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 - 2007

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 3 December 2007 (v1.96)

Topic No. Topic Title Change
1.1.A.20 Adjusted taxable income (ATI) Clarified definition.
1.1.A.30 Adjustment payment (FTB) Updated terminology.
1.1.A.90 Approved service, approved care (CCB & CCTR) Updated terminology.
1.1.B.20 Bereavement claim, claim in substitution Updated terminology.
1.1.C.40 Cohabitation, living together (FTB) Updated terminology.
1.1.C.90 Care (FTB) Moved examples and updated definition.
2.5 MIA Eligibility Clarified qualifying day for MIA and updated terminology.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 5 November 2007 (v1.95)

Topic No. Topic Title Change
2.8.3.60 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Other Activities that Aid Parents to Engage in Sustainable Paid Work Amended approval limit to include JETCCFA time limit of 6 months for parents participating in Employment Participation or Intensive Support Customised Assistance.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 20 September 2007 (v1.94)

Topic No. Topic Title Change
1.1.A.90 Approved service, approved care (CCB & CCTR) Added child care tax rebate to the definitions.
1.1.E.17 Eligibility (FTB, CCB & CCTR) Added child care tax rebate to the definition.
1.1.E.30 Entitlement (FTB, CCB & CCTR) Added definition for child care tax rebate and updated definition for CCB.
1.1.P.78 Period of payment (CCTR) New topic.
1.1.R.20 Registered care, registered carer (CCB) Added information on child care tax rebate to definition.
1.1.T.52 Total fee charged (CCTR) New topic.
1.2.7 Child Care Tax Rebate (CCTR) - Description Amended eligibility requirements and CCTR amount. Added CCTR claiming arrangements for 2006-07 onwards and for 2004-05 and 2005-06.
2.9 CCTR Eligibility New topic.
3.1.7.21 Maintenance Income - Entitlement Method Added that where a new entitlement amount is received during the year, the maintenance income amount used to affect family tax benefit is the apportioned amount.
3.2.4 Target Foreign Income Added 30 June 2007 foreign exchange rates and moved historical foreign exchange rates to 3.6.6.
3.3 Baby Bonus Rate Updated rate.
3.4 MIA Rate Updated rate.
3.6.4 MAT, MPY, MIA Updated historical rates.
3.6.6 Foreign Exchange Rate - Historical Rates New topic.
3.6.7 CCTR - Historical Rates New topic.
3.8 CCTR Rate Calculation New chapter.
4.1.2 Protection of Payment Updated to include CCTR.
4.3.6 Payments to a Third Party Updated to include CCTR.
4.12 CCTR Claims & Payments New topic.
6.4.1.10 Customers Affected by Reconciliation Added information on CCTR customers.
6.4.1.20 Payments Included in Reconciliation Added information on CCTR.
6.4.1.30 Reconciliation Process Added information on CCTR.
6.4.1.40 Outcomes of Reconciliation Added information on CCTR.
6.4.2.50 CCB & CCTR Reconciliation & Child Care Usage Added information on CCTR.
7.1.1 FA Debts - General Provisions Added information on CCTR.
7.1.2 Overpayments to Individuals & ACOs Added information on CCTR.
7.2.1 Debt Recovery - General Provisions Added information on CCTR.
7.2.3 Debt Recovery from Arrears of FA Updated to include CCTR.
7.2.5 Debt Recovery from Income Tax Refund Updated to include CCTR.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 3 September 2007 (v1.93)

Topic No. Topic Title Change
1.1.I.120 Intervening Activity (JETCCFA) New topic.
2.8.3.10 JETCCFA Activity Types Clarified JETCCFA activity types.
2.8.3.20 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Work (paid & unpaid) or Setting Up a Business Condensed information on approval limit and new activities. Moved information on activity limits for all other activities to new topics (2.8.3.30 to 2.8.3.70)
2.8.3.30 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Job Search New topic.
2.8.3.40 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Study & Training New topic.
2.8.3.50 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Labour Market Programs (LMPs) & Personal Support New topic.
2.8.3.60 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Other Activities that Aid Parents to Engage in Sustainable Paid Work New topic.
2.8.3.70 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Multiple Activities - Most Beneficial Activity New topic.
2.8.4.20 Backdating JETCCFA Clarified JETCCFA backdating criteria.
4.10.2 Claims for JETCCFA Clarified backdating of new JETCCFA claims by approved child care services.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 6 August 2007 (v1.92)

Topic No. Topic Title Change
1.1.A.80 Approved Care Organisation (ACO) Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
1.1.F.02 Family assistance Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007 and added CCTR to definition.
1.1.S.15 School child, non-school child Updated the definition of school child.
1.2.3 Maternity Immunisation Allowance (MIA) - Description Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
1.2.5 Maternity Allowance (MAT) - Description Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
1.3 Family Assistance Office (FAO) Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
2.1.2 Australian Residence Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
2.1.2.10 Residence Requirements Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
3.1.7.05 Maintenance Income Credit Clarified the requirements for accruing a MIC balance.
4.1.1 TFN Requirements Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
4.1.1.25 TFN Requirements for Baby Bonus & MIA Clarified the requirements for providing TFN details within 28 days.
4.1.2 Protection of Payment Included baby bonus as an inalienable payment under the FA(Admin)Act.
4.5.3 Payment of Baby Bonus & MIA Updated Act reference to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
6.2 Internal Reviews Updated Act reference to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 2 July 2007 (v1.91)

Topic No. Topic Title Change
1.1.I.10 Immunisation requirements (MIA, CCB) Clarified that for CCB a child under 7 and for MIA a child under 2 must be fully immunised.
1.1.I.70 Income thresholds (CCB) Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
1.1.M.27 Maximum weekly benefit (CCB) Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
1.1.M.30 Maximum weekly entitlement (CCB) Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
1.1.M.60 Minimum hourly rate (CCB) Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
1.1.S.05 Salary sacrificing (CCB) Clarified definition.
1.1.S.100 Standard hourly rate (CCB) Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
1.2.2 Baby Bonus - Description Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
1.2.7 Child Care Tax Rebate (CCTR) - Description New topic.
2.1.1.10 FTB Child of an Individual Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
2.1.1.15 Verification of Child's Name & Date of Birth Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
2.4 Baby Bonus Eligibility Updated whole chapter to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
2.5 MIA Eligibility Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
2.6.1 CCB Eligibility Criteria for Individuals Clarified CCB eligibility criteria.
3.1.1.10 Calculating a Rate of FTB - Overview Removed references to 1 July 2006 date of effect and date references in example.
3.1.1.20 Current FTB Rates & Income Test Amounts Updated rates.
3.1.1.30 Shared Care Rate for FTB Updated rates and clarified explanation.
3.1.1.31 Shared Care - Example of Rate Calculation Updated rates.
3.1.1.33 Blended Family - Example of Shared Payment Updated rates.
3.1.1.50 FTB Payments During Absence from Australia Changed the term applicant to recipient and changed example dates.
3.1.2 FTB Rate for ACOs Updated due to indexation of ACOs rate.
3.1.3 Apportioning Income Test Reductions between FTB Part A Rate Components Updated rates due to indexation.
3.1.4.10 Method 1 - Calculating the Maximum Rate of FTB Part A Removed references to 1 July 2006 date of effect.
3.1.4.20 Standard Rate - FTB Part A Method 1 Clarified effect of shared care.
3.1.4.30 Rent Assistance Updated rates and changed the term applicant to recipient.
3.1.4.40 Income Test - FTB Part A Method 1 Clarified policy.
3.1.4.50 Automatic HCC Removed references to 1 July 2006 date of effect.
3.1.7.05 Maintenance Income Credit Added act references and clarified background content.
3.1.7.10 Maintenance Income Test - General Provisions Updated rates.
3.1.11 Advance Payment of FTB Part A Updated examples with new rates and changed the term applicant to recipient.
3.3 Baby Bonus Rate Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007 and clarified policy on adopted children.
3.5.1 CCB Entitlement - General Provisions Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
3.5.2.40 Calculating the Approved Care Taxable Income Percentage Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
3.5.2.50 Calculating the Approved Care Multiple Child Percentage Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
3.5.2.70 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 1 Child, Income below Upper Threshold Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
3.5.2.80 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 4 Children, Income below Upper Threshold Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
3.5.2.90 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 2 Children, Income below Upper Threshold Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
3.6.1 FTB Part A - Historical Rates Added rates for 1 July 2007.
3.6.2 FTB Rent Assistance - Historical Rates & Thresholds Added rates for 1 July 2007.
3.6.3 FTB Part B - Historical Rates Added rates for 1 July 2007.
3.6.4 MAT, MPY, MIA & Baby Bonus - Historical Rates Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
3.6.5.10 CCB - Historical Standard Hourly Rate Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
3.6.5.20 CCB - Historical Income Thresholds Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
3.6.5.30 Historical Maximum Weekly Benefit Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
3.6.5.40 Historical Maximum Weekly Entitlement Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
4.1.1.25 TFN Requirements for Baby Bonus & MIA Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007 and clarified policy on TFN requirements.
4.2.2.40 Specific Requirements for an Instalment Claim Changed capitalised text to lower case.
4.2.3.20 Determining an FTB Claim Added Medicare Australia as a payment delivery agent.
4.2.4.100 Claim Action 10 - ATO Has Not Actioned TFN Request Clarified action on ATO advice.
4.2.4.130 Claim Action 13 - Taxable Income Not Assessed Clarified advice to be provided to claimant.
4.3 FTB Payment Options Changed title.
4.3.1 FTB Delivery Choices Clarified agency payments made through.
4.3.1.10 FTB Payment Delivery Choices Added Medicare Australia as a payment delivery agent.
4.3.1.40 Payment of Arrears - Financial Hardship Replaced reference to CSO with customer service assistant.
4.3.2 Payment Cycles for FTB Instalments Replaced reference to Centrelink with FAO.
4.3.5 Lump Sum Payment through Centrelink & Medicare Australia Added Medicare Australia as an agency that a claim can be made through.
4.3.9.10 Circumstances for Receiving an Advance Removed year references in examples and clarified Part A rate example.
4.4.1 Summary of Reasons for FTB Reassessment Replaced references to Centrelink with FAO.
4.4.2 Date of Effect of Reassessments for Instalment Claimants Replaced reference to Centrelink with FAO.
4.4.3 Estimate of Income Not Reasonable Clarified policy and example on assessing a reasonable income estimate.
4.4.4 Reassessment of FTB - Pension/Benefit Cancelled Changed capitalised text to lower case.
4.4.5.10 Failure to Provide Information - General Provisions Replaced references to Centrelink with FAO and removed year references in examples.
4.4.5.20 Income Tax Return Not Lodged Clarified consequences of non-lodgment of of income tax return.
4.4.5.30 Failure to Notify Change of Address Replaced references to Centrelink with FAO.
4.4.7 Customer Requests Cancellation of FTB Clarified terminology.
4.4.8 Review of FTB - Child Turning 16,18 or 21 Updated rates and clarified terminology.
4.5 Claims for Baby Bonus & MIA Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
4.5.1 Claims for Baby Bonus & MIA Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
4.5.2 Determination of Baby Bonus & MIA Claims Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007.
4.5.3 Payment of Baby Bonus & MIA Updated to reflect MPY renamed to baby bonus from 1 July 2007 and removed provision for the Secretary to direct payment methods that differ from a lump sum or fortnightly instalments.
4.6.4.20 Minimum Rate CCB as Reduced Fees - Rest at End of Year Updated rates due to indexation of CCB.
4.9.1 Overview of New Financial Year Assessments Clarified policy.
6.4.2.20 Exempting FTB Part A & CCB from the Income Test During Periods on Income Support Updated rates used in example.
6.4.3.20 Non-Lodger Process Clarified the non-lodger process.
6.4.3.30 Outcomes of Non-Lodger Process Clarified the reconciliation and debt raising process.
6.4.4.20 Treatment of Ex-partners Under Reconciliation Updated to reflect new reconciliation arrangements for separated couples.
7.2.1 Debt Recovery - General Provisions Clarified that only FTB reconciliation debts may be offset against arrears of FA.
7.2.3 Debt Recovery From Arrears of FA Clarified policy regarding offsetting debt agains arrears of FTB.
7.3.2.40 Waiver in Relation to Settlements Changed capitalised text to lower case.
8.1.1.10 FTB Transfers - General Provisions Replaced reference to Centrelink with FAO and clarified TFN details required for FTB.
8.1.1.20 FTB Transfers - Family Allowance Recipients Replaced references to Centrelink with FAO.
8.1.5 FTB Transfers - Advances of Family Allowance Changed capitalised text to lower case.
8.1.6.10 FTB Transfers - Shared Care Assessments Replaced reference to Centrelink with FAO and removed reference to family allowance.
8.1.6.20 FTB Transfers - Blended Family Assessments Assessment of higher income free area changed to apply to families with 3 or more children.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 4 June 2007 (v1.90)

Topic No. Topic Title Change
2.1.1.50 Shared Care & Calculating Percentage of Care Clarified the rounding rule for shared care.
2.6.2.20 Australian Residency Exceptions for CCB Updated Australian residency exceptions.
3.2.3 Adjusted Fringe Benefits Updated information on FBT year and rate.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 7 May 2007 (v1.89)

Topic No. Topic Title Change
3.1.5.30 Taking Reasonable Maintenance Action Revised period of grace to take maintenance action.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 2 April 2007 (v1.88)

Topic No. Topic Title Change
6.3.1 SSAT Reviews Removed the note regarding 13 week time limit for application for SSAT reviews.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 20 March 2007 (v1.87)

Topic No. Topic Title Change
3.3 MPY Rate Updated rate.
3.4 MIA Rate Updated rate.
3.6.4 MAT, MPY & MIA - Historical Rates Updated rates

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 5 March 2007 (v1.86)

Topic No. Topic Title Change
1.1.A.90 Approved service, approved care (CCB) Removed explanation.
1.1.N.33 Non-lodger Changed date by which tax returns should be lodged to June of the lodgement year.
1.1.T.70 Type of care (CCB) Revised definition of in home care.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 5 February 2007 (v1.85)

Topic No. Topic Title Change
3.1.4.30 Rent Assistance Updated rates and rent thresholds.
3.1.5.30 Taking Reasonable Maintenance Action Removed reference to lodge an application with the court as defining maintenance action.
3.1.7.15 Relevant Period Updated policy relating to end of the relevant period in arrears situation.
3.1.9.30 FTB Part B Return to Work Added timeframe to notify a return to work for customers who claim annually through Centrelink.
3.3 MPY Rate Updated policy relating to MPY claim timeframe for overseas adoption.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 2 January 2007 (v1.84)

Topic No. Topic Title Change
2.1.2.30 Temporary Absence from Australia Updated to reflect that an FTB recipient must advise the FAO of any absences from Australia.
2.4.3 MPY Instalments Updated information relating to referrals to a specialist officer. Added information relating to purpose of referrals and special circumstances.
3.1.5.30 Taking Reasonable Maintenance Action Updated for implementation of extension of grace to take maintenance action from 28 days to 3 weeks.
3.1.5.90 Reviews for the Maintenance Action Test Updated minimum rate of non-resident parent payment.
3.1.6.60 Stage 1 - No Registered or Informal Agreement or Court Order Updated for implementation of extension of grace to take maintenance action from 28 days to 3 weeks.
3.2.4 Target Foreign Income Added foreign exchange rates for 2006.
4.5.3 Payment of MPY & MIA Updated information relating to payment of MPY & MIA.
5.2.1.30 Change of Rate Circumstances Updated to reflect that an FTB recipient must advise the FAO of any absences from Australia.
6.4.2.30 FTB Reconciliation Due to Maintenance Income Updated information on maintenance income received during relevant period.