Family Tax Benefit Calculator (Australia)

FTB Part A is paid per child based on family income. Most families with kids and combined income under about A$200,000 get some Part A. FTB Part B is extra support for single-income families. Single parents and couples where one parent stays home or works part-time can get Part B. Part A is per child. Part B is per family (one payment regardless of how many kids). You can receive both at the same time if eligible.

FTB Part A is means-tested but has no hard cutoff. The maximum rate of A$222.04 per fortnight per child under 13 applies if family income is under A$65,189. Between A$65,189 and A$115,997, the rate phases down by 20c per A$1 of income until the base rate (A$71.26) is reached. Above A$115,997, it phases down further by 30c per A$1 of income until zero. So a 2-child family typically gets some Part A until family income reaches about A$190,000-A$220,000.

Part B has two income tests. Primary earner limit: A$117,194 (single or higher-earning partner). If primary earner is above this, no Part B. Secondary earner free area: A$6,789. Single parents have no secondary earner test. For couples, the secondary earner can work part-time up to A$6,789 with no impact. Above that, Part B reduces by 20c per A$1. The youngest child's age also matters. Under 5: A$184.92/fortnight. 5-18: A$129.36/fortnight.

Yes. PPL is taxable income but it does not disqualify you from FTB. PPL counts as income for the FTB income test. This may reduce your Part A and Part B during the year you receive PPL. At tax time, FTB is reconciled based on your actual income. Many parents find their FTB Part A unchanged or only slightly reduced during PPL because PPL is similar to (or less than) their normal wages.

Two options exist. Fortnightly payments provide regular cash flow throughout the year. Lump sum at the end of the financial year (after lodging tax return) avoids any overpayment risk. Most families prefer fortnightly. If your income is variable or you are unsure how much you will earn, lump sum is safer. You can switch between methods through myGov. Many families get fortnightly Part A and lump sum Part B (or vice versa).

Part A pays a supplement of up to A$916.15 per child after you lodge your tax return. Part B pays a supplement of up to A$448.95 per family. Both supplements require you and your partner to lodge tax returns and have a child immunised on schedule (immunisation rule applies for under 5s). The supplements are top-ups, not separate payments. They are calculated by Centrelink as part of your annual reconciliation.

Sometimes. If you receive fortnightly FTB based on your estimated income, but you actually earn more, you may owe an overpayment. Centrelink reconciles your FTB after you lodge your tax return. They withhold a small percentage from each fortnightly payment as a buffer (released if no overpayment). To minimise overpayment risk, update your income estimate in myGov whenever circumstances change (pay rise, new job, partner started working). Or choose the lump-sum option.

Yes for children under 5. The immunisation requirement applies to FTB Part A end-of-year supplement and the Healthy Start for School payment. Children must be fully immunised on schedule (or have a valid medical exemption) by the end of the financial year. Conscientious objection is not an accepted exemption since the 2016 'No Jab, No Pay' policy. Catch-up immunisations are allowed if your child is behind schedule. Speak to your GP, Aboriginal Medical Service, or community health nurse.