5.2.4.50 Parenting payment & associated rates - July 1995 to present date

Summary

This topic contains the following rates tables:

It also contains historical information relating to family allowance for students.

Table 1: Parenting allowance (PgA) - July 1995 to March 1998

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

Table 2: Pension PP (single) (1.1.P.51) - March 1998 to present date

From 20 March 1998, sole parent pension became PPS.

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

Notes for Table 2

Table 3: Benefit PP (partnered) (1.1.P.50) & non-benefit PP (partnered) - March 1998 to June 2000

From 20 March 1998 total PgA became benefit PPP. Basic PgA became non-benefit PPP.

Table 3A: Benefit PPP - July 2000 to present date

From 1 July 2000, non-benefit PPP was abolished.

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

Notes for Table 3A

Table 4: Family bonus - April 1992

In the economic statement of 24 February 1992, the Government announced a one-off bonus payment to family allowance recipients to be paid with their 2 April 1992 family allowance payment. It was payable in respect of all children eligible for family allowance on 2 April 1992, including children in ACOs (1.1.A.200).

Arrears of the bonus, or the appropriate portion of the bonus, were payable for children who were eligible, but not in pay, at 2 April 1992, including children for whom arrears of family allowance were payable because child disability allowance was granted retrospectively. The bonus was also payable as part of bereavement payments where the child died prior to 2 April 1992. The table shows the amount of the bonus.

Table 5: Maternity allowance - October 1912 to June 2000

This table shows the rates in dollars per child. The lump sum maternity allowance is indexed in March and September. From 1 July 2000 maternity allowance and maternity immunisation allowance (MIA) was paid as part of family assistance. Information about the rates from 1 July 2000 can be found in the FA Guide.

Notes for Table 5

Table 6: Training allowance & living away from home allowance

These allowances were paid under section 24 of the Disability Services Act. The former Department of Health, Housing, Local Government and Community Services had the appropriation of the allowances and that department determined to whom and when, the allowances were paid. Social security paid the allowances as an agent for the former Department of Community Services and Health (DCSH). Rates were determined and notified by DCSH.

From 1 January 1989 the rates of training allowance for those undertaking formal training provided by an educational institution were adjusted in line with the training component of the formal training allowance and similar payments made by the former Department of Education, Employment and Training. These payments are now made directly to recipients by the then Department of Human Services and Health. For those participating in 'on the job training' arrangements, the re-1 January 1989 rates applied. The table shows the rates in dollars per week.

Historical information relating to family allowance for students

Family allowance for students aged 16 to 20 years commenced from 14 January 1964, at the rate of $1.50 per week for each student. Payment for student children was made separately from the payment for children under 16 years of age. The payment was made on a quarterly basis. The first payment of student family allowance was made on 7 April 1964.

From 15 June 1976, the age of eligibility was amended to include students, provided they were under 25 years of age. Payment was made according to their position in the family. Payment for children under 16 years and student children was combined as one payment referred to as family allowance from the instalment due on 13 July 1976.

From 1 November 1985 family allowance ceased to be payable for students over 18 years of age unless the student was an 'eligible student'.

From 1 January to 14 October 1987 family allowance for students aged 16 to 18 years was subject to a sudden death income test. From 15 October 1987 family allowance for children and students under 18 years was subject to a tapered income test. The family allowance supplement (FAS) for dependent students was also subject to a tapered income test, which continued when FAS became additional family payment (AFP) (amalgamated into family payment (FP) from 1 January 1996). From 1 July 1998, however, only minimum family allowance is available for students aged 16 to 18. This is subject to the normal (sudden death) family allowance income ceiling.