What's New
This website is regularly updated to provide the latest information about payments and services for Family Assistance as well as new Government announcements.
2011 news stories
- 30 September
Supporting Families with Teenagers
From 1 January 2012, Family Tax Benefit and Youth Allowance are changing under the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
- 20 June
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.
- 17 June
Family Tax Benefit–changes to continuous advance payments
The rules for Family Tax Benefit Part A advance payments are changing from 1 July 2011. If you have previously elected to receive a continuous advance payment every 6 months, this change will affect you. For more information, view changes to Family Tax Benefit continuous advance payments.
- 1 June
Changes to Child Care Rebate
From July, if you receive Child Care Rebate, you won’t have to wait until the end of each quarter or until the end of the financial year to receive your payment. New options are available, which will allow you to receive Child Care Rebate fortnightly, and in many cases weekly. By receiving your rebate either fortnightly or weekly, you can elect to have your rebate paid directly to your Child Care Provider to reduce your child care bills immediately. More information is available on the Frequently Asked Questions page.
- 1 January
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 $570 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.
2010 news stories
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8 December
Grandparent advisors
Are you a grandparent with full-time caring responsibility for your grandchildren? Grandparent Advisors are now available in selected Centrelink Customer Service Centres to provide support by helping you access a range of payments and services you may be entitled to.
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9 November
CSA customers heading overseas at Christmas
The Child Support Agency (CSA) is reminding customers travelling overseas this holiday season to make sure their child support payments are up to date. The CSA can issue a Departure Prohibition Order to prevent customers with overdue payments from leaving the country. This is only used as a last resort. If you have overdue payments, call CSA on 13 1272 to talk about your options.
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1 November
Red Cross Blood Service
One in three Australians will need blood or a blood treatment in their lifetime, but only one in 30 actually donates.
Type O and type A blood levels are currently low. But whatever your type, your blood is a match for someone in need. So be the type to save lives.
Do something special. Give blood. Visit donateblood.com.au or call 13 1495 to make an appointment to donate.
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1 October
Paid Parental Leave scheme
First claims for Australia's first Paid Parental Leave scheme start 1 October 2010. The scheme starts 1 January 2011.
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1 September
Tax time – check reportable superannuation amount on your payment summary
The ATO has learnt that some employers didn’t include the correct amount of their reportable super on 2009-10 payment summaries. This could affect the amount of child support you pay or receive, or your eligibility for Centrelink benefits. Check your summary – if you’re affected, talk to your employer and visit the ATO website for more information.
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1 July
Alignment of Care - making it easier to deal with us
The Family Assistance Office (FAO) and Child Support Agency (CSA) now use the same rules to work out the percentage of care you provide your child or children.
If you are a CSA customer and you receive Family Tax Benefit, you will now only have to tell your story once.
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17 June
Paid Parental Leave Scheme
Australia's first national Paid Parental Leave scheme will start on 1 January 2011.
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26 May
Alignment of Care between Child Support and Family Tax Benefit
Legislation introduced today will simplify the way separated families deal with the Child Support Agency and the Family Assistance Office
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1 January
New Eligibility Rules for Family Tax Benefit children aged 16 to 20 years
From January 2010, dependent children aged 16 ...
2009 news stories
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7 August
Family Tax Benefit - Fortnightly payments to cease for recipients who do not lodge a tax return
From January 2010, you may no longer receive your Family Tax Benefit on a fortnightly basis if you...
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1 July
Changes to the definition of income
From 1 July 2009 there are changes to how income is defined for family assistance
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1 July
Changes to Family Tax Benefit
From 1 July 2009, there are three key changes to Family Tax Benefit.
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