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.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 2011

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 8 November 2011 (v1.147)

Page Title Details
1.1.F.53 FTB activity test Clarified studying overseas.
1.1.M.50 Member of a couple Updated definition. Added explanation of multiple relationships.
1.1.S.45 Severe financial hardship Clarified policy regarding FTB advance.
1.2.8.10 FTB Advance Payments - Details Clarified policy regarding variations to FTB Part A rates during a bereavement after a lump-sum has been paid.
1.2.8.20 Variations to FTB Advance Repayment Period Updated information regarding increased repayments.
2.1.1.110 Death of an FTB or Regular Care Child Updated eligibility.
3.2.2 Taxable Income Clarified taxable income.
3.2.4 Target Foreign Income Clarified policy.
3.2.5 Total Net Investment Loss Clarified policy.
3.2.8.30 Revised Estimates Clarified that mandatory continuous adjustmentis not applied to CCB.
6.4.1.30 Reconciliation Process Updated example under 'Different timing of FTB & CCB reconciliation'.
6.4.3.70 Non-entitlement to Payment of FTB Based on an Estimate Clarified policy.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 20 September 2011 (v1.146)

Page Title Details
1.1.F.53 FTB activity test Added act reference.
1.1.F.60 Full-time study Added act reference.
1.1.H.05 Healthy start for school child health check New definition.
1.1.I.120 Intervening activity (JETCCFA) Clarified definition.
1.1.J.50 JETCCFA activity limits Clarified definition.
1.2.1 Family Tax Benefit (FTB) - Description Updated to reflect Health Check Measure.
2.1.1.10 FTB Child Added act reference.
2.8.3.20 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Work (Paid & Unpaid) or Setting Up a Business Added policy reference.
2.8.3.40 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Study & Training Added policy reference.
2.8.3.50 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Labour Market Programs (LMPs) & Personal Support Added policy reference.
3.1.1.20 Current FTB Rates & Income Test Amounts Added policy reference.
3.1.3 Apportioning Income Test Reductions between FTB Part A Components Updated rates in example.
3.1.4.30 Rent Assistance Updated rates.
3.1.4.50 Automatic HCC Clarified policy.
3.1.5.25 Who is Entitled to Apply for Maintenance Updated to reflect Health Check Measure.
3.1.5.30 Taking Reasonable Maintenance Action Updated policy.
3.1.5.50 Reasonable Maintenance Action Completed Updated policy.
3.1.5.60 When Maintenance Action is Not Applicable Updated to reflect Health Check Measure.
3.1.5.70 Exemptions from the Maintenance Action Test Updated to reflect Health Check Measure.
3.2.8.10 Initial Estimate When Making a Claim Updated to reflect Health Check Measure.
3.2.8.30 Revised Estimates Updated to reflect Health Check Measure.
3.6.2 FTB Rent Assistance - Historical Rates & Thresholds Updated rates.
4.3.1.10 FTB Payment Delivery Choices Updated to reflect Health Check Measure.
6.2 Internal Reviews Updated to reflect Health Check Measure.
6.4.1.30 Reconciliation Process Updated policy.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 5 September 2011 (v1.145)

Page Title Details
1.2.8 FTB Advance - Description Added act reference.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 11 August 2011 (v1.144)

Page Title Details
1.2.2 Baby Bonus - Description Updated policy.
2.4.2 Apportioning of Baby Bonus Clarified policy
2.4.3 Baby Bonus Instalments & Specialist Referrals Clarified policy
3.1.1.40 Calculating FTB Bereavement Payment Clarified policy.
3.2.1 Adjusted Taxable Income - General Provisions Clarified policy.
3.2.2 Taxable Income Clarified policy.
3.2.3 Adjusted Fringe Benefits Updated baby bonus policy.
3.2.4 Target Foreign Income Updated baby bonus policy.
3.2.5 Total Net Investment Loss Updated baby bonus policy.
3.2.6 Tax Free Pensions or Benefits Updated baby bonus policy.
3.2.7 Deductible Child Maintenance Expenditure Updated baby bonus policy.
3.2.8.10 Initial Estimate When Making A Claim Updated baby bonus policy.
3.2.9 Reportable Superannuation Contributions Updated baby bonus policy.
4.5.1 Claims for Baby Bonus & MIA Clarified policy.
4.5.3 Payment of Baby Bonus & MIA Clarified policy.
6.2 Internal Reviews Clarified policy.
7.2.1 Debt Recovery - General Provisions Clarified policy.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 1 July 2011 (v1.143)

Page Title Details
1.1.A.55 Advance assessment day (FTB advance) New definition.
1.1.C.90 Care (FTB) Updated definition.
1.1.D.60 Debt, debtor Updated to reflect FTB advance changes.
1.1.E.30 Entitlement (FTB, CCB & CCR) Updated definition.
1.1.F.53 FTB activity test Updated definition.
1.1.F.55 FTB advance rate (FTB) (deleted - see 1.2.8) Removed content.
1.1.F.60 Full-time study Updated definition.
1.1.I.70 Income thresholds (CCB) Updated to reflect indexation.
1.1.M.25 Maximum amount (FTB advance) New definition.
1.1.M.27 Maximum weekly benefit (CCB) Updated to reflect indexation.
1.1.M.30 Maximum weekly entitlement (CCB) Updated to reflect indexation.
1.1.M.55 Minimum amount (FTB advance) New definition.
1.1.O.30 Original repayment period (FTB advance) New definition.
1.1.P.78 Period of payment (CCR) Updated definition.
1.1.R.33 Repayment period (FTB advance) New definition.
1.1.S.100 Standard hourly rate (CCB) Updated rates.
1.1.S.105 Standard reduction (FTB) New definition.
1.2.1 Family Tax Benefit (FTB) - Description Updated policy.
1.2.2 Baby Bonus - Description Updated policy.
1.2.7 Child Care Rebate (CCR) - Description Updated policy.
1.2.8 FTB Advance - Description New section.
2.1.1.10 FTB Child Updated policy.
2.1.1.60 Change of Care of an FTB Child Updated terminology.
2.1.1.70 Disputed Care Arrangements Clarified policy.
2.1.1.85 Formal & Informal Care of an FTB Child Updated policy.
2.1.2.10 Residence Requirements Updated policy.
2.4.1 Eligibility for Baby Bonus Updated policy.
2.4.2 Apportioning of Baby Bonus Updated policy
2.4.3 Baby Bonus Instalments & Specialist Referrals Updated policy
2.7 Entitlement to FTB Advance Payment New topic.
2.9 CCR Eligibility Updated policy.
3.1.1.20 Current FTB Rates & Income Test Amounts Updated rates.
3.1.1.31 Shared Care Rate Calculation Updated rates used in example.
3.1.1.33 Sharing FTB in Blended Families - pre July 2008 Removed example.
3.1.1.40 Calculating FTB Bereavement Payment Updated to reflect FTB advance changes.
3.1.2 FTB Rate for ACOs Updated rate.
3.1.3 Apportioning Income Test Reductions between FTB PArt A Components Updated rates in example.
3.1.7.10 Maintenance Income Test - General Provisions Updated to reflect indexation.
3.1.11 Advance Payment of FTB Part A Updated to reflect FTB advance changes.
3.2.8.10 Initial Estimate When Making a Claim Updated policy.
3.2.8.30 Revised Estimates Clarified policy.
3.3 Baby Bonus Rate Updated rate.
3.4 MIA Rate Updated rate.
3.5.1 CCB Entitlement - General Provisions Updated to reflect indexation.
3.5.2.40 Calculating the Approved Care Taxable Income Percentage Updated rates.
3.5.2.50 Calculating the Approved Care Multiple Child Percentage Updated rates.
3.5.2.70 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 1 Child, Income below Upper Threshold Updated rates.
3.5.2.80 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 4 Children, Income above Upper Threshold Updated to reflect indexation.
3.6.1 FTB Part A - Historical Rates Updated rates.
3.6.3 FTB Part B - Historical Rates Updated rates.
3.6.4 Maternity Payments - Historical Rates Updated rates.
3.6.5.10 CCB - Historical Standard Hourly Rate Updated rates.
3.6.5.20 CCB - Historical Income Thresholds Updated thresholds.
3.6.5.30 CCB - Historical Maximum Weekly Benefit Updated rates.
3.6.5.40 CCB - Historical Maximum Weekly Entitlement Updated rates.
3.6.7 CCR - Historical Limits Updated to reflect indexation.
3.8.1 CCR Limit Calculations - General Provisions Updated to reflect indexation changes.
3.8.2 CCR Limit Calculations - General Provisions Updated to reflect CCR changes.
4.1.2 Protection of Payment Updated rates used in examples.
4.3 FTB Payment Options Updated terminology.
4.3.1.10 FTB Payment Delivery Choices Updated to reflect FTB advance changes.
4.3.1.30 Mandatory Continuous Adjustment of FTB Instalments Updated policy.
4.3.9 Advances of FTB Part A (deleted - see 1.2.8) Removed content from whole section.
4.4.2.20 Change in Income Related Circumstances Added information about mandatory continuous adjustment.
4.5.1 Claims for Baby Bonus & MIA Updated policy.
4.5.2 Payment of Baby Bonus & MIA Updated policy.
4.6.4.20 No CCB as Reduced Fees - Any CCB Entitlement at End of Year Updated income limit for indexation.
4.12 CCR - Payments Updated policy.
6.1 FAO Review & Appeal Process Updated policy.
6.4.1.20 Payments Included in Reconciliation Updated to reflect FTB advance changes.
6.4.1.30 Reconciliation Process Updated policy.
6.4.2.20 Income Test Exemptions for Income Support Recipients Updated rates used in example.
6.4.3.20 Non-lodger Process Updated policy.
6.4.3.30 Outcomes of Non-lodger Process Updated policy.
6.4.3.40 Non-payment of FTB Based on an Estimate Updated policy.
7.1.2 FA Debts - Individuals & ACOs Updated to reflect FTB advance changes.
7.4 Child Support Debts Updated policy
7.6 FTB Advance Debts New topic.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 16 May 2011 (v1.142)

Page Title Details
1.1.M.10 Maintenance (FTB) Clarified definition.
1.1.M.21 Maintenance income free area (FTB) Updated definition.
2.4.1 Eligibility for Baby Bonus Clarified eligibility arrangements, particularly as related to long term foster care and adoption of older children.
3.1.1.40 Calculating FTB Bereavement Payment Clarified policy.
3.1.5.70 Exemptions from the Maintenance Action Test Amended Family Law Act reference.
3.1.7.15 Relevant Period Updated policy.
3.2.4 Target Foreign Income Updated rates.
3.2.7 Deductible Child Maintenance Expenditure Clarified policy.
3.6.5.10 CCB - Historical Standard Hourly Rate Updated historical rates.
3.6.5.20 CCB - Historical Income Thresholds Updated historical income thresholds.
3.6.5.30 CCB - Historical Maximum Weekly Benefit Updated historical rates.
3.6.5.40 CCB - Historical Maximum Weekly Entitlement Updated historical rates.
3.6.6 Foreign Exchange Rate - Historical Rates Updated rates.
4.3.1.30 Mandatory Continuous Adjustment of FTB for Instalment Recipients Updated policy.
4.4.5.20 Income Tax Return Not Lodged Clarified date of effect rules.
6.1 FAO Review & Appeal Process Clarified process.
6.2 Internal Reviews Clarified review processes for care percentage decisions.
6.4.4.20 Reconciliation - Ex-partners Clarified date of effect rules
7.2.3 Debt Recovery from FA Entitlement Clarified policy.
7.2.5 Debt Recovery from Income Tax Refund Clarified policy.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 21 March 2011 (v1.141)

Page Title Details
3.1.3 Apportioning Income Test Reductions between FTB Part A Components Updated rates.
3.1.4.30 Rent Assistance Updated rates.
3.6.2 FTB Rent Assistance - Historical Rates & Thresholds Updated rates.
4.3 FTB Payment Options Updated note.
4.3.1.10 FTB Payment Delivery Choices Added note.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 7 March 2011 (v1.140)

Page Title Details
3.1.11 Advance Payment of FTB Part A Updated rate in example.
3.3 Baby Bonus Rate Clarified examples.
4.2.4.130 Claim Action 13 - Taxable Income Not Assessed Removed duplicate sentences.
4.3.8 Payment through the ATO Clarified policy.
4.5.2 Determination of Baby Bonus & MIA Claims Clarified policy.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 7 February 2011 (v1.139)

Page Title Details
1.1.I.10 Immunisation requirements (MIA, CCB) Clarified definition.
1.1.P.100 Prescribed Educational Scheme Clarified definition.
3.1.5.30 Taking Reasonable Maintenance Action Clarified policy.
3.1.5.60 When Maintenance Action is Not Applicable Clarified policy.
3.1.5.70 Exemptions from the Maintenance Action Test Clarified policy.
3.1.9.10 Calculating FTB Part B Removed note on parental leave pay and baby bonus from 1 January 2011.
4.4.2.20 Change in Income Related Circumstances Clarified date of effect rules when an individual is cancelled due to income changes.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 4 January 2011 (v1.138)

Page Title Details
1.2.2 Baby Bonus - Description Updated for the introduction of paid parental leave.
2.4.1 Eligibility for Baby Bonus Updated for the introduction of paid parental leave.
2.4.2 Apportioning of Baby Bonus Updated for the introduction of paid parental leave.
3.1.7.10 Maintenance Income Test Added information relating to review of child support entitlement.
3.2.5 Total Net Investment Loss Clarified policy.
3.3 Baby Bonus Rate Clarified policy.
4.5.2 Determination of Baby Bonus & MIA Claims Updated for the introduction of paid parental leave.
4.5.3 Payment of Baby Bonus & MIA Updated for the introduction of paid parental leave.
6.4.3.70 Non-entitlement to Payment of FTB Based on an Estimate Clarified application of non-entitlement provision.