with their work and family responsibilities.
Latest news & updates
more news…Changes for Family Tax Benefit customers
From 1 July 2012, customers will not be able to access FTB by fortnightly instalments for a current entitlement year where they have two consecutive years of confirmed zero entitlement to FTB, if their actual Adjusted Taxable Income (ATI) is too high.
Changes to Baby Bonus
From 1 September 2012, the amount paid for customers who claim and are eligible for Baby Bonus will be $5,000. The amount of Baby Bonus you can receive will remain at $5,000 until 30 June 2015.
Strengthening immunisation for children
From 1 July 2012 families will be required to meet immunisation requirements to receive the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A supplement for the financial years that each child turns one, two and five years of age.
Are you a Child Support customer heading overseas at Christmas?
Child Support is reminding customers travelling overseas this holiday season to make sure their child support payments are up to date.
Supporting Families with Teenagers
From 1 January 2012, Family Tax Benefit and Youth Allowance are changing under the Supporting Families with Teenagers initiative.
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
Family Tax Benef it 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 chosen to receive a continuous advance payment every 26 weeks, these changes will affect you.
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 to for Baby Bonus, you will now receive a higher amount in the first instalment than in the subsequent 12 fortnightly instalments.
Changes to 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. More information is available on the Frequently Asked Questions page and the Child Care Rebate page.
Paid Parental Leave has started
Australia's first national Paid Parental Leave scheme started on 1 January 2011. It provides eligible working parents with 18 weeks of Parental Leave Pay at the National Minimum Wage, currently $589.40 a week before tax. The scheme gives working parents support to spend more time at home with a new baby and helps employers retain valuable and skilled staff. Find out about the scheme's eligibility requirements and how to apply.
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