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.

5.1.4.40 DOP - current rate

Current rate

The current base rate of DOP is $77.00 per fortnight.

Indexation (1.1.I.100)

The base rate is indexed to changes in the CPI. The effective date of indexation is 1 January each year.

Additional component of DOP

An additional component of DOP is payable to DOP applicants who are eligible for a rate of FTB Part A that is lower than the family allowance (FA)/FTB Part A received by the child's original family at the time the young person became a double orphan.

To be eligible for the additional component of DOP, the applicant must be caring for a young person who became a double orphan on or after 1 July 1998.

The additional component is equal to the difference between the carer's entitlement to FTB Part A for the double orphan and the FA/FTB Part A received for the double orphan in their original family.

In the case of a shared care child, the additional component of DOP is the difference between:

  • the result of the current carer’s shared care percentage applied to the FTB Part A rate for the child immediately before they became a double orphan, and
  • the shared care FTB Part A rate of the current carer.

The additional component of DOP is not payable to DOP recipients where:

  • the individual is not eligible for FTB because the child is receiving a payment under a prescribed educational scheme, or
  • FTB was not being received for the child immediately before the child became a double orphan.

Timing of payments

Payments are made fortnightly in arrears.

Act reference: SSAct section 1010 Rate of DOP, Part 3.16 Indexation and adjustment of amounts

Policy reference: FA Guide 3.1.1.30 Shared care rate for FTB

SS Guide 1.2.4.20 Double orphan pension (DOP) - description, 3.5.2 DOP - qualification & payability

Last reviewed: