Family Tax Benefit Part A and B: Who Qualifies and How Much?

Raising a family in Australia comes with its share of expenses, from school uniforms to grocery bills that seem to multiply overnight. That's where the Family Tax Benefit Part A and B steps in – two key payments designed to ease the financial load for eligible Aussie families. But who qualifies, and how much can you expect in 2026? Let's break it down so you can see if your family fits the bill.

What is Family Tax Benefit?

The Family Tax Benefit (FTB) is a fortnightly payment from Services Australia to help with the cost of raising kids. It's split into Part A and Part B, each targeting different family needs.FTB Part A supports all eligible families with kids, paid per child, while FTB Part B gives extra help to single parents, grandparent carers, or couples where one partner is the main earner.

You'll get payments into your bank account every two weeks, and there might be a year-end supplement too. It's means-tested, so your income plays a big role in what you receive. Best of all, it links up with other supports like Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Rent Assistance.

Who Qualifies for Family Tax Benefit Part A?

FTB Part A is the broader payment, helping with everyday child-rearing costs. To qualify, you must tick these boxes:

• Care for a dependent child under 19 (or full-time secondary student up to 19).
• Meet Australian residence rules – you're a citizen, permanent resident, or hold an eligible visa.
• Care for the child at least 35% of the time.
• Your child is fully immunised (or has an exemption).
• Pass the income test based on your family's adjusted taxable income (ATI).

Dependent children include those not getting their own income support like Youth Allowance. Examples: a newborn, school-aged kid, or teen in full-time study.

FTB Part A Income Test

Your family's combined ATI determines your rate. The income free area is $56,898 per year – below this, you get the maximum rate. Above that:

• Payments reduce by 20 cents per dollar until $103,368 (higher income free area).
• Then, 30 cents per dollar after that.
• Full cut-off varies by family size – around $118,771+ for one child.

Pro tip: Use the Services Australia Payment Finder to check your exact eligibility.

Who Qualifies for Family Tax Benefit Part B?

FTB Part B targets families with one main income or single carers, helping when childcare costs might force one parent to cut work hours. You're eligible if:

• Single parent or grandparent carer with a child under 18 (16-18 must meet study rules).
• Couple with one main income, youngest child under 13.
• Care for the child at least 35% of the time.
• Meet residence rules and income test.

Study rules for 16-18-year-olds: full-time secondary study towards Year 12 equivalent, acceptable load, or exemption.

FTB Part B Income Test

Primary earner (highest income) must earn $120,007 or less annually – that's the hard cap. For couples:

• Secondary earner gets $6,935 free before reductions (20 cents per dollar over).
• Payments stop at around $34,438 (youngest under 5) or $26,828 (5-18) for secondary income.

Single parents get the max rate if under $120,007. No Part B on Parental Leave Pay days.

How Much Will You Get? 2026 Payment Rates

Rates are fortnightly for the 2025-26 financial year (current into 2026). Here's the breakdown:

FTB Part A Rates (per child)

Age Group	Fortnightly Rate
0-12 years	$227.36
13-15 years	$295.82
16-19 (full-time student)	$295.82

Annual max around $5,911 for under-12s. Plus, families under $80,000 ATI may get a $938.05 per child supplement at year-end.

FTB Part B Rates (per family)

Youngest Child Age	Fortnightly Rate
Under 5	$193.34
5-18	$134.96

Annual max up to $5,026 for under-5s.

Real-Life Examples

Single parent earning $45,000 with a 2-year-old: Full FTB A + B, plus CCS eligibility.

Couple, $70,000 total (one main earner): Both parts, especially if on parental leave.

High earner family ($100k+): Still some base FTB A with multiple kids.

How to Claim Family Tax Benefit

1. Check eligibility: Use Services Australia's online estimator.
2. Gather docs: Income details, Centrelink customer reference number, child immunisation history.
3. Apply online: Via myGov linked to Services Australia.
4. Choose payment method: Fortnightly or lump sum at tax time (but fortnightly often better).
5. Report changes: Income, care arrangements, or child turning 13/18 – within 28 days to avoid overpayments.

Actionable tip: Link FTB to HECS-HELP or ATO data for automatic income checks. Update details yearly via tax return.

FTB and Other Supports

FTB pairs with:

• Child Care Subsidy: Higher subsidy hours if on FTB.
• Rent Assistance: Extra if renting.
• Energy Supplements: Quarterly boosts.
• No Multiple Birth Allowance if only on Part B.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting immunisation – get records from Medicare.
• Not reporting shared care accurately (35%+ threshold).
• Missing the primary earner cap for Part B.
• Assuming high income disqualifies you entirely – base rates help many.

Next Steps to Secure Your Family Tax Benefit

Don't leave money on the table – head to myGov today, link your Services Australia account, and run the Payment and Service Finder. It's quick and tells you exact amounts for Family Tax Benefit Part A and B. If eligible, claim straight away; payments start from your application date. Keep records handy and report changes promptly to maximise your support. Your family’s financial buffer starts here – you've got this, Aussie parents!