If you are entitled to Family Tax Benefit, you can claim your payment through the Family Assistance Office as:
fortnightly payments; or
receive a lump sum payment after the end of the income (financial) year; or
a combination of fortnightly payments throughout the year and a lump sum payment after the income (financial) year; or
You can claim your Family Tax Benefit through the tax system as
a lump sum payment after the end of the income (financial year) or;
as reduced tax instalment deductions withheld from wages paid to you or your partner
Child Care Benefit
If you are entitled to Child Care Benefit for approved care, you can claim your assistance through the Family Assistance Office as:
Reduced fees-your Child Care Benefit will be paid to your child care service, who will pass it to you in the form of fee reductions so you pay less in fees, or
lump sum-you will pay full child care fees to your child care service during the year, and after the end of the income year you may make a claim for Child Care Benefit as a lump sum.
Important to note: You must claim Child Care Benefit as reduced fees if you want to receive your Child Care Tax Rebate as a quarterly payment even if you are assessed at the zero rate of Child Care Benefit. If you choose to receive your Child Care Benefit as a lump sum payment, any Child Care Tax Rebate will also be paid as a lump sum at the end of that year.
If you are using registered care you can claim Child Care Benefit by lodging a claim form together with your receipts at your local Family Assistance Office. You can claim Child Care Benefit for registered care at any time during the year, but you must claim within 12 months of the care having been used. It is important to note that you cannot receive the Child Care Tax Rebate for registered care.
Child Care Tax Rebate
Currently if you are entitled to the Child Care Tax Rebate for approved care, you will receive your assistance through the Family Assistance Office. Your entitlements will be paid into your bank account after reconciliation of Child Care Benefit.
From 1 July 2008, you can receive your Child Care Tax Rebate through the Family Assistance Office as:
a quarterly payment - for families claiming Child Care Benefit as reduced fees or
a lump sum payment at the end of the income (financial) year - for families claiming Child Care Benefit as a lump sum
Child Care Benefit, Child Care Tax Rebate, Jobs, Education and Training Child Care fee assistance, Rent Assistance, Baby Bonus and Maternity Immunisation Allowance are available only through the Family Assistance Office and cannot be paid through the tax system.
