How to Claim Family Tax Benefit for a Dependent Child in Australia

Which part of Family Tax Benefit can you claim?

Family Tax Benefit has two components. FTB Part A is assessed for each eligible child, while FTB Part B is paid per family and is targeted at single-parent families, grandparent carers and some couples with one main income.

For Part A, an eligible dependent child is generally aged 15 or younger, or aged 16 to 19 and meeting the required secondary-study rules. For Part B, couples with one main income generally need to care for a dependent child under 13. A single parent or grandparent carer may qualify while caring for a dependent child under 18, with study requirements applying for children aged 16 to 18.

How much care of the child do you need?

You need to care for the child for at least 35% of the time to receive FTB for that child. Services Australia uses your percentage of care both to determine eligibility and, in shared-care situations, to calculate the amount payable.

If you have between 35% and 65% care, you may receive a proportion of FTB based on your assessed care percentage. If you have more than 65% care, you can receive 100% of the FTB payment for the child, subject to the other eligibility and income rules.

Services Australia may ask for evidence where care arrangements need to be established. Examples include a parenting plan or court order, a care calendar, school or child-care records, travel records or other evidence showing the actual care pattern.

If separation also creates child support obligations, you can check how to apply for a child support assessment. Child support received can affect FTB Part A.

What residence rules apply?

On the day you claim, you and your child must be living in Australia. The claimant must generally be an Australian citizen, hold a permanent visa, a Special Category visa, or one of the qualifying temporary visas identified by Services Australia. The child must normally live with you or have Australian citizenship, a permanent visa or a Special Category visa.

A newly arrived resident may have to serve a one-year waiting period for FTB Part A, although exemptions can apply. Services Australia states that there is no newly arrived resident waiting period for FTB Part B.

How does the Family Tax Benefit income test work?

Services Australia uses your family's adjusted taxable income to determine eligibility and payment rates. The calculation is not a single universal income cut-off because the result can depend on which part of FTB you claim, the number and ages of your children, your family circumstances and other applicable rules.

For FTB Part A, the payment rate is assessed using family adjusted taxable income together with the ages and number of eligible children and, where relevant, your percentage of care. Child support can also affect the rate. For FTB Part B, the income test differs for single-parent and couple families and takes account of the relevant family income circumstances.

Keep your family income estimate current when receiving FTB during the year. After the financial year, you and your partner, if applicable, must also confirm your income so Services Australia can balance the payment.

What do you need before starting the claim?

Services Australia asks for your family income details, your partner's residence details where applicable, TFNs for you and your partner, bank account details and information about your child. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need proof of birth or adoption, overseas residence information, shared-care details, information about a previous carer and child support details.

The bank account must be in your name or be a joint account that includes your name. An account in the child's name is not suitable unless you are the signatory or trustee.

Services Australia will tell you which supporting documents are required for your individual claim. When it asks for supporting claim documents, you generally have 14 days to provide them. Services Australia gives 28 days for requested TFN and bank account details.

How do you claim FTB online through myGov?

The standard online route uses a Centrelink online account linked to myGov. After signing in, open Centrelink, choose Make a claim or view claim status, select Make a claim, then under Families choose Get started and Apply for Family Assistance Payments (including Paid Parental Leave).

Follow the questions for your circumstances and submit the claim. Services Australia may then request supporting documents. Documents can be uploaded using your Centrelink online account or the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app; Services Australia also provides mail, fax and service-centre options for submitting documents.

If you need a TFN before completing the family-payment requirements, Helpydo also explains the separate process to apply for a Tax File Number as a migrant or temporary visa holder.

Should you claim fortnightly or as a lump sum?

Services Australia allows eligible families to receive FTB during the year or claim an annual lump sum after the financial year. Your choice affects when the benefit is paid, but your final entitlement still depends on your actual family circumstances and income.

Fortnightly payments

For a new child, you can lodge a claim for fortnightly FTB up to 3 months before the expected birth or adoption and within 52 weeks after the birth or adoption. For an older child, Services Australia advises claiming as soon as you think you are eligible.

If you receive FTB fortnightly, keep your income estimate and relevant family circumstances up to date. This helps reduce the risk of receiving too much and later having an overpayment.

Annual lump-sum claim

You can instead claim FTB as an annual lump sum after the relevant financial year. The claim must generally be made within 12 months after the end of the financial year. For example, Services Australia states that an FTB lump-sum claim for the 2025-26 financial year must be submitted by 30 June 2027.

The easiest method stated by Services Australia is to lodge the annual lump-sum claim through your Centrelink online account linked to myGov. Services Australia also publishes the FA048 claim form for the relevant financial year.

What requirements apply to your dependent child?

For FTB Part A, a child must meet the applicable immunisation requirements. A child under 20 can satisfy the immunisation requirement by being up to date under the applicable vaccination schedule, being on an approved catch-up schedule, or having an accepted medical contraindication or natural immunity recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register.

For FTB Part A, children aged 16 to 19 must meet the study rules. They generally need to be in full-time secondary study, have an acceptable study load or have an exemption from Services Australia. FTB Part B also has study requirements for relevant children aged 16 to 18.

Do you need to take action on child support?

If you or your partner have a child from a previous relationship in your care, the Maintenance Action Test may apply if you want more than the base rate of FTB Part A. This can require you to take reasonable action to obtain child support.

Services Australia provides exemptions in some circumstances, including where seeking child support would create issues involving family or domestic violence or where parentage is unknown. If this applies, contact Services Australia rather than assuming you must pursue child support yourself.

If an existing child support assessment no longer reflects special circumstances, the separate process for changing a child support assessment may also be relevant.

What happens after you submit the claim?

After an online claim, Services Australia issues a receipt showing your claim ID and an estimated completion date. There is no single published processing period that applies to every FTB claim, so use the estimate provided for your individual claim rather than relying on a generic number.

You can track the claim through your Centrelink online account linked to myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink app. If Services Australia asks for documents, provide them within the stated timeframe so the claim can progress.

What must you do after the financial year?

If you receive FTB during a financial year, you and your partner, where applicable, need to confirm your family income so Services Australia can balance your entitlement. This normally happens through tax returns lodged with the Australian Taxation Office or, if a tax return is not required, by advising Services Australia of non-lodgement and confirming the relevant income.

The general FTB time limit is 12 months after the end of the financial year. For the 2025-26 financial year, Services Australia states that the deadline is 30 June 2027. Missing the deadline can mean losing top-ups or supplements and may result in an FTB debt.

How is FTB different from other family payments?

Family Tax Benefit is separate from Parenting Payment, Parental Leave Pay and Child Care Subsidy. Receiving or qualifying for one does not mean the rules for another are automatically satisfied.

Depending on your circumstances, you can separately check how to claim Parenting Payment through Centrelink, claim Parental Leave Pay, or apply for Child Care Subsidy.

In particular, FTB Part B is not payable for days on which you receive Parental Leave Pay, so this interaction matters when planning your family payments.