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.

5.2.4.30 Family allowance, family allowance supplement & additional family payment rates - December 1987 to June 2000

Summary

This topic contains the following 3 tables:

Table number Explanations
1 Family allowance supplement (FAS) & additional family payment (AFP) rates - December 1987 to December 1995
2 Family allowance rates - January 1996 to June 2000
3 Guardian allowance (GA) rates - January 1993 to June 2000

Table 1: Family allowance supplement (FAS) & additional family payment (AFP) rates - December 1987 to December 1995

This table shows the FAS and AFP rates in dollars per week unless indicated otherwise. AFP rates were indexed every year in January, except for the 'student 16 or more' rate that was not indexed. From 29 December 1998, family allowance and FAS were paid on the same payday. Family allowance, later known as basic family payment (BFP), was also payable to these children. See 5.2.4.10 Basic family payment, family allowance rates (minimum) July 1941 to December 1995.

Date Child under 13 years ($ pw) Child 13 to 15 years ($ pw) Student 16 to 24 years ($ pw)
17/12/1987 22.00 28.00 5.00 or 17.00
29/12/1988 24.00 31.00 17.00
13/07/1989 24.00 34.10 17.00
11/01/1990 24.15 35.25 17.00
10/01/1991 26.50 38.65 17.00
09/01/1992 27.40 39.95 17.00
02/04/1992 30.40 42.95 17.00
01/01/1993 30.95 43.70 17.00
FAS became AFP from 1 January 1993 and was paid fortnightly
Date Child under 13 ($ pf) Child 13 to 15 ($ pf) Student 16 or more ($ pf) Note A
01/01/1993 61.90 87.40 34.00
01/01/1994 64.20 90.60 34.00
01/01/1995 67.20 94.10 34.00
01/01/1996 AFP and BFP became family payment (FP) (see Table 2)

Notes for Table 1

Note Explanation
A If not receiving Austudy or other prescribed education scheme payment.

Act reference: SSAct section 5(1)-'prescribed educational scheme'

Table 2: Family allowance rates - January 1996 to June 2000

As of 1 January 1996, BFP and AFP were combined into a single FP with a rate structure dependent on the age of the child. FP was renamed family allowance on 1 April 1998. FP rates were indexed annually in January.

From 1 July 2000 family allowance was replaced by FTB. Rates from 1 July 2000 can be found in the FA Guide.

Policy reference: FA Guide 3.6.1 FTB Part A - historical rates

Rates shown are fortnightly.

Date payable from Child under 13 years ($ pf) Child 13 to 15 years ($ pf) Student 16 to 18 years ($ pf) Minimum rate ($ pf) Large family supplement ($ pf)
01/01/1996 93.10 121.10 58.20 22.70 7.50
01/01/1997 96.00 124.90 60.00 23.40 7.70
01/01/1998 96.40 125.40 60.20 23.50 7.70
01/01/1999 99.00 128.80 23.70
Note B

 

 23.70 7.80
01/01/2000 101.60 132.20 Note C 24.00 7.90
30/06/2000

Replaced by FTB Part A

Notes for Table 2

Note Explanation
B The rate for a student 16 to 18 was abolished but minimum FP remained payable.
C From 1 October 1999, family allowance was extended to 16 to 20 year old children and 21 to 24 year old students. From 1 January 2000, the rate of family allowance for children aged 16 to 17 was $24.00 per fortnight (pf) and the rate of family allowance for children aged 18 to 20 and students aged 21 to 24 was $50.00 pf.

Table 3: Guardian allowance (GA) rates - January 1993 to June 2000

From 1 January 1993, GA ceased to be paid as an add-on to pension, allowance or benefit but was instead paid as part of AFP. GA was extended to all AFP sole parents from this date, including sole parents in low paid work. Before January 1993, only those non-partnered individuals on income support with qualifying children were eligible for GA.

From 1 July 2000 family allowance, including GA, was replaced by FTB. Rates from 1 July 2000 can be found in the FA Guide.

Policy reference: FA Guide 3.6.3 FTB Part B - historical rates

This table shows the rates in dollars per fortnight (pf).

Date Rate ($ pf)
01/01/1993 29.00
01/01/1994 29.60
01/01/1995 30.10
01/01/1996 31.50
12/09/1996 35.50
01/01/1997 36.60
01/01/1998 36.70
01/01/1999 37.00
01/01/2000 37.40
30/06/2000 Replaced by FTB Part B

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