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 - 2012

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 12 November 2012 (v1.156)

Page Title Details
1.1.C.05 Care arrangement (FTB) Clarified policy regarding written agreements.
1.1.I.105 Interim period (FTB) Clarified care arrangement end dates.
1.1.N.27 Non-Agency payment (NAP) Updated explanation regarding private collect cases.
2.1.1.10 FTB Child Added link to 2.1.2.10.
2.1.1.70 Disputed Care Arrangements Clarified policy.
3.1.5.70 Exemptions from the Maintenance Action Test Clarified policy.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 20 September 2012 (v1.155)

Page Title Details
1.1.C.05 Care arrangement (FTB) Added link to parenting plan.
1.2.2 Baby Bonus - Description Updated to reflect legislative changes effective 1 September 2012.
2.1.1.15 Verification of Child's Name & Date of Birth Added policy reference.
2.4.2 Apportioning of Baby Bonus Updated to reflect legislative changes effective 1 September 2012.
2.4.3 Baby Bonus instalments & Specialist Referrals Updated to reflect legislative changes effective 1 September 2012.
2.8.3.50 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Labour Market Programs (LMPs) & Personal Support Updated policy.
3.1.5.50 Reasonable Maintenance Action Completed Clarified private collection - non-payment of child support arrears.
3.1.7.05 Maintenance Income Credit Updated policy.
3.2.4 Target Foreign Income Updated exchange rates.
3.3 Baby Bonus Rate Updated to reflect legislative changes effective 1 September 2012.
3.6.4 Maternity Payments - Historical Rates Updated to reflect legislative changes effective 1 September 2012.
3.6.6 Foreign Exchange Rate - Historical Rates Updated exchange rates.
4.5.3 Payment of Baby Bonus & MIA Updated to reflect legislative changes effective 1 July 2012.
7.3.2 Waiver of Debts Clarified policy.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 2 July 2012 (v1.154)

Page Title Details
1.1.A.80 Approved care organisation (ACO) Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
1.1.F.02 Family assistance Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
1.1.I.10 Immunisation requirements (FTB, CCB, MIA) Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
1.1.I.70 Income thresholds (CCB) Updated for indexation.
1.1.I.120 Intervening activity (JETCCFA) Clarified policy.
1.1.M.27 Maximum weekly benefit (CCB) Updated for indexation.
1.1.M.30 Maximum weekly entitlement (CCB) Updated for indexation.
1.1.M.40 Medical practitioner (FTB, CCB, MIA) Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
1.1.N.27 Non-agency payment (NAP) Clarified policy.
1.1.N.31 Non-entitlement to FTB due to 3 or more non-lodger decisions Updated policy.
1.1.N.32 Non-entitlement to payment of FTB based on an estimate due to underestimation of income New page.
1.1.P.78 Period of payment (CCR) Updated for indexation.
1.1.Q.10 Qualifying period (FTB) Updated to reflect changes to percentage of care rules.
1.1.S.100 Standard hourly rate (CCB) Updated for indexation.
1.1.S.140 Study (JETCCFA) Clarified policy.
1.1.T.55 Training (JETCCFA) Clarified policy.
1.2.1 Family Tax Benefit (FTB) - Description Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
1.2.3 Maternity Immunisation Allowance (MIA) - Description Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
1.2.12 One-off Education Tax Refund Payment - Description New page.
2.1.1.10 FTB child Updated to reflect changes to percentage of care rules.
2.1.1.70 Disputed Care Arrangements Updated to reflect changes to percentage of care rules.
2.1.1.90 Abducted, Absent or Missing Child Updated to reflect legislative changes from 1 July 2012.
2.1.3 Immunisation Exceptions for FTB & MIA New page.
2.5 MIA Eligibility Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
2.5.1 MIA Eligibility (deleted) Content removed.
2.5.2 MIA Eligibility & Claiming Provisions - Transitional Arrangements Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
2.5.3 Transitional Arrangements for MIA New page.
2.6.2.30 Immunisation Exceptions for CCB Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
2.8.3.20 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Work (Paid & Unpaid) or Setting Up a Business Clarified 'building Australia's future workforce' participants.
2.8.3.40 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Study & Training Clarified policy.
3.1.1.20 Current FTB Rates & Income Test Amounts Updated to reflect indexation and immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
3.1.1.31 Shared Care Rate Calculation Updated for indexation.
3.1.3 Apportioning Income Test Reductions between FTB Part A Components Updated for indexation.
3.1.5.50 Reasonable Maintenance Action Completed Updated policy to reflect Child Support Measure.
3.1.6.40 Child Support Assessments Clarified policy.
3.1.6.70 Child Support Collection Updated policy.
3.1.6.80 Changing the Method of Collection Updated policy to reflect Child Support Measure.
3.1.7.10 Maintenance Income Test - General Provisions Clarified policy.
3.4 MIA Rate Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
3.5.1 CCB Entitlement - General Provisions Updated for indexation.
3.5.2.40 Calculating the Approved Care Taxable Income Percentage Updated for indexation.
3.5.2.50 Calculating the Approved Care Multiple Child Percentage Updated for indexation.
3.5.2.70 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 1 Child, Income below Upper Threshold Updated for indexation.
3.5.2.80 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 4 Children, Income above Upper Threshold Updated for indexation.
3.5.2.90 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 2 Children, Income above Upper Threshold Updated for indexation.
3.6.1 FTB Part A - Historical Rates Updated for indexation.
3.6.3 FTB Part B - Historical Rates Updated for indexation.
3.6.5.10 CCB - Historical Standard Hourly Rate Updated for indexation.
3.6.5.20 CCB - Historical Income Thresholds Updated for indexation.
3.6.5.30 CCB - Historical Maximum Weekly Benefit Updated for indexation.
3.6.5.40 CCB - Historical Maximum Weekly Entitlement Updated for indexation.
3.6.6 Foreign Exchange Rate - Historical Rates Updated for indexation.
3.8.1 CCR Limit Calculations - General Provisions Updated for indexation.
3.8.2 CCR Limit Calculation - Examples Updated for indexation.
4.1.4 Early Claims for Family Assistance Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
4.2 Claims for FTB Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
4.3.1.10 FTB Payment Delivery Choices Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
4.3.3 Instalments Paid by Direct Credit Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
4.4.1 Reasons for FTB Reassessment Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
4.5 Claims for Baby Bonus & MIA Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
4.5.1 Claims for Baby Bonus & MIA Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
4.5.2 Determination of Baby Bonus & MIA Claims Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
4.6.1 General Provisions for Individual's Claims & Payments Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
4.6.4.20 No CCB as Reduced Fees - Any CCB Entitlement at End of Year Updated for indexation.
6.2 Internal Reviews Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
6.4.1.20 Payments Affected by Reconciliation Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
6.4.1.30 Reconciliation Process Updated for indexation and to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
6.4.1.40 Outcomes of Reconciliation Updated to reflect immunisation amendment effective from 1 July 2012.
6.4.3.30 Outcomes of Non-lodger Process Updated policy references.
6.4.3.40 Non-payment of FTB Based on an Estimate Updated policy references.
6.4.3.60 Removal of Non-payment of FTB Based on an Estimate Updated terminology.
6.4.3.70 Non-entitlement to FTB Based on an Estimate Due to 3 or More Non-Lodger Decisions Updated title and policy references.
6.6 Non-entitlement to FTB Based on an Estimate Due to 2 Consecutive Zero Entitlement Reconciliations New section.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 1 June 2012 (v1.153)

Page Title Details
2.8.3.20 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Work (Paid & Unpaid) or Setting Up a Business Added information relating to work activity limits for building Australia's future workforce participants.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 9 May 2012 (v1.152)

Page Title Details
1.1.E.05 Education institution (JETCCFA) Updated to reflect new study/training activity limits.
1.1.I.120 Intervening activity (JETCCFA) Updated to reflect new study/training activity limits.
1.1.J.30 JETCCFA activities Updated example to reflect new study/training activity limits.
1.1.J.50 JETCCFA activity limits Updated to reflect new study/training activity limits.
1.1.J.95 JETCCFA employment pathway plan Updated to reflect Building Australia's Future Workforce measure.
1.1.S.140 Study (JETCCFA) Updated to reflect new study/training activity limits.
1.1.T.55 Training (JETCCFA) Updated to reflect new study/training activity limits.
2.8.3.40 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Study & Training Updated to reflect new study/training activity limits.
4.10.3 Reapplying for JETCCFA Clarified policy.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 30 April 2012 (v1.151)

Page Title Details
1.1.C.05 Care arrangement (FTB) Clarified written agreement for the care of a child.
1.1.C.90 Care (FTB) Updated terminology.
1.1.M.25 Maximum amount (FTB advance) Clarified policy.
1.2.9 Clean Energy Advance (CEA) - Description New page.
1.2.10 Clean Energy Supplement (CES) - Description New page.
1.2.11 Single Income Family Supplement (SIFS) - Description New page.
2.1.1 FTB Child & Regular Care Child Updated act reference.
2.1.2.10 Residence Requirements Clarified FTB eligibility for holders of certain visa classes.
3.1.1.40 Calculating FTB Bereavement Payment Clarified bereavement rate calculation during the 14 week period.
3.1.5.30 Taking Reasonable Maintenance Action Added details regarding maladministration by the FAO or CSA.
3.1.6.55 Child Support Case Ended - Payer not a Parent of the Child Clarified policy.
3.1.7.14 Notional Assessments Updated examples.
3.1.11 Advance Payment of FTB Part A Clarified policy regarding reduction in advance amount due to repayment of previous advance.
4.5.1 Claims for Baby Bonus & MIA Added examples to clarify 52 week cut-off for lodgement of baby bonus claims.
6.4.2.30 FTB Reconciliation Due to Maintenance Income Clarified policy

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 20 March 2012 (v1.150)

Page Title Details
2.1.2.10 Residence Requirements Clarified residence requirements.
2.6.3.10 Eligibility Requirements for Up to 50 Hours CCB Clarified work, training and study test for paid or unpaid parental leave.
3.1.4.30 Rent Assistance Updated rates.
3.1.4.50 Health Care Card (HCC) Clarified policy.
3.1.7.21 Maintenance Income - Entitlement Method Updated policy.
3.6.2 FTB Rent Assistance - Historical Rates & Thresholds Updated rates.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 9 February 2012 (v1.149)

There were no policy changes for this release.

Family Assistance Guide Updates - 3 January 2012 (v1.148)

Page Title Details
1.1.C.90 Care (FTB) Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
1.1.E.30 Entitlement (FTB, CCB & CCR) Updated to reflect cap on CCR and indexation pause for CCR.
1.1.F.53 FTB activity test Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
1.1.F.57 FTB child rate Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
1.1.F.60 Full-time study (FTB) Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
1.1.S.27 Senior secondary school child (FTB) New page.
1.1.T.80 24 hour care, 24 hour care period (CCB) Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
1.2.1 Family Tax Benefit (FTB) - Description Clarified objective.
1.2.7 Child Care Rebate (CCR) - Description Updated to reflect cap on CCR and indexation pause for CCR.
2.1.1 FTB Child & Regular Care Child Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
2.1.1.10 FTB Child Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
2.1.1.60 Change of Care of an FTB Child Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
2.1.1.110 Death of an FTB or Regular Care Child Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
2.3.1 FTB Child of an ACO Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.1.20 Current FTB Rates & Income Test Amounts Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.1.40 Calculating FTB Bereavement Payment Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.1.60 Indexation of FTB Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.2 FTB Rate for ACOs Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.4.30 Rent Assistance Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.4.50 Automatic HCC Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.5.30 Taking Reasonable Maintenance Action Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.5.40 Maintenance Action in Progress Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.5.50 Reasonable Maintenance Action Completed Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.5.60 When Maintenance Action is Not Applicable Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.5.70 Exemptions from the Maintenance Action Test Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.6.40 Child Support Assessment Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.7.05 Maintenance Income Credit Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.7.10 Maintenance Income Test - General Provisions Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.7.12 Exempt Maintenance Income Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.9.10 Calculating FTB Part B Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.1.11 Advance Payment of FTB Part A Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.2.4 Target Foreign Income Added foreign exchange rates at 1 July 2011.
3.6.1 FTB Part A - Historical Rates Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.6.3 FTB Part B - Historical Rates Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
3.6.7 CCR - Historical Limits Updated to reflect cap on CCR and indexation pause for CCR.
3.8.1 CCR Limit Calculations - General Provisions Updated to reflect cap on CCR and indexation pause for CCR.
3.8.2 CCR Limit Calculation - Examples Updated to reflect cap on CCR and indexation pause for CCR.
4.3.1.20 FTB Payment Choices for Instalment Recipients Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
4.4.1 Reasons for FTB Reassessment Updated to reflect introduction of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
4.4.2.10 Change in Non-Income Related Circumstances Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
4.4.8 Review of FTB Entitlements Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
5.2.1.30 Change of Rate CIrcumstances Updated to reflect implementation of the Supporting Families with Teenagers measure.
7.2.2 Debt Recovery by Deduction Clarified policy.
7.2.4 Debt Recovery by Cash Clarified policy.