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 - 2024

14 October 2024 (v1.259)

PageTitleDetails
3.1.6.90Appeals & reviews of Child Support decisionsUpdated to reflect commencement of the new Administrative Review Tribunal, which replaces the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
6.1Centrelink review & appeal processUpdated to reflect commencement of the new Administrative Review Tribunal, which replaces the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
6.2Internal reviewsUpdated to reflect commencement of the new Administrative Review Tribunal, which replaces the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
6.3External reviewsUpdated to reflect commencement of the new Administrative Review Tribunal, which replaces the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
6.3.1ART reviewsUpdated to reflect commencement of the new Administrative Review Tribunal, which replaces the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
6.3.2ART second reviewsUpdated to reflect commencement of the new Administrative Review Tribunal, which replaces the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
6.7SIFS review & payment processUpdated to reflect commencement of the new Administrative Review Tribunal, which replaces the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
7.1.2FA debts - individuals & ACOsUpdated to reflect commencement of the new Administrative Review Tribunal, which replaces the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
7.3.2.40Waiver in relation to settlementsUpdated to reflect commencement of the new Administrative Review Tribunal, which replaces the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
7.3.2.50Waiver in special circumstancesUpdated to reflect commencement of the new Administrative Review Tribunal, which replaces the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

20 September 2024 (v1.258)

PageTitleDetails
2.1.1.110Death of an FTB or regular care childClarified policy.
3.1.4.30Rent assistanceUpdated rates and thresholds.
3.1.4.50Health care card (HCC)Clarified policy.
3.6.2FTB rent assistance - historical rates & thresholdsUpdated to reflect indexation.
6.6.3Non-entitlement to FTB based on an estimate due to underestimation of income - exceptionsUpdated examples.
8.4SIFS - grandfathering provisionsClarified policy.

12 August 2024 (v1.257)

PageTitleDetails
1.1.L.30Lodgement yearClarified definition.
1.1.N.10NBS periodUpdated Act reference.
1.1.N.31Non-entitlement to FTB due to 3 or more non-lodger decisionsClarified definition.
1.1.N.33Non-lodgerClarified definition.
1.1.P.135Prohibition of FTB based on an estimateClarified definition and updated Act reference.
1.1.R.10Reconciliation (CCS)Clarified definition.
1.1.S.35Session reports (CCS)Clarified definition.
1.1.T.70Type of care (CCS)Updated Act references.
1.2.1Family tax benefit (FTB) - descriptionClarified policy.
2.2.3NBS & NBU eligibility for individualsUpdated Act reference.
2.6.2.10CCS - eligibility for children aged 13 & under & attending secondary school or aged 14 or aboveClarified policy.
2.6.3CCS eligibility - attending secondary schoolClarified policy.
3.1.1.20Current FTB rates & income test amountsClarified policy.
3.2.2Taxable incomeClarified policy.
3.2.4Target foreign incomeUpdated exchange rates.
3.6.6Foreign exchange rate - historical ratesUpdated exchange rates.
4.1.3.10Payment nomineesClarified policy.
4.1.3.20Correspondence nomineesClarified policy.
4.1.3.30Responsibilities of nomineesClarified policy and updated Act references.
4.2Claims for FTBClarified policy and updated examples.
4.2.2.20Specific requirements for past period claimClarified policy.
4.2.4.130Claim action 13 - taxable income not assessedClarified policy.
4.3.1.10FTB payment delivery choicesClarified policy.
4.3.1.20FTB payment choices for instalment individualsClarified policy.
4.3.1.25ES payment choicesClarified policy.
4.3.6Payments to a third partyClarified policy.
4.4.1Reasons for FTB reassessmentClarified policy.
4.4.5.20Income tax return not lodgedClarified policy.
4.4.10Security notice issuedClarified policy.
6.2Internal reviewsClarified policy.
6.4.1.30Reconciliation processClarified policy.
6.4.1.40Outcomes of reconciliationClarified policy.
6.4.3Requirement to lodge an income tax returnClarified policy.
6.4.3.10Valid reasons for not lodging a tax returnClarified policy.
6.4.3.20Non-lodger processClarified policy.
6.4.3.30Outcomes of non-lodger processClarified policy.
6.4.3.40Prohibition of FTB based on an estimateClarified policy.
6.4.3.60Removal of prohibition of FTB based on an estimateClarified policy.
6.4.3.70Non-entitlement to FTB based on an estimate due to 3 or more non-lodger decisionsClarified policy.
6.4.4.10Reconciliation - current partnersClarified policy.
6.4.4.20Reconciliation - ex-partnersClarified policy.

1 July 2024 (v1.256)

PageTitleDetails
1.1.A.70Applicable percentage (CCS)Updated to reflect indexation.
1.1.C.27Claim (CCS)Clarified policy.
1.1.E.30Entitlement (FTB, CCS, ACCS)Clarified definitions.
1.1.F.50Formula assessment (FTB)Clarified definition.
1.1.H.15Higher rate child (CCS)Updated definition.
1.1.I.70Income thresholds (CCS)Updated to reflect indexation.
1.1.M.25Maximum amount (FTB advance)Updated rate.
1.1.S.104Standard rate child (CCS)Clarified definition.
1.1.T.20Taxable incomeClarified definition.
1.2.6Child care subsidy (CCS) - descriptionClarified policy.
1.2.16Multiple birth allowance (MBA) - descriptionUpdated rates.
2.1.2.10Residence requirementsClarified policy.
2.1.3.30Vaccination schedules (FTB, CCS)Updated vaccination schedule.
2.2.1.10NARWP for FTB Part AClarified policy.
2.6.1CCS eligibilityClarified policy.
2.6.6.20CCS - individual only eligible for session of care for nominated childClarified policy.
2.8.2.40ACCS (grandparent) - applicationsClarified policy.
2.8.3.20ACCS (temporary financial hardship) - applicationClarified policy.
2.12.1SBP eligibility criteriaUpdated income test limit.
3.1.1.20Current FTB rates & income test amountsUpdated rates.
3.1.4.30Rent assistanceUpdated example.
3.1.7.10Maintenance income test - general provisionsUpdated examples.
3.1.9.20Income test - FTB Part BUpdated example.
3.1.11Advance payment of FTB Part AClarified policy and added Policy reference.
3.2.8.10Initial estimate when making a claimClarified policy.
3.5CCS entitlementClarified policy.
3.5.1CCS - combined annual ATIUpdated to reflect indexation.
3.5.2.10CCS - activity test - generalUpdated income threshold.
3.5.3CCS - hourly rate capsUpdated to reflect indexation.
3.5.4Calculating CCS entitlementClarified policy.
3.6.1FTB Part A - historical ratesUpdated rates.
3.6.3FTB Part B - historical ratesUpdated rates.
3.7.1Payment rates for ACCS (child wellbeing), ACCS (grandparent) & ACCS (temporary financial hardship)Clarified policy.
3.11NBS rateUpdated rates.
4.1.2Protection of paymentClarified policy.
4.6.1General provisions for making a claim for CCS by fee reductionClarified policy.
4.6.1.20CCS - determination on effective claimClarified policy.
4.9.1Overview of new financial year assessmentsClarified policy.
5.1.3.20Exchanging information within CentrelinkClarified policy.

6 May 2024 (v1.255)

PageTitleDetails
1.1.A.75Appropriate state or territory body (ACCS (child wellbeing))Clarified definition.
1.1.A.90Approved provider, approved child care service, approved child care (CCS)Updated Act reference.
1.1.A.110At risk, at risk day (ACCS (child wellbeing))Clarified definition.
1.1.C.15Certificate (ACCS (child wellbeing))Clarified definition.
1.1.C.18Child attends school (CCS, ACCS)Clarified definition.
1.1.C.52Complying written arrangement (CCS)Clarified definition.
1.1.D.78Determination (ACCS (child wellbeing))Clarified definition.
1.1.D.80Disabled person (CCS)Clarified definition.
1.1.E.25Enrolment (CCS)Clarified definition.
1.1.G.13Giving notice (ACCS (child wellbeing))Clarified definition.
1.1.R.10Reconciliation (CCS)Clarified definition.
1.1.T.51The 12 month rule (ACCS (child wellbeing))Clarified definition.
1.2.7Additional child care subsidy (ACCS) - descriptionClarified policy.
2.6.5CCS - requirements relating to CWAClarified policy.
2.6.5.10CCS - individual confirmation of enrolmentClarified policy.
2.8.1ACCS (child wellbeing)Clarified policy.
2.8.1.10ACCS (child wellbeing) - eligibilityClarified policy.
2.8.1.20ACCS (child wellbeing) - where a child is at risk of serious abuse or neglectClarified policy.
2.8.1.30ACCS (child wellbeing) - certificatesClarified policy.
2.8.1.60ACCS (child wellbeing) - giving noticeClarified policy.
2.8.1.70ACCS (child wellbeing) - backdating in exceptional circumstancesNew page.
2.8.2.60ACCS (grandparent) - annual reminder to review circumstances (deleted)Removed information.
3.5.2.30ACCS (transition to work) - activity testClarified policy.
3.5.4Calculating CCS entitlementClarified policy.
4.13.1CCS enrolment noticesClarified policy.
4.13.2.10CCS - CWA enrolmentClarified policy.
4.13.2.20CCS - relevant arrangement enrolmentClarified policy.
4.13.2.30CCS - arrangement with an organisation enrolmentClarified policy.
4.13.2.40ACCS (child wellbeing) - provider eligible enrolmentClarified policy.
6.4.1Overview of reconciliationClarified policy.
6.4.4.10Reconciliation - current partnersClarified policy.
7.1.3FA debts - CCS approved providersClarified policy.

2 April 2024 (v1.254)

PageTitleDetails
1.1.I.105Interim period (FTB)Updated to reflect Social Services Legislation Amendment (Child Support and Family Assistance Technical Amendments) Act 2024.
2.1.1.70Disputed care arrangementsUpdated to reflect Social Services Legislation Amendment (Child Support and Family Assistance Technical Amendments) Act 2024..

20 March 2024 (v1.253)

PageTitleDetails
1.1.G.12General practitionerClarified definition.
1.1.J.20Job Plans (ACCS (transition to work))Clarified definition.
1.1.L.28Listed medical practitionerNew page.
1.1.M.40Medical practitioner (FTB, CCS)Updated Act reference.
2.1.1.25Shared care of an FTB childUpdated Act reference.
2.1.3.20CCS immunisation requirementsClarified policy.
2.1.3.40Immunisation - approved exemptions (FTB)Clarified policy.
2.1.3.70Recognised health checksClarified policy.
2.8.4.10ACCS (transition to work) - eligibilityClarified policy.
2.8.4.20ACCS (transition to work) - income support payments & income requirementsClarified policy.
2.8.4.30ACCS (transition to work) - Job Plan requirementsClarified policy.
2.8.4.40ACCS (transition to work) - activity requirementsClarified policy.
2.8.4.50ACCS (transition to work) - applicationsClarified policy.
2.8.4.60ACCS (transition to work) - evidentiary requirementsClarified policy.
2.8.4.70ACCS (transition to work) - time limitsClarified policy.
3.1.4.30Rent assistanceUpdated rates and thresholds.
3.6.2FTB rent assistance - historical rates & thresholdsUpdated to reflect indexation.
3.6.3FTB Part B - historical ratesClarified policy.
4.4.2.10Change in non-income related circumstancesClarified policy.
4.4.4Reassessment of FTB - income support cancelled or employment income nil rate periodClarified policy.
4.6.1.10CCS - making an effective claimUpdated Act references and policy.
7.2.3Debt recovery from FA entitlementClarified policy.

5 February 2024 (v1.252)

PageTitleDetails
1.1.I.10Immunisation requirements (FTB, CCS)Clarified policy.
2.1.1.25Shared care of an FTB childClarified policy.
7.3.2.30Waiving a small debtClarified policy.

2 January 2024 (v1.251)

PageTitleDetails
1.1.M.10Maintenance (FTB)Clarified policy.
2.1.1.110Death of an FTB or regular care childClarified policy.
3.1.1.40Calculating FTB bereavement paymentClarified policy.
3.2.1Adjusted taxable income - general provisionsClarified policy.
6.4.1.20Payments affected by reconciliationClarified policy.
6.4.1.40Outcomes of reconciliationClarified policy.
7.4Child support debtsUpdated Act references.