The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

3.6.1 FTB Part A - historical rates

Summary

This topic contains historical rates for the following:

Table number Explanation
1 Maximum standard rate of FTB Part A
2 Base rates of FTB Part A
3 FTB Part A supplement
4 ES Part A
5 Rates of large family supplement (LFS), MBA, NBS and NBU
6 FTB child income threshold
7 Maintenance income free area

All rates shown are fortnightly unless indicated otherwise.

Note: Some of the rates listed may have changed or ceased.

Table 1: Maximum standard rate of FTB Part A

The maximum rate of FTB Part A is payable where family income is equal to or less than the income free area for the relevant income year. FTB Part A reduces by 20c for each dollar of family income above the lower income free area until the base rate of FTB Part A is reached.

Note: The Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Promoting Sustainable Welfare) Act 2018 implemented a consistent 30c in the dollar income test taper for FTB Part A with family income in excess of the higher income free area from 1 July 2019.

The FTB Part A supplement is a component of the annual maximum FTB Part A rate and is paid after reconciliation. The supplement is not paid by instalment and is therefore not included in the fortnightly rates.

Payable from Children aged Lower income free area
($ p.a.)
Under 13 years
($ pf)
13 to 15 years
($ pf)
16 to 17 years
($ pf)
18 to 24 years
($ pf)
01/07/2000 116.20 147.28 37.38 50.12 28,200
01/07/2001 122.92 155.82 39.48 53.06 29,857
01/07/2002 126.70 160.72 40.74 54.74 30,806
01/07/2003 130.48 165.48 42.00 56.42 31,755
01/07/2004 133.56 169.40 42.98 57.82 32,485
01/07/2005 137.06 173.74 44.10 59.36 33,361
01/07/2006 140.84 179.76 45.36 61.04 40,000
01/07/2007 145.46 189.00 46.90 63.00 41,318
01/07/2008 151.34 196.84 48.30 64.96 42,559
01/07/2009 156.94 204.12 50.12 67.34 44,165
01/07/2010 160.30 208.46 51.24 68.74 45,114
01/07/2011 164.64 214.06 52.64 70.56 46,355
Payable from Children aged Lower income free area
($ p.a.)
Under 13 years
($ pf)
13 to 15 years
($ pf)
16 to 17 years (not a senior secondary school child) (Note 1D)
($ pf)
16 to 19 years (senior secondary school child)
($ pf)
18 to 21 years (not a senior secondary school child) (Note 1A & 1C)
($ pf)
01/01/2012
(Note 1B)
164.64 214.06 52.64 214.06 70.56 46,355
01/07/2012 169.68 220.64 54.32 220.64 72.80 47,815
01/07/2013 172.20 224.00 55.16 224.00 Note 1C 48,837
Payable from Children aged Lower income free area
($ p.a.)
Under 13 years
($ pf)
13 to 15 years
($ pf)
16 to 19 years (senior secondary school child)
($ pf)
01/05/2014 172.20 224.00 224.00 48,837
01/07/2014 176.82 230.02 230.02 50,151
01/07/2015 179.76 233.94 233.94 51,027
01/07/2016 182.84 (Note 1E) 237.86 (Note 1E) 237.86 (Note 1E) 51,903
01/07/2017 182.84 237.86 237.86 52,706
01/07/2018 182.84 237.86 237.86 53,728
01/07/2019 186.20 242.20 242.20 54,677
01/07/2020 189.56 246.54 246.54 55,626
01/07/2021 191.24 248.78 248.78 56,137
01/07/2022 197.96 257.46 257.46 58,108
01/07/2023 213.36 277.48 277.48 62,634

Notes for Table 1

Note Explanation
1A In some cases this rate may still be payable on or after 1 January 2012 for eligible FTB children older than 21 (2.1.1.10).
1B From 1 January 2012 the maximum standard rate for FTB children aged 16 to 19 who are senior secondary school children (1.1.S.27) was increased to the same maximum standard rate as for 13 to 15 year old FTB children.
1C From 1 January 2013 to 1 May 2014 eligibility for FTB was limited to children up to 15 years, 16 to 19 years and in full-time secondary study, or 16 to 17 years where they have completed their Year 12 or equivalent qualification.
1D From 1 May 2014 eligibility for FTB was limited to children up to 15 years and 16 to 19 years and in full-time study.
1E The Social Services Legislation Amendment Act 2017 paused the FTB Part A and FTB Part B rates until 30 June 2019.

Table 2: Base rate of FTB Part A

The base rate of FTB Part A is payable until family income reaches the higher income free area. The payment reduces by 30c for each dollar above the higher income free area until it reaches nil.

Payable from Children aged Higher income free area (HIFA)
($ p.a.)
Add to HIFA for each FTB child after the first
($ p.a.)
Approved care organisation
(Note 2A)
($ pf)
Under 18 years
($ pf)
18 to 24 years
($ pf)
01/07/2000 37.38 50.12 73,000 3,000 37.38
01/07/2001 39.48 53.06 77,234 3,139 39.48
01/07/2002 40.74 54.74 79,643 3,212 40.74
01/07/2003 42.00 56.42 82,052 3,285 42.00
01/07/2004 42.98 57.82 84,023 3,358 42.98
01/07/2005 44.10 59.36 86,213 3,431 44.10
01/07/2006 45.36 61.04 88,622 3,504 45.36
01/07/2007 46.90 63.00 91,542 3,650 46.90
01/07/2008 48.30 64.96 94,316 3,796 48.30
01/07/2009 50.12 67.34 94,316 (Note 2B) 3,796 50.12
01/07/2010 51.24 68.74 94,316 3,796 51.24
01/07/2011 52.64 70.56 94,316 (Note 2C) 3,796 52.64
Payable from Children aged Higher income free area (HIFA)
($ p.a.)
Add to HIFA for each FTB child after the first
($ p.a.)
Approved care organisation
(Note 2A)
($ pf)
Under 18 years
($ pf)
18 to 19 years (senior secondary school)
($ pf)
18 to 21 years (not a senior secondary school)
(Note 1C and 2D)
($ pf)
01/01/2012 (Note 2E) 52.64 52.64 70.56 94,316 3,796 52.64
01/07/2012 54.32 54.32 72.80 94,316 3,796 54.32
Payable from Children aged Higher income free area (HIFA)
($ p.a.)
Add to HIFA for each FTB child after the first
($ p.a.)
Approved care organisation
(Note 2A)
($ pf)
Under 18 years
($ pf)
18 to 19 years (senior secondary school)
($ pf)
01/07/2013 55.16 55.16 94,316 (Note 2F) 3,796 55.16
01/07/2014 56.70 56.70 94,316 3,796 56.70
01/07/2015 57.68 57.68 94,316 Note 2G 57.68
01/07/2016 to 30/06/2019 58.66 (Note 2I) 58.66 (Note 2I) 94,316 (Note 2H) n/a 58.66 (Note 2I)
01/07/2019 59.78 59.78 98,988 (Note 2J) n/a 59.78
01/07/2020 60.90 60.90 98,988 (Note 2J) n/a 60.90
01/07/2021 61.46 61.46 99,864 n/a 61.46
01/07/2022 63.56 63.56 103,368 n/a 63.56
01/07/2023 68.46 68.46 111,398 n/a 68.46

Notes for Table 2

Note Explanation
2A The rate of FTB Part A for a child in an ACO is not affected by the age of the child and is not income tested.
2B In the 2009-10 Budget, the Government announced that the FTB Part A higher income free area of $94,316 (plus $3,796 for each child after the first) will be maintained at the same level until 30 June 2012.
2C The pause in indexation of the FTB Part A higher income free area was extended in the 2011-12 Budget by a further 2 years until 30 June 2014.
2D In some cases this rate may still be payable on or after 1 January 2012 for eligible FTB children older than 21 (2.1.1.10).
2E From 1 January 2012 to 1 May 2014 the base rate payable for FTB children aged 16 to 19 was determined by study status, as well as age. Subject to the child's age, the rate that was payable may have been different depending on whether a child is a senior secondary school child (1.1.S.27).
2F The pause in indexation of the FTB Part A higher income free area was extended in the 2013-14 Budget for a further 3 years until 30 June 2017.
2G From 1 July 2015 the additional higher income free area for FTB Part A is no longer in use.
2H The pause in indexation of the FTB Part A higher income free area was extended in the Budget Savings (Omnibus) Act 2016 for a further 3 years until 30 June 2020.
2I The Social Services Legislation Amendment Act paused the FTB Part A and FTB Part B rates until 30 June 2019.
2J The Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Promoting Sustainable Welfare) Act implemented a one-off increase of to the FTB Part A higher income free area and paused its indexation until 30 June 2021.

Table 3: Rates of FTB Part A supplement

The FTB Part A supplement is a per child payment introduced for the 2003-04 income year and is payable at the end of an income year after reconciliation has occurred. It is a component of the maximum and base rates of FTB Part A although it cannot be paid fortnightly.

Note: Effective from the 2016-17 income year, an individual's FTB Part A supplement for the relevant income year is nil if the families' combined ATI for that year is more than $80,000.

Payable from FTB Part A supplement
(per child)
($ p.a.)
01/07/2003 600.00
01/07/2004 613.20
01/07/2005 627.80
01/07/2006 646.05
01/07/2007 667.95
01/07/2008 686.20
01/07/2009 711.75
01/07/2010 726.35 (Note 3A)
01/07/2011 726.35
01/07/2012 726.35
01/07/2013 726.35 (Note 3B)
01/07/2014 726.35
01/07/2015 726.35
01/07/2016 726.35 (Note 3C)
01/07/2017 737.30
01/07/2018 751.90
01/07/2019 766.50
01/07/2020 781.10
01/07/2021 788.40
01/07/2022 817.60
01/07/2023 879.65

Act reference: FAAct Schedule 1 clause 7 Standard rate, Schedule 1 clause 8 Base FTB child rate, Schedule 1 clause 38A Rate of FTB Part A supplement

Notes for Table 3

Note Explanation
3A In the 2011-12 Budget, the Government announced that the FTB Part A supplement rate will be maintained at the same level for 3 years until 30 June 2014.
3B In the 2013-14 Budget, the Government announced that the FTB Part A supplement rate will be maintained at the same level for a further 3 years until 30 June 2017.
3C The Budget Savings (Omnibus) Act introduced an income limit of $80,000 for the FTB Part A supplement.

Table 4: Rates of ES Part A

ES Part A is a per child payment introduced for the 2013-14 income year. It is a component of the maximum and base rates of FTB Part A. ES may be paid fortnightly, quarterly or as a lump sum at the end of an income year, after reconciliation has occurred.

Note: From 20 March 2017, ES ceased for new FTB claimants. For individuals who became new recipients of FTB after 20 September 2016, they will no longer be paid ES after 19 March 2017. However, eligible individuals and ACOs may continue to be paid ES as part of their FTB rate under grandfathering rules. See 8.2.

Maximum rates of ES Part A per fortnight

Date payable from Children aged
0 to 12 years
($ pf)
13 to 15 years
($ pf)
16 to 17 years (completed Yr 12 or equivalent)
($ pf)
16 to 19 years (full-time secondary student)
($ pf)
01/07/2013 3.36 4.34 1.40 4.34
01/07/2014 to current
Note 4A
3.50 4.48 Note 1D 4.48

Base rates of ES Part A per fortnight

Date payable from Rate per child
($ pf)
01/07/2013 1.40
01/07/2014 to current
Note 4A
1.40

Notes for Table 4

Note Explanation
4A Prior to 20 September 2014 the ES was known as the clean energy supplement. From 20 September 2014, ES ceased to be indexed.

Table 5: Rates of LFS, MBA, NBS & NBU

Date payable from LFS
($)
MBA - triplets
($)
MBA - quads or more
($)
NBS - higher rate
($)
NBS - lower rate
($)
NBU
($)
01/07/2000 7.98 97.16 129.64 - - -
01/07/2001 8.40 102.76 137.20 - - -
01/07/2002 8.68 105.98 141.40 - - -
01/07/2003 8.96 109.20 145.60 - - -
01/07/2004 9.24 111.86 149.10 - - -
01/07/2005 9.52 114.80 153.02 - - -
01/07/2006 (Note 5A) 9.80 118.02 157.36 - - -
01/07/2007 10.08 121.94 162.54 - - -
01/07/2008 10.36 125.58 167.44 - - -
01/07/2009 10.78 130.20 173.60 - - -
01/07/2010 11.06 133.00 177.24 - - -
01/07/2011 11.34 136.64 182.00 - - -
01/07/2012 11.76 140.84 187.60 - - -
01/07/2013 12.04 143.92 191.66 - - -
01/03/2014 12.04 143.92 191.66 231.00 (Note 5B) 77.00 (Note 5B) 500.00 (Note 5C)
01/07/2014 12.32 147.84 196.84 237.30 79.10 514.00
01/07/2015 12.46 (Note 5D) 150.36 200.20 241.36 80.50 523.00
01/07/2016 Note 5E 152.88 203.56 245.42 81.90 532.00
01/07/2017 - 155.12 206.64 249.06 83.16 540.00
01/07/2018 - 158.06 210.56 253.82 84.70 550.00
01/07/2019 - 160.86 214.34 258.44 86.24 560.00
01/07/2020 - 163.80 218.26 263.06 87.78 570.00
01/07/2021 - 165.34 220.22 265.44 88.62 575.00
01/07/2022 - 171.08 227.92 274.68 91.70 595.00
01/07/2023 - 184.38 245.70 296.10 98.84 641.00

Act reference: FAAct pre-1 July 2016 Schedule 1 clause 35 Rate of large family supplement

Policy reference: FA Guide 3.1.4 FTB Part A rate calculation - Method 1, 3.1.8 FTB Part A rate calculation - Method 2, 1.2.18 Newborn supplement (NBS) - description

Notes for Table 5

Note Explanation
5A LFS was payable for the 4th and each subsequent FTB child until 1 July 2006 when it was extended to the 3rd and each subsequent FTB child.
5B NBS is only payable with FTB Part A for a period of up to 13 weeks (91 days).
5C NBU is not part of the FTB Part A rate calculation, NBU is a one-off lump sum payment which is paid in respect of the first day of NBS eligibility.
5D LFS was payable for the third and each subsequent FTB child from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2015. From 1 July 2015 it was restricted to the fourth and each subsequent FTB child.
5E LFS ceased to be payable from 1 July 2016.

Table 6: FTB child income threshold

Date FTB children aged
5 to 15 years
(not studying full-time)
($)
16 to 24 years
(in full-time study)
($)
01/07/2000 7,662.00 7,662.00
01/07/2001 8,078.00 8,078.00
01/07/2002 8,346.00 8,346.00
01/07/2003 8,613.00 8,613.00
01/07/2004 10,948.00 10,948.00
01/07/2005 11,233.00 11,233.00
01/07/2006 11,548.00 11,548.00
01/07/2007 11,929.00 11,929.00
01/07/2008 12,287.00 12,287.00
01/07/2009 12,742.00 12,742.00
01/07/2010 13,010.00 13,010.00
01/07/2011 13,361.00 13,361.00
Date FTB children aged
5 to 15 years
(not studying full-time)
($)
16 to 21 years
(not a senior secondary school child)
(Note 6A)
($)
16 to 20 years
(exempt from the FTB activity test)
($)
01/01/2012
(Note 6B)
13,361.00 13,361.00 13,361.00
01/07/2012 13,775.00 13,775.00 13,775.00
Date FTB children aged
5 to 15 years
(not studying full-time)
($)
16 to 19 years
(not a senior secondary school child)
(Note 1C)
($)
16 to 19 years
(exempt from the FTB activity test)
(Note 1C)
($)
01/07/2013 14,078.00 14,078.00 14,078.00
01/05/2014 Note 6C

Notes for Table 6

Note Explanation
6A The child income threshold does apply to FTB children on or after 1 January 2012 who are older than 21 years and for whom FTB is still payable after this date (2.1.1.10).
6B From 1 January 2012 the child income threshold does not apply to FTB children who are senior secondary school children (1.1.S.27) aged 16 to 19 years, up to the end of the calendar year in which they turn 19. Where an FTB child aged 16 to 19 years is exempt from the FTB activity test the child income threshold will continue to apply.
6C From 1 May 2014 the child income threshold ceased to apply.

Table 7: Maintenance income free area - per annum

Date Single parent, or one of a couple receiving maintenance
($)
Couple, each receiving maintenance
($)
For each additional child
($)
01/07/2000 1,007.40 2,014.80 335.80
01/07/2001 1,062.15 2,124.30 354.05
01/07/2002 1,095.00 2,190.00 365.00
01/07/2003 1,127.85 2,255.70 375.95
01/07/2004 1,149.75 2,299.50 383.25
01/07/2005 1,182.60 2,365.20 394.20
01/07/2006 1,215.45 2,430.90 405.15
01/07/2007 1,259.25 2,518.50 419.75
01/07/2008 1,292.10 2,584.20 430.70
01/07/2009 1,335.90 2,671.80 445.30
01/07/2010 1,368.75 2,737.50 456.25
01/07/2011 1,401.60 2,803.20 467.20
01/07/2012 1,445.40 2,890.80 481.80
01/07/2013 1,478.25 2,956.50 492.75
01/07/2014 1,522.05 3,044.10 507.35
01/07/2015 1,543.95 3,087.90 514.65
01/07/2016 1,565.85 3,131.70 521.95
01/07/2017 1,587.75 3,175.50 529.25
01/07/2018 1,620.60 3,241.20 540.20
01/07/2019 1,653.45 3,306.90 551.15
01/07/2020 1,686.30 3,372.60 562.10
01/07/2021 1,697.25 3,394.50 565.75
01/07/2022 1,752.00 3,504.00 584.00
01/07/2023 1,883.40 3,766.80 627.80

Last reviewed: