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 - 2014

12 December 2014 (v1.174)

Page Title Details
4.1.3.10 Payment Nominees Updated to reflect foreign fighters legislative change.
4.4.10 Security Notice Issued New page.

10 November 2014 (v1.173)

Page Title Details
1.1.I.70 Income thresholds (CCB) Clarified current income year.
1.1.M.27 Maximum weekly benefit (CCB) Clarified current income year.
2.1.1.30 Verification of Shared Care Arrangements Clarified policy.
2.1.1.60 Change of Care of an FTB child Clarified circumstances in which FTB may continue to be paid.
2.1.1.110 Death of an FTB or Regular Care Child Updated policy.
2.1.2.10 Residence Requirements Clarified exception to residence requirements for FTB.
2.1.3.20 CCB Immunisation Requirements Clarified policy.
2.8.2.30 JETCCFA Eligibility Exceptions Voluntary Claimants Updated policy.
6.2 Internal Reviews Updated policy.

19 September 2014 (v1.172)

Page Title Details
1.1.M.21 Maintenance income free area (FTB) Clarified policy.
1.1.M.25 Maximum amount (FTB advance) Clarified policy.
2.1.2.10 Residence Requirements Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.8.3.40 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Study & Training Clarified policy.
3.1.1.20 Current FTB Rates & Income Test Amounts Updated to include Maintenance Income Free Area.
3.1.4.30 Rent Assistance Updated rates.
3.1.7.05 Maintenance Income Credit Clarified policy.
3.1.7.10 Maintenance Income Test - General Provisions Clarified maintenance income free area.
3.6.3 FTB Part B - Historical Rates Updated to include Clean energy supplement Part B.
4.3.1.10 FTB Payment Delivery Choices Updated to include FTB delivery method and legislative changes.
4.4.4 Reassessment of FTB - Income Support Cancelled Clarified policy.
5.1.1.10 Power to Obtain Information Clarified policy.
7.5 JETCCFA Debts Updated act reference.
8.1.1 JET Child Care Participation Plans (deleted) Removed content.
8.1.2 SJFA & JCCB Recipients Undertaking Courses of Study & Training (deleted) Removed content.

11 August 2014 (v1.171)

Page Title Details
1.4.3.10 Duty of Care Updated legislation reference.
1.4.5 Act of Grace Payments Updated legislation reference.
2.6.2.20 Australian Residency Exceptions for CCB Updated to include subclass visa 449.
3.1.7.03 Maintenance Income Test Ceiling Clarified policy.
6.2 Internal Reviews Clarified policy.

1 July 2014 (v1.170)

Page Title Details
1.1.E.30 Entitlement (FTB, CCB & CCR) Updated to reflect legislative change.
1.1.I.70 Income thresholds (CCB) Updated to reflect 1 July indexation.
1.1.M.25 Maximum amount (FTB advance) Updated to reflect 1 July indexation.
1.1.M.27 Maximum weekly benefit (CCB) Updated to reflect 1 July indexation.
1.1.M.30 Maximum weekly entitlement (CCB) Updated for 1 July indexation.
1.1.S.100 Standard hourly rate (CCB) Updated for 1 July indexation.
1.2.7 Child Care Rebate (CCR) - Description Clarified policy.
1.2.16 Multiple Birth Allowance (MBA) - Description Updated rates.
1.2.17 Large Family Supplement (LFS) - Description Updated rates.
2.1.2.10 Residence Requirements Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.1.2.30 Temporary Absence from Australia Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.9 CCR Eligibility Clarified policy.
3.1.1.20 Current FTB Rates & Income Test Amounts Updated to reflect 1 July indexation.
3.1.1.25 Current CES Rates Updated rates.
3.1.1.30 Shared Care Rate for FTB Updated examples.
3.1.1.31 Shared Care Rate Calculation Updated examples.
3.1.1.50 FTB Payments During Absence from Australia Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.1.1.60 Indexation of FTB Clarified policy.
3.1.2 FTB Rate for ACOs Updated rates.
3.1.3 Apportioning Income Test Reductions between FTB Part A Components Clarified policy and updated examples.
3.1.5.70 Exemptions from the Maintenance Action Test Updated policy.
3.1.5.90 Maintenance Action Test Reviews Updated policy.
3.1.7.03 Maintenance Income Test Ceiling Updated example.
3.1.7.10 Maintenance Income Test - General Provisions Updated to reflect 1 July indexation.
3.1.11 Advance Payment of FTB Part A Updated rates.
3.2.7 Deductible Child Maintenance Expenditure Clarified policy.
3.5.1 CCB Entitlement - General Provisions Updated to reflect 1 July indexation.
3.5.2.40 Calculating the Approved Care Taxable Income Percentage Updated to reflect 1 July indexation.
3.5.2.50 Calculating the Approved Care Multiple Child Percentage Updated to reflect 1 July 2014 indexation.
3.5.2.70 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 1 Child, Income below Upper Threshold Updated to reflect 1 July indexation.
3.5.2.80 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 4 children, Income above Upper Threshold Updated for 1 July indexation.
3.5.2.90 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 2 Children, Income above Upper Threshold Updated for 1 July indexation.
3.6.1 FTB Part A - Historical Rates Updated to reflect legislative changes and rate changes.
3.6.3 FTB Part B - Historical Rates Updated rates.
3.6.5.10 CCB - Historical Standard Hourly Rate Updated rates.
3.6.5.20 CCB - Historical Income Thresholds Updated child care benefit income thresholds.
3.6.5.30 CCB - Historical Maximum Weekly Benefit Updated for 1 July indexation.
3.6.5.40 CCB - Historical Maximum Weekly Entitlement Updated for 1 July 2014 indexation.
3.6.7 CCR - Historical Limits Updated to reflect 1 July legislative changes.
3.8.1 CCR Limit Calculations - General Provisions Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.8.2 CCR Limit Calculation - Examples Updated for 1 July indexation.
3.9 SKB Rate Updated rates.
3.11 NBS Rate Updated rates.
4.6.4.20 No CCB as Reduced Fees - Any CCB Entitlement at End of Year Updated for 1 July indexation.
4.12 CCR - Payments Clarified policy.
5.2.1.20 Change of Eligibility Circumstances Updated to reflect legislative changes.
6.4.1.30 Reconciliation Process Updated examples.

12 May 2014 (v1.169)

Page Title Details
1.1.N.10 NBS period New page.
2.1.2.10 Residence Requirements Clarified policy.
2.1.2.30 Temporary Absence from Australia Clarified policy.
2.2.3 NBS & NBU Eligibility for Individuals Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.10.4 Eligible Activities (SKB) Clarified policy
3.1.1.50 FTB Payments During Absence from Australia Clarified policy.
3.1.5.50 Reasonable Maintenance Action Completed Clarified policy.
3.1.5.70 Exemptions from the Maintenance Action Test Clarified policy
3.2.3 Adjusted Fringe Benefits Updated FBT rate.
4.2.3.20 Determining an FTB Claim Added details about newborn baby supplement (NBS).
6.6.1 Non-entitlement to FTB Based on an Estimate Due to Underestimation of Income Clarified policy.
7.2.5 Debt Recovery from Income Tax Refund Updated policy

1 May 2014 (v1.168)

Page Title Details
1.1.C.80 Cut-out amount (FTB) Updated to reflect legislative changes.
1.1.F.53 FTB activity test Updated to reflect legislative changes.
1.1.F.57 FTB child rate Updated to reflect legislative changes.
1.1.F.60 Full-time secondary study (FTB) Updated to reflect legislative changes.
1.1.S.27 Senior secondary school child (FTB) Updated to reflect legislative changes.
2.1.1 FTB Child & Regular Care Child Updated to reflect legislative changes.
2.1.1.10 FTB Child Updated to reflect legislative changes.
2.1.1.11 Full-time Study Requirement New page. Moved previous content to 2.1.1.13.
2.1.1.13 Regular Care Child New page. Content previously found in section 2.1.1.11 moved to 2.1.1.13.
2.3.1 FTB Child of an ACO Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.1 FTB Rate Calculation Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.1.1.20 Current FTB Rates & Income Test Amounts Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.1.1.40 Calculating FTB Bereavement Payment Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.1.5.60 When Maintenance Action is not applicable Clarified policy.
3.1.7.12 Exempt Maintenance Income Clarified policy.
4.3.1.10 FTB Payment Delivery Choices Updated to reflect legislative changes.
4.3.1.20 FTB Payment Choices for Instalment Recipients Updated to reflect legislative changes.
4.4.8 Review of FTB Entitlements Updated to reflect legislative changes.
5.2.1.20 Change of Eligibility Circumstances Updated to reflect legislative changes.
5.2.1.30 Change of Rate Circumstances Updated to reflect legislative changes.
5.2.2 Information Required - Instalment Claims Updated to reflect legislative changes.

20 March 2014 (v1.167)

Page Title Details
1.1.P.20 Primary carer (FTB, baby bonus) Updated definition.
1.2.1 Family Tax Benefit (FTB) - Description Updated description.
1.2.2 Baby Bonus - Description Updated description.
2.1.1.90 Abducted, Absent or Missing Child Updated policy.
2.1.3.50 Healthy Start for School Requirements (FTB) Updated to reflect legislative changes.
2.1.3.60 Healthy Start for School Exemptions (FTB) Updated to reflect legislative changes.
2.4 Baby Bonus Eligibility Clarified 1 March legislative change.
2.4.1 Eligibility for Baby Bonus Clarified 1 March legislative change.
2.4.2 Apportioning of Baby Bonus Clarified 1 March legislative change.
2.4.3 Baby Bonus Instalments & Specialist Referrals Clarified 1 March legislative change.
2.8.2.10 JETCCFA Eligibility Exceptions for All Individuals Clarified policy when recipient leaves Australia for more than 6 weeeks.
2.12.1 SBP Eligibility Criteria Updated details regarding FTB reconciliation process.
3.1.1.50 FTB Payments During Absence from Australia Clarified visa categories which do not have portability.
3.1.4.30 Rent Assistance Updated rates and thresholds.
3.1.7.03 Maintenance Income Test Ceiling Clarified policy.
3.1.9.30 FTB Part B Return to Work Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.3 Baby Bonus Rate Clarified 1 March legislative change.
3.6.2 FTB Rent Assistance - Historical Rates & Thresholds Updated rates & thresholds.
3.6.4 Maternity Payments - Historical Rates Updated to reflect 1 March legislative change.
3.7.2.20 JETCCFA Parental Contribution Clarified policy.
4.1.1.25 TFN Requirements for Baby Bonus Updated to reflect 1 March legislative change.
4.1.4 Early Claims for Family Assistance Clarified 1 March legislative change.
4.4.8 Review of FTB Entitlements Updated policy.
4.5 Baby Bonus Claims & Payments Clarified 1 March legislative change.
4.5.1 Claims for Baby Bonus Updated to reflect 1 March legislative change.
4.5.2 Determination of Baby Bonus Claims Clarified 1 March legislative change.
4.5.3 Payment of Baby Bonus Clarified 1 March legislative change.
4.15.2 Determination of SBP Claims Clarified policy.
6.4.1.40 Outcomes of Reconciliation Updated to reflect 1 March legislative change.
6.4.3 Requirement to Lodge an Income Tax Return Updated to reflect introduction of newborn baby supplement (NBS).
6.4.3.20 Non-lodger Process Updated to reflect introduction of newborn baby supplement (NBS).
6.4.3.30 Outcomes of Non-lodger Process Updated to include stillborn baby payment (SBP).

10 February 2014 (v1.166)

Page Title Details
1.1.B.10 Base rate of FTB Updated to reflect introduction of newborn supplement.
1.1.B.17 Becomes entrusted Updated to reflect legislative changes.
1.1.M.10 Maintenance (FTB) Updated to reflect legislative changes.
1.1.M.26 Maximum rate (FTB) Updated to reflect legislative changes.
1.1.S.45 Severe financial hardship Clarified policy.
1.1.T.50 TFN definitions (FTB, SIFS, SBP, baby bonus) Updated to reflect legislative changes.
1.2.1 Family Tax Benefit (FTB) - Description Updated to reflect legislative changes.
1.2.18 Newborn Supplement (NBS) - Description Updated description.
1.2.19 Stillborn Baby Payment (SBP) - Description Updated description.
2.2.3 NBS & NBU Eligibility for Individuals New section.
2.12 SBP Eligibility New chapter.
3.1 FTB Rate Calculation Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.1.1.20 Current FTB Rates & Income Test Amounts Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.1.1.30 Shared Care Rate for FTB Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.1.1.31 Shared Care Rate Calculation Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.1.1.60 Indexation of FTB Updated to reflect introduction of newborn supplement and newborn upfront payment.
3.1.3 Apportioning Income Test Reductions between FTB Part A Components Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.1.4.10 Method 1 - Calculating the Maximum Rate of FTB Part A Updated to reflect introduction of newborn supplement.
3.1.4.20 Standard Rate - FTB Part A Method 1 Updated policy.
3.1.8.10 Method 2 - Calculating the Maximum Rate of FTB Part A Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.2.1 Adjusted Taxable Income - General Provisions Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.2.2 Taxable Income Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.2.3 Adjusted Fringe Benefits Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.2.4 Target Foreign Income Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.2.5 Total Net Investment Loss Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.2.6 Tax Free Pensions or Benefits Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.2.7 Deductible Child Maintenance Expenditure Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.2.8.10 Initial Estimate When Making a Claim Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.2.8.20 Estimate Following Cancellation of Income Support Payment or Conclusion of Employment Income Nil Rate Period Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.2.8.30 Revised Estimates Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.2.9 Reportable Superannuation Contributions Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.6.1 FTB Part A - Historical Rates Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.11 NBS Rate Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.12 SBP Rate Updated to reflect legislative and policy changes.
4.1.1 TFN Requirements Updated to reflect introduction of stillborn baby payment.
4.1.1.70 TFN Requirements for SBP New page.
4.1.2 Protection of Payment Updated to reflect legislative changes.
4.15 SBP Claims & Payments New chapter.
6.1 Centrelink Review & Appeal Process Updated terminology.
6.2 Internal Reviews Updated to reflect legislative changes.
6.4.1.10 Recipients Affected by Reconciliation Updated to reflect introduction of stillborn baby payment.
6.4.1.20 Payments Affected by Reconciliation Updated to reflect legislative changes.
6.4.3.40 40 Non-payment of FTB Based on an Estimate Updated to reflect legislative changes.
6.4.3.70 Non-entitlement to FTB Based on an Estimate Due to 3 or More Non-lodger Decisions Updated to reflect legislative changes.
7.1.2 FA Debts - Individuals & ACOs Updated to reflect legislative changes.

2 January 2014 (v1.165)

Page Title Details
1.1.G.13 Government funded rehabilitation (JETCCFA) New definition.
1.1.M.25 Maximum amount (FTB advance) updated rate.
1.1.R.22 Rehabilitation (JETCCFA) (deleted - see 1.1.G.13) Deleted content.
2.6.5.10 Becoming a Registered Carer Clarified policy.
2.8.3.10 JETCCFA Activity Types Updated JETCCFA activity types.
3.1.1.50 FTB Payments During Absence from Australia Updated to reflect legislative changes.
3.1.11 Advance Payment of FTB Part A Updated advance ceiling.
7.5 JETCCFA Debts Updated to reflect legislative changes.