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 - 2015

9 November 2015 (v1.182)

Page Title Details
1.1.R.22 Relationship parent/child New page.
1.2.13 Low Income Family Supplement (LIFS) - Description Clarified introduction of low income family supplement (LIFS).
2.1.2.10 Residence Requirements Updated 'Exception to residence requirements for FTB'.
2.6.2.20 Australian Residency Exceptions for CCB Updated policy.
3.1.5.70 Exemptions from the Maintenance Action Test Clarified policy.
3.1.6.90 Appeals & Reviews of Child Support Decisions Clarified policy.
3.2.7 Deductible Child Maintenance Expenditure Updated policy.
6.4.1.30 Reconciliation Process Updated policy.
6.4.3 Requirement to Lodge an Income Tax Return Clarified policy.
6.4.4.20 Reconciliation - Ex-partners Clarified policy.
7.2.5 Debt Recovery from Income Tax Refund Clarified policy.

21 September 2015 (v1.181)

Page Title Details
1.1.I.120 Intervening activity (JETCCFA) Clarified policy.
1.1.L.10 Labour market programs (LMPs) Updated definition.
1.1.M.24 Mandatory claimant (JETCCFA) Updated terminology.
1.1.P.15 Parental contribution (JETCCFA) Clarified policy.
1.1.V.15 Voluntary claimant (JETCCFA) Updated terminology.
1.2.3 Maternity Immunisation Allowance (MIA) - Description (deleted) Removed information.
1.2.6 Jobs, Education & Training Child Care Fee Assistance (JETCCFA) - Description Updated to reflect change from employment pathway plan to Job Plan.
2.6.2.30 Immunisation Exceptions for CCB Clarified policy.
2.8.3.60 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Other Activities that Aid Parents to Engage in Sustainable Paid Work Updated to reflect change from employment pathway plan to Job Plan.
2.8.4.20 Backdating JETCCFA Clarified policy.
2.8.6 JETCCFA Eligibility - JETCCFA Job Plans Updated terminology.
3.1.1.25 Current ES Rates Clarified policy.
3.1.4.30 Rent Assistance Updated to reflect indexation.
3.4 MIA Rate (deleted - see 3.6.4) Removed information.
3.6.2 FTB Rent Assistance - Historical Rates & Thresholds Updated to reflect indexation.
3.6.3 FTB Part B - Historical Rates Clarified policy.
3.6.4 Maternity Payments - Historical Rates Updated policy.
4.10.1 General Provisions for JETCCFA Claims & Payments Clarified policy.
4.10.2 Claims for JETCCFA Clarified policy.
4.11.1 JETCCFA Notifiable Events Clarified policy.
4.11.2 JETCCFA Entitlement Variations Clarified policy.
4.11.3 JETCCFA Entitlement Variations - Date of Effect Clarified policy.
4.5.2 Determination of Baby Bonus Claims Clarified policy.
6.5 JETCCFA Review & Appeal Process Updating to reflect tribunals amalgamation.
8.2 MIA Transitional Arrangements (deleted) Removed information.
8.2.1 MIA Eligibility & Claiming Provisions - Transitional Arrangements (deleted) Removed information.
8.2.2 Transitional Arrangements for MIA (deleted) Removed information.

17 August 2015 (v1.180)

Page Title Details
3.1.5.30 Taking Reasonable Maintenance Action Clarified policy.
3.1.7.15 Relevant Period Clarified policy.
3.2.4 Target Foreign Income Updated exchange rates.
3.6.6 Foreign Exchange Rate - Historical Rates Added 2014 exchange rates.
6.2 Internal Reviews Updated to reflect tribunals amalgamation.

1 July 2015 (v1.179)

Page Title Details
1.1.F.53 FTB activity test Updated to reflect legislative changes.
1.1.G.20 Guardianship Updated policy.
1.1.I.45 Income limit (FTB Part B) Updated to reflect legislative change.
1.1.I.70 Income thresholds (CCB) Updated to reflect indexation.
1.1.J.95 JETCCFA employment pathway plan (deleted - see 1.1.J.105) Removed information.
1.1.J.105 JETCCFA Job Plan New page.
1.1.M.25 Maximum amount (FTB advance) Updated to reflect indexation.
1.1.M.27 Maximum weekly benefit (CCB) Updated to reflect indexation.
1.1.M.30 Maximum weekly entitlement (CCB) Updated rates.
1.1.P.15 Parental contribution (JETCCFA) Clarified policy and updated rate.
1.1.S.100 Standard hourly rate (CCB) Updated to reflect indexation.
1.2.1 Family Tax Benefit (FTB) - Description Updated to reflect legislative changes.
1.2.16 Multiple Birth Allowance (MBA) - Description Updated rates.
1.2.17 Large Family Supplement (LFS) - Description Updated to reflect legislative changes.
1.4.5 Act of Grace Payments Updated policy.
2.1.1 FTB Child & Regular Care Child Updated to reflect legislative changes.
2.1.1.10 FTB Child Updated to reflect legislative changes.
2.1.2.10 Residence Requirements Updated policy.
2.3.1 FTB Child of an ACO Updated to reflect legislative changes.
2.6.2.20 Australian Residency Exceptions for CCB Updated policy.
2.6.8 Grandparent Child Care Benefit (GCCB) - Eligibility Criteria Removed reference to community development employment project (CDEP).
2.8.1.30 JETCCFA Eligibility Criteria - Voluntary Claimants Removed reference to community development employment project (CDEP).
2.8.3.20 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Work (Paid & Unpaid) or Setting Up a Business Updated policy.
2.8.3.40 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Study & Training Clarified policy.
2.8.6.10 Purpose of a JETCCFA Job Plan Updated to reflect change from employment pathway plan to Job Plan.
2.8.6.20 Creating a JETCCFA Job Plan Updated to reflect change from employment pathway plan to Job Plan.
2.8.6.30 Failing to Enter into a JETCCFA Job Plan Updated to reflect change from employment pathway plan to Job Plan.
2.8.6.40 Reviewing a JETCCFA Job Plan Updated to reflect change from employment pathway plan to Job Plan.
2.10.1 SKB Eligibility Criteria Updated policy.
3.1 FTB Rate Calculation Updated to reflect legislative change.
3.1.1.20 Current FTB Rates & Income Test Amounts Updated to reflect legislative change.
3.1.1.31 Shared Care Rate Calculation Updated example.
3.1.1.60 Indexation of FTB Clarified policy.
3.1.2 FTB Rate for ACOs Updated rate.
3.1.3 Apportioning Income Test Reductions between FTB Part A Components Updated to reflect indexation.
3.1.6.90 Appeals & Reviews of Child Support Decisions Updated to reflect legislative change.
3.1.7.03 Maintenance Income Test Ceiling Updated example with indexed rates.
3.1.7.10 Maintenance Income Test - General Provisions Updated examples.
3.1.9.20 Income Test - FTB B Updated policy.
3.1.11 Advance Payment of FTB Part A Updated to reflect indexation.
3.2.4 Target Foreign Income Updated exchange rates.
3.5.1 CCB Entitlement - General Provisions Updated to reflect indexation.
3.5.2.40 Calculating the Approved Care Taxable Income Percentage Updated to reflect indexation.
3.5.2.50 Calculating the Approved Care Multiple Child Percentage Updated to reflect indexation.
3.5.2.70 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 1 Child, Income below Upper Threshold Updated to reflect indexation.
3.5.2.80 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 4 children, Income above Upper Threshold Updated to reflect indexation.
3.5.2.90 CCB Adjustment Percentage Example - 2 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.
3.6.5.10 CCB - Historical Standard Hourly Rate Updated to reflect indexation.
3.6.5.20 CCB - Historical Income Thresholds Updated income thresholds.
3.6.5.30 CCB - Historical Maximum Weekly Benefit Updated to reflect indexation.
3.6.5.40 CCB - Historical Maximum Weekly Entitlement Updated to reflect indexation.
3.7.1 JETCCFA Rate Calculation - Overview Clarified policy and updated rate.
3.7.2.10 Limits on JETCCFA Hours in Calculating a Payment Clarified policy and updated rate.
3.7.2.20 JETCCFA Parental Contribution Clarified policy and updated rate.
3.8.1 CCR Limit Calculations - General Provisions Updated years 'Calculating out-of-pocket expenses' applies to.
3.8.2 CCR Limit Calculation - Examples Updated examples.
3.9 SKB Rate Updated instalment amounts.
3.11 NBS Rate Updated rates.
4.3.1.20 FTB Payment Choices for Instalment Individuals Updated example.
4.4.1 Reasons for FTB Reassessment Updated policy.
4.6.4.20 No CCB as Reduced Fees - Any CCB Entitlement at End of Year Updated to reflect indexation.
4.8.1.10 General Provisions for CCB Variations - Individuals Using a Service Not Operating under CCMS (deleted) Removed information.
4.8.1.20 CCB Entitlement Variations - Individuals Using an Approved Service (deleted) Removed information.
5.2.1.20 Change of Eligibility Circumstances Updated to reflect legislative changes.
6.1 Centrelink Review & Appeal Process Updated to reflect tribunals amalgamation.
6.3 External Reviews Updated to reflect legislative change.
6.3.1 AAT First Reviews Updated to reflect legislative changes.
6.3.2 AAT Second Reviews Updated to reflect legislative change.
6.4.1.20 Payments Affected by Reconciliation Clarified policy.
6.4.2.20 Income Test Exemptions for Individuals in Receipt of Income Support Updated to reflect legislative change.
6.4.4.10 Reconciliation - Current Partners Updated to reflect legislative change.
6.6.3 Non-entitlement to FTB Part A &/or FTB Part B Due to Underestimation of Income Clarified policy.
7.1.2 FA Debts - Individuals & ACOs Updated to reflect legislative change.
7.3.2.40 Waiver in Relation to Settlements Updated to reflect legislative changes.

11 May 2015 (v1.178)

Page Title Details
1.1.A.15 Actual assessment method (FTB) Updated terminology.
1.1.A.20 Adjusted taxable income (ATI) Clarified policy.
1.1.A.45 Adjusted rate of FTB/CCB Updated terminology.
1.1.A.50 Adoption Clarified policy.
1.1.A.55 Advance assessment day (FTB advance) Updated policy.
1.1.A.80 Approved care organisation (ACO) Clarified policy.
1.1.C.05 Care arrangement (FTB) Updated Act references.
1.1.C.55 Correspondence nominee Updated policy.
1.1.D.65 Defence Force Income Support Allowance Updated terminology.
1.1.D.75 Designated child support child (FTB) Updated policy.
1.1.D.100 Disbursement method (FTB) Updated terminology.
1.1.E.35 Entitlement method (FTB) Updated terminology.
1.1.F.10 Family law order Updated policy.
1.1.I.82 Indexation factor Updated to reflect current examples.
1.1.I.85 Indexed income - actual or estimate (FTB) Updated policy.
1.1.I.100 Instalment amount, instalment claim, instalment period (FTB) Updated terminology.
1.1.I.105 Interim period (FTB) Updated terminology.
1.1.L.25 Legislative rate for FTB/CCB Updated terminology.
1.1.M.15 Maintenance agreement (FTB) Updated terminology.
1.1.M.20 Maintenance income credit (MIC) Clarified policy.
1.1.M.22 Maintenance income test ceiling (FTB) Clarified policy.
1.1.M.23 Maintenance liability (FTB) Updated policy.
1.1.M.40 Medical practitioner (FTB, CCB) Updated policy.
1.1.M.65 Modified entitlement method (FTB) Updated terminology.
1.1.P.19 Parenting order Clarified policy.
1.1.P.21 Parenting plan (registered) Clarified policy.
1.1.P.30 Partner, partner in gaol Updated terminology.
1.1.P.55 Passive employment income Updated terminology.
1.1.P.70 Pattern of care (FTB) Clarified policy.
1.1.P.73 Payment delivery day (FTB) Clarified policy.
1.1.P.74 Payment nominee Updated policy.
1.1.P.75 Payment Summary Clarified policy.
1.1.P.90 Portability Updated terminology.
1.1.P.120 Primary carer (FTB, baby bonus) Updated terminology.
1.1.Q.10 Qualifying period (FTB) Updated terminology.
1.1.Q.20 Quarantining (FTB Part B) Updated terminology.
1.1.R.21 Regular care child Updated terminology.
1.1.R.30 Remote area, isolated area Clarified policy.
1.1.R.43 Return to work (FTB Part B) Updated terminology.
1.1.S.103 Standard rate (FTB) Clarified policy.
1.1.S.105 Standard reduction (FTB) Clarified policy.
1.1.T.60 Trust Clarified policy.
1.1.V.10 Visa Updated policy.
1.2.2 Baby Bonus - Description Clarified policy.
1.2.3 Maternity Immunisation Allowance (MIA) - Description Clarified policy.
1.2.5 Maternity Allowance & Maternity Payment (MPY) - Description Updated policy.
1.2.7 Child Care Rebate (CCR) - Description Clarified policy.
1.4.1 Beneficial Administration of the Act Updated terminology.
1.4.3.10 Duty of Care Updated terminology.
2.1.1.13 Regular Care Child Clarified policy.
2.1.1.30 Verification of Shared Care Arrangements Clarified policy.
2.1.1.45 Establishing a Pattern of Care Clarified policy.
2.1.1.60 Change of Care of an FTB Child Clarified policy.
2.1.1.80 FTB in Blended Families Updated to reflect title change.
2.1.1.110 Death of an FTB or Regular Care Child Clarified policy.
2.1.3.60 Healthy Start for School Exemptions (FTB) Updated terminology.
2.2.1 FTB Eligibility Criteria for Individuals Clarified policy.
2.3.2 Approval of an ACO Updated policy.
2.4.1 Eligibility for Baby Bonus Clarified policy.
2.5.1 MIA Eligibility (deleted) Updated policy.
3.1.1.25 Current ES Rates Updated to reflect ES is no longer indexed.
3.1.1.30 Shared Care Rate for FTB Updated terminology.
3.1.1.32 Sharing FTB in Blended Families Updated information that was in 3.1.1.33 and added to 3.1.1.32.
3.1.1.33 Sharing FTB in Blended Families - pre July 2008 (deleted - see 3.1.1.32) Removed content. Content previously found in 3.1.1.33 updated and moved to 3.1.1.32.
3.1.1.50 FTB Payments During Absence from Australia Updated policy.
3.1.4.40 Income Test - FTB Part A Method 1 Clarified policy.
3.1.4.50 Health Care Card (HCC) Updated to reflect change in period HCC issued for.
3.1.5 Maintenance Action Test for FTB Part A Updated terminology.
3.1.5.25 Who is Entitled to Apply for Maintenance Updated policy.
3.1.5.30 Taking Reasonable Maintenance Action Updated policy.
3.1.5.40 Maintenance Action in Progress Updated policy.
3.1.5.50 Reasonable Maintenance Action Completed Updated policy.
3.1.5.90 Maintenance Action Test Reviews Clarified policy.
3.1.6.20 Presumption of Parentage - Stage 2 Updated terminology.
3.1.6.45 Child Support Agreements (post July 2008) Updated policy.
3.1.7.05 Maintenance Income Credit Updated terminology.
3.1.7.12 Exempt Maintenance Income Clarified policy.
3.1.7.14 Notional Assessments Updated policy.
3.1.7.23 Maintenance Income - Modified Entitlement Method Updated terminology.
3.1.8.20 Method 2 - FTB Part A Income Test Updated policy.
3.1.9.30 FTB Part B Return to Work Clarified policy.
3.2.6 Tax Free Pension or Benefits Updated terminology.
3.2.8.20 Estimate Following Cancellation of Income Support Payment or Conclusion of Employment Income Nil Rate Period Updated terminology.
3.6.1 FTB Part A - Historical Rates Updated to reflect energy supplement indexation stopped 20 September 2014.
3.6.4 Maternity Payments - Historical Rates Clarified policy.
4.1.3 Nominees Updated terminology.
4.1.3.10 Payment Nominees Updated policy.
4.3 FTB Payment Options Updated terminology.
4.3.1.30 Mandatory Continuous Adjustment of FTB Instalments Updated terminology.
4.3.3 Instalments Paid by Direct Credit Updated terminology.
4.3.4 Instalments Paid by Cheque Updated terminology.
4.3.7 Deductions from Instalments Updated terminology.
4.4 Variations to FTB Entitlements Updated terminology.
4.4.2.30 Date of Effect Rules - FTB Payment Choices Updated terminology.
4.4.5 Requested Information Not Provided Updated terminology.
4.4.5.20 Income Tax Return Not Lodged Updated policy.
4.4.7 Individual Requests Cancellation of FTB Updated terminology.
4.4.8 Review of FTB Entitlements Updated policy.
4.6.2 Approved Care CCB - Individual's Claim Clarified policy.
4.9 New Financial Year Assessments Updated terminology.
5 Gathering Information Updated terminology.
5.1.1 Obtaining Information Updated terminology.
5.1.1.20 Obtaining Information about Debtors Updated terminology.
5.1.3 Protection of Information Updated policy.
5.2 Information Required for FA Updated terminology.
5.2.1.20 Change of Eligibility Circumstances Updated terminology.
6.4.1 Overview of Reconciliation Updated terminology.
6.4.1.10 Individuals Affected by Reconciliation Updated terminology.
6.4.3 Requirement to Lodge an Income Tax Return Clarified policy.
6.4.5.10 Death of Individual Updated terminology.
6.4.5.30 Death of FTB or Regular Care Child Updated terminology.
6.6.2 Effect of Non-entitlement Due to Underestimation of Income Updated policy.
7.2.9 Recovery from Financial Institutions Updated terminology.
7.3.1.10 Writing-off a Debt Updated terminology.
7.3.2.05 Waiver of $1000 - Transitional Arrangements for 2000-01 Updated terminology.
7.3.2.60 Waiving a Particular Class of Debt Updated terminology.
8.2.2 Transitional Arrangements for MIA Updated terminology.

20 March 2015 (v1.177)

Page Title Details
1.1.I.45 Income limit (FTB Part B) Updated date primary earner income limit will next be indexed.
1.1.M.50 Member of a couple Clarified policy.
1.1.S.130 Stillborn child Clarified policy.
1.2.8.10 FTB Advance Payments - Details Updated policy.
1.2.8.20 Variations to FTB Advance Repayment Period Updated policy.
1.2.14 Schoolkids Bonus (SKB) - Description Updated policy.
2.1.1.25 Shared Care of an FTB Child Updated policy.
2.1.1.50 Determining Percentage of Care Added information about alignment of care.
2.1.1.110 Death of an FTB or Regular Care Child Updated policy.
2.10.1 SKB Eligibility Criteria Updated policy.
3.1.4.30 Rent Assistance Updated to reflect indexation.
3.1.5.60 When Maintenance Action is Not Applicable Updated policy.
3.1.8.10 Method 2 - Calculating the Maximum Rate of FTB Part A Clarified policy.
3.6.2 FTB Rent Assistance - Historical Rates & Thresholds Updated to reflect indexation.
3.9 SKB Rate Updated policy.

9 February 2015 (v1.176)

Page Title Details
1.1.A.70 Allowable absences (CCB) (deleted) Removed content.
1.1.A.75 Approved absences (CCB) (deleted) Removed content.
2.6.2.20 Australian Residency Exceptions for CCB Clarified policy.
4.7 CCB Approved Services - Statements for Payment & Payment of Advances (deleted) Removed content.
4.7.1 CCB Approved Services - Statements for Payment (deleted) Removed content.
4.7.2 CCB Payment of Advances to Approved Services (deleted) Removed content.

2 January 2015 (v1.175)

Page Title Details
1.1.B.10 Base rate of FTB Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
1.1.I.80 Indexation Clarified definition.
1.1.M.26 Maximum rate (FTB) Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
1.2.1 Family Tax Benefit (FTB) - Description Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
1.2.9 Clean Energy Advance (CEA) - Description Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
1.2.10 Energy Supplement (ES) - Description Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
1.2.13 Low Income Family Supplement (LIFS) - Description Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
2.1.2.30 Temporary Absence from Australia Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
2.1.3.10 FTB Immunisation Requirements Clarified policy.
2.2.3 NBS & NBU Eligibility for Individuals Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
2.8.3.40 JETCCFA Activity Limits for Study & Training Added details regarding JETCCFA limit for a person undertaking a study activity only.
2.8.5.10 JETCCFA Eligibility Requirements Relating to Hours Updated to reflect new JETCCFA hourly limit and the new limit on the number of hours for which JETCCFA will be paid per child per week for some recipients.
2.8.5.30 JETCCFA Eligibility Exception Relating to Hours Updated policy.
3.1 FTB Rate Calculation Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
3.1.1.20 Current FTB Rates & Income Test Amounts Updated to reflect legislative change.
3.1.1.25 Current ES Rates Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
3.1.1.30 Shared Care Rate for FTB Updated to reflect legislative change.
3.1.1.31 Shared Care Rate Calculation Updated to reflect legislative change.
3.1.1.40 Calculating FTB Bereavement Payment Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
3.1.1.50 FTB Payments During Absence from Australia Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
3.1.1.60 Indexation of FTB Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
3.1.2 FTB Rate for ACOs Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
3.1.3 Apportioning Income Test Reductions between FTB Part A Components Updated to reflect legislative change.
3.1.4.10 Method 1 - Calculating the Maximum Rate of FTB Part A Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
3.1.4.20 Standard Rate - FTB Part A Method 1 Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
3.1.4.30 Rent Assistance Clarified policy.
3.1.5.70 Exemptions from the Maintenance Action Test Clarified policy.
3.1.7.03 Maintenance Income Test Ceiling Updated to reflect legislative change.
3.1.8.10 Method 2 - Calculating the Maximum Rate of FTB Part A Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
3.2.4 Target Foreign Income Updated exchange rates.
3.6.1 FTB Part A - Historical Rates Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
3.6.2 FTB Rent Assistance - Historical Rates & Thresholds Clarified table headings.
3.6.3 FTB Part B - Historical Rates Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
3.7.2.20 JETCCFA Parental Contribution Updated policy.
4.3.1.10 FTB Payment Delivery Choices Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
4.3.1.20 FTB Payment Choices for Instalment Individuals Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
4.3.1.25 ES Payment Choices Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
4.4.1 Reasons for FTB Reassessment Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
4.10.2 Claims for JETCCFA Clarified policy.
6.4.1.20 Payments Affected by Reconciliation Updated to reflect energy supplement legislative changes.
6.4.3.40 Non-payment of FTB based on an Estimate Updated to reflect legislative change.