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 - 2025

15 December 2025 (v1.269)

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7.3.2.50Waiver in special circumstancesUpdated to reflect legislative change.

3 November 2025 (v1.268)

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2.6.6.10CCS - only one individual eligible for the same session of careClarified policy.
3.5.2.20CCS - activity test exemptionsClarified policy.
3.7.2Payment rates for ACCS (transition to work)Clarified policy.

22 September 2025 (v1.267)

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1.1.S.05Salary sacrificing (CCS)Clarified policy.
1.1.T.52Third party payments & discounts (CCS, ACCS)New page.
2.8.3.30ACCS (temporary financial hardship) - evidenceClarified policy.
3.1.4.30Rent assistanceUpdated rates and thresholds.
3.6.2FTB rent assistance - historical rates & thresholdsUpdated to reflect indexation.
4.1.1.20Exemption from TFN requirements for FTBClarified policy.
4.2.4.30Claim action 3 - TFN not providedClarified policy.
4.2.4.100Claim action 10 - ATO has not actioned TFN requestClarified policy.
4.2.4.110Claim action 11 - ATO advises Services Australia no TFNClarified policy.

11 August 2025 (v1.266)

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1.1.C.25Child with a disability or medical condition (CCS)Clarified policy.
2.6.2.30CCS - immunisation approved exemptionsClarified policy.
2.8ACCS overviewUpdated Policy reference.
2.8.3.30ACCS (temporary financial hardship) - evidenceClarified policy.
3.2.4Target foreign incomeUpdated exchange rates.
3.5.5CCS & ACCS - exceptional circumstancesClarified policy.
3.6.6Foreign exchange rate - historical ratesUpdated exchange rates.
7.2.10Debt recovery of CCS/ACCS by offsetting - prior to reconciliationClarified policy.

1 July 2025 (v1.265)

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1.1.A.70Applicable percentage (CCS)Updated rates and thresholds.
1.1.H.15Higher rate child (CCS)Updated threshold.
1.1.I.70Income Thresholds (CCS)Updated rates and thresholds.
1.1.M.25Maximum amount (FTB advance)Updated rate.
1.2.16Multiple birth allowance (MBA) - descriptionUpdated rates.
2.1.1.13Regular care childClarified policy.
2.1.3.70Recognised health checksClarified policy.
2.2.1FTB eligibility criteria for individualsClarified policy.
2.3.1When an ACO is eligible for FTB for a childClarified policy.
2.12.1SBP eligibility criteriaUpdated rates.
3.1.1.20Current FTB rates & income test amountsUpdated rates.
3.1.6.80Changing the method of collectionClarified policy.
3.1.7.20Estimating maintenance incomeClarified terminology.
3.1.7.21Maintenance income - entitlement methodClarified terminology.
3.1.7.22Maintenance income - disbursement methodClarified terminology.
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 entitlementUpdated example.
3.6.1FTB Part A - historical ratesUpdated rates.
3.6.3FTB Part B - historical ratesUpdated rates.
3.11NBS rateUpdated rate.
4.6.1.20CCS - determination on effective claimUpdated example.
4.15.1Claims for SBPUpdated example.
6.4.2.20Income test exemptions for individuals in receipt of income supportClarified policy.

12 May 2025 (v1.264)

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1.1.C.21Child support liabilityClarified policy.
1.1.C.70Custody order, court order (FTB)Clarified definition.
1.1.D.100Disbursement method (FTB)Clarified definition.
4.2.3.30Giving the individual notice of the determinationClarified policy.
4.2.4.10Claim action 1 - proper claim not madeClarified policy.
4.2.4.20Claim action 2 - claim not completeClarified policy.
4.2.4.70Claim action 7 - claim made too lateAdded Policy and Act reference.
4.2.4.80Claim action 8 - instalment claim requiredClarified policy.
4.3.1.40Payment of arrears - financial hardshipClarified policy.
4.3.2Payment cycles for FTB instalmentsClarified policy.
4.4.6Income support claim pending for FTB or regular care childClarified policy and added example.

20 March 2025 (v1.263)

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1.1.C.40Cohabitation, living together (FTB)Clarified policy.
1.1.R.21Regular care childClarified policy.
1.2.8.10FTB advance payments - detailsClarified policy.
1.3Family Assistance Office (FAO) (deleted)Removed information.
2.1.1.10FTB childClarified policy.
2.8.3.40ACCS (temporary financial hardship) - determinationsClarified policy.
2.8.4.20ACCS (transition to work) - income support payments & income requirementsClarified policy.
3.1.4.30Rent assistanceUpdated rates and thresholds.
3.1.7.03Maintenance income test ceilingClarified policy.
3.1.7.12Exempt maintenance incomeClarified policy.
3.6.2FTB rent assistance - historical rates & thresholdsUpdated to reflect indexation.
4.1.1.10TFN requirements for FTBClarified policy.
4.2.2.40Specific requirements for FTB instalment claimsClarified policy.
4.3.3Instalments paid by direct creditUpdated example.
8.1.2Immunisation requirement changes from 01/01/2012 to 30/06/2018Clarified policy.

3 February 2025 (v1.261)

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2.1.1.45Establishing a pattern of careClarified policy.
2.1.1.70Disputed care arrangementsClarified policy.
2.1.3.60Healthy Start for School exemptions (FTB)Clarified policy.
3.1.3Apportioning income test reductions between FTB Part A componentsClarified policy.
3.1.4.10Method 1 - calculating the maximum rate of FTB Part AClarified policy.
3.1.5.30Taking reasonable maintenance actionClarified policy.
3.1.5.55Reasonable maintenance action completed - private collectClarified policy.
3.1.6.10Proof of parentageClarified policy.
3.1.8.20Method 2 - FTB Part A income testClarified policy.
4.3.5Lump sum paymentsClarified policy.
4.14Claims for SIFSClarified policy.
5.2.2Information required for instalment claimsClarified policy.
6.4.2.20Income test exemptions for individuals in receipt of income supportClarified policy.
6.4.2.30FTB reconciliation due to maintenance incomeClarified policy.
6.4.3.50Deferral of prohibition of FTB based on an estimateClarified policy.
7.6FTB advance debtsClarified policy.

2 January 2025 (v1.261)

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2.1.2.10Residence requirementsClarified policy regarding Criminal Justice Stay Visa.
2.6.2.20CCS - Australian residency exceptionsClarified policy.
2.8.4.40ACCS (transition to work) - activity requirementsClarified policy.
2.8.4.60ACCS (transition to work) - evidentiary requirementsClarified policy.
3.5.2.10CCS - activity test - generalUpdated policy to reflect Parent Pathways.
5.2.1.40CCS & ACCS - change in activity/incomeClarified policy.