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Support and money

Family Tax Benefit

Understand FTB, child support action and the income checks that can change your family payments.

Check Parts A and B separately

Family Tax Benefit, or FTB, helps with the cost of raising children. Part A is paid for eligible children. Part B supports specified family circumstances, including eligible single parents. These parts have different income and child-age rules.

The usual care condition is at least 35% of the child's time. Residence, age and study conditions also matter. Meeting the care condition alone does not establish the amount payable. Check each child's circumstances, including shared care, with Services Australia.

Child support action can affect Part A

To receive more than the base rate of Part A for a child from a previous relationship, reasonable action to obtain child support is generally required. The usual grace period is 91 days from the relevant event, such as separation, birth or entry into care, becoming eligible to apply, or care reaching the qualifying level.

Applying for an assessment or asking Child Support to accept an agreement can meet this requirement. If action would expose you to violence or other abuse, or parentage is unknown, ask Services Australia about an exemption. It may arrange a social-worker assessment. You do not need to approach an unsafe former partner before asking for help.

Check how child support is collected

Private Collect means you and the other parent arrange transfers under an assessment. FTB normally assumes you receive the assessed amount, even when payments are missing. Ask Child Support about collection options if this happens.

Child Support Collect and self-management have different consequences for FTB. Do not choose a collection method only because it sounds simpler. Ask how the option affects payments and any arrears.

Confirm income after the financial year

Keep your income estimate realistic and update it when circumstances change. At balancing time, Services Australia compares the relevant income information with payments made. If you do not need a tax return, you may still need to confirm income with the agency.

FTB and Child Care Subsidy are balanced separately. Separation during the financial year has special handling for former-partner income. Contact the Families service if information is missing or unsafe to obtain.

Your next step

Use the official links above, or find local services in your state.

Sources for this guide

Related guides

Wording reviewed 5 October 2026. Numerical rules have separate verification dates on Sources and updates.