When Sarah Thompson checked her bank account last Tuesday morning and found an unexpected $706.20 deposit, she initially thought it was a mistake.
The single mother of three from Brisbane had been struggling to manage rising living costs while working part-time and studying.
“I actually called Services Australia thinking they’d made an error,” she told me when we met at a local community center where she volunteers.
“I couldn’t believe it when they explained this was money I was entitled to all along. I’d been missing out on this support for nearly six months because I didn’t realize the payment rates had increased or that changes to the income thresholds meant I now qualified.”
Sarah’s experience isn’t unusual.
Thousands of Australian parents are currently missing out on enhanced family payments they’re legally entitled to receive—money that could make a significant difference in their household budgets during these challenging economic times.
The expanded Family Tax Benefit (FTB) system, which now provides eligible families with payments of up to $706.20 per fortnight, has undergone substantial changes that many parents aren’t aware of.
And with cost-of-living pressures continuing to mount across the country, this overlooked support could be the financial lifeline many families desperately need.
“We’re seeing a concerning number of eligible families who simply aren’t claiming these enhanced benefits,” explains Maria Rodriguez, a financial counselor specializing in government assistance programs.
“Some don’t realize they now qualify due to the changed income thresholds, others think the application process is too complicated, and many don’t understand how substantial these payments have become following recent increases.”
Over the past month, I’ve spoken with dozens of parents, financial experts, and Services Australia representatives to create this comprehensive guide to the enhanced family payments available in 2024.
What I’ve discovered is that not only has the maximum payment amount increased significantly, but changes to eligibility criteria mean many more families now qualify—including those who were previously ineligible.
Here’s everything you need to know about this crucial financial support, who qualifies, and how to ensure you’re not missing out on payments you’re entitled to receive.
Breaking Down the $706.20 Figure: What’s Actually Available
The headline figure of $706.20 per fortnight represents the maximum combined Family Tax Benefit payments a family might receive, but understanding how this total is calculated is essential for determining what your specific household could be eligible for.
Family Tax Benefit comes in two parts—aptly named Part A and Part B—each designed to address different aspects of the financial challenges families face.
“The system was deliberately structured this way to provide targeted support based on different family circumstances,” explains David Chen, a social policy analyst I consulted for this article.
“Part A is primarily focused on helping with the direct costs of raising children, while Part B provides additional assistance for single-parent families or households where one parent has limited income because they’re serving as the primary caregiver.”
For a family with two children under 13, the maximum FTB Part A payment is now $258.10 per child per fortnight, totaling $516.20.
If this same family has one parent either not working or earning below the threshold in order to care for the children, they could also receive the maximum FTB Part B payment of $190.00 per fortnight.
Combined, these payments reach the maximum $706.20 figure that eligible families can now receive every two weeks.
Michael and Emma Wilson, parents of two young children from Adelaide, were surprised to discover they qualified for significant payments after Emma reduced her work hours to care for their children.
“We’d always assumed these benefits were only for low-income families,” Michael explained when I spoke with him.
“But when Emma cut back to two days a week, our household income dropped enough that we now qualify for nearly the full amount. It’s made a massive difference in our ability to manage without Emma’s full salary.”
It’s important to note that actual payment amounts vary based on:
- The number and ages of children in the family
- The family’s total household income
- Whether it’s a single-parent household or a two-parent family
- How care responsibilities are shared in cases of separated parents
For single parents like Sarah Thompson, the benefits can be particularly substantial.
“As a single mom with three kids, I qualify for the maximum rates of both Part A and Part B,” she explained.
“The full payment doesn’t make me wealthy by any means, but it’s the difference between constantly stressing about basic expenses and being able to provide my children with a more stable environment.”
Who Qualifies: The Expanded Eligibility You Might Not Know About
One of the most significant recent changes to the Family Tax Benefit system has been the expansion of eligibility criteria, allowing thousands more Australian families to receive support.
To qualify for Family Tax Benefit Part A in 2024, you must:
- Care for a dependent child aged 0-15, or 16-19 if they’re still in secondary education
- Meet residency requirements (Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold an eligible visa)
- Have a household income below the threshold (which has increased significantly)
For Family Tax Benefit Part B, eligibility includes:
- Qualifying for FTB Part A
- Being a single parent, or a couple where the primary earner’s income is below $100,000
- Having a secondary earner (in couple relationships) whose income is below $32,937 annually
“The income thresholds are where we’ve seen the most meaningful changes,” notes Rodriguez.
“For Part A, families can now earn up to $70,048 annually before their payment begins to reduce, and many families with incomes well above $100,000 may still qualify for partial payments depending on how many children they have.”
This expanded income range means many middle-income families who previously wouldn’t have qualified may now be eligible for substantial support.
Jennifer Lee, a teacher from Melbourne, discovered she was eligible after a chance conversation with a colleague.
“I always thought we earned too much to qualify for any family benefits,” she told me.
“But after talking with a workmate who mentioned the new thresholds, I decided to check. It turns out our family of four qualifies for about $380 per fortnight even with our combined income of just over $110,000. That’s nearly $10,000 a year we were missing out on.”
The residency requirements have also seen important adjustments, with certain visa holders now eligible where they previously weren’t.
“Many permanent residents and some temporary visa holders with work rights don’t realize they may qualify,” explains migration agent Thomas Wilson.
“We’re seeing families who’ve been in Australia for years and never applied because they incorrectly assumed these benefits were only for citizens.”
For separated parents, the system allows for shared payments based on care arrangements.
If you care for a child at least 35% of the time, you may be eligible for a percentage of the Family Tax Benefit based on your care proportion—another detail many parents aren’t aware of.
Recent Changes That Have Increased Payment Amounts
Several recent policy changes have significantly increased the value of Family Tax Benefit payments, making them more impactful for recipient families.
The most substantial change came through the government’s cost-of-living response package, which included:
- Increased base rates for both FTB Part A and Part B
- An expansion of the income thresholds before payments begin to reduce
- Additional supplements and one-off payments throughout the year
“The base payment rates are now indexed more frequently to keep pace with inflation,” explains Chen.
“This means families aren’t seeing the real value of their payments eroded by rising prices as quickly as they were under the previous system.”
For a family with two children under 13, these changes have increased the maximum possible payment by approximately $91 per fortnight compared to early 2023 rates—an increase of nearly $2,400 annually.
Beyond the base rate increases, families receiving FTB may also qualify for:
- The Family Tax Benefit Part A Supplement (up to $847.70 per child annually)
- The Family Tax Benefit Part B Supplement (up to $405.80 per family annually)
- Various energy and cost-of-living supplements announced throughout the year
These supplements are typically paid after the end of the financial year once tax returns have been lodged, creating what many parents describe as a “welcome lump sum” that helps with larger expenses.
Robert Williams, a father of two from Perth, wasn’t aware of these supplements until they appeared in his account.
“We’d been receiving the regular payments, but I had no idea about the annual supplements,” he told me.
“When nearly $2,100 extra showed up after we’d done our tax return, it was a very welcome surprise that covered our car registration and insurance in one go.”
It’s worth noting that some of these increases were initially introduced as temporary measures but have since been extended or made permanent, reflecting the ongoing economic pressures facing Australian families.
“What started as short-term relief during the pandemic has evolved into recognition that families need ongoing support given the current economic climate,” notes Rodriguez.
“The challenge now is ensuring all eligible families know about and apply for these enhanced benefits.”
The Application Process: Simpler Than You Might Think
One of the most persistent myths about Family Tax Benefit is that the application process is complex and time-consuming.
This misconception prevents many eligible families from even attempting to claim the payments they’re entitled to receive.
“We often hear from parents who’ve put off applying because they assume it will be too complicated or require extensive documentation,” says Jennifer Parker, a Services Australia community outreach officer.
“In reality, the process has been significantly streamlined in recent years, particularly for those who already have a myGov account linked to Centrelink.”
For most families, the application process involves:
- Creating or signing into your myGov account
- Linking it to Centrelink if you haven’t already
- Selecting “Family Tax Benefit” from the claims section
- Providing basic information about your family, income, and care arrangements
“The system now pre-fills much of the information from your previous tax returns and existing government records,” explains Parker.
“For most applicants, the process takes less than 30 minutes, particularly if you have your Tax File Number and your children’s birth certificates handy.”
Services Australia has also expanded its assistance options for those who find online processes challenging.
“We recognize that not everyone is comfortable with digital applications,” Parker notes.
“People can call our Family Assistance Line for guidance, visit a service center for in-person help, or even request paper forms if that’s their preference.”
For Emma Chen, a mother of three from Sydney’s western suburbs, the simplified process was a pleasant surprise.
“I’d been putting it off for months because I thought it would be like applying for a mortgage—endless forms and documentation,” she told me with a laugh.
“When I finally sat down to do it one evening after the kids were in bed, I was done in about 20 minutes. Two weeks later, the payments started arriving. I wish I hadn’t waited so long.”
For families with more complex circumstances—such as shared care arrangements or self-employment income—the process may require additional steps, but assistance is available through Services Australia’s specialized staff.
Common Reasons People Miss Out on Payments They Deserve
Despite the substantial value of these payments and the streamlined application process, many eligible families continue to miss out.
Through my conversations with parents and financial counselors, several common themes emerged explaining why so many fail to receive the support they’re entitled to:
- Outdated information about eligibility: Many parents assume they earn too much based on old income thresholds that have since been raised.
- Misconceptions about who qualifies: Some believe these benefits are only for unemployed or very low-income families.
- Assumption that the process is automatic: Parents who receive other government payments sometimes assume they’ll automatically receive Family Tax Benefit without a separate application.
- Concern about tax implications: Some worry that claiming these benefits will create complications at tax time, despite the system being designed to integrate with tax returns.
- Stigma around government assistance: Unfortunately, some parents feel uncomfortable claiming benefits they’re legally entitled to receive.
- Lack of awareness about payment increases: Families who previously received small amounts may not realize how significantly the payments have increased.
“The eligibility changes have been substantial but not widely publicized,” notes Rodriguez.
“Many families who checked their eligibility a year or two ago and found they didn’t qualify would now be eligible for significant payments, but they don’t think to check again.”
For James Peterson, a father of two from the Gold Coast, it was a casual conversation at his daughter’s soccer game that alerted him to the benefits he was missing.
“Another dad mentioned receiving FTB, and I said something about how we earned too much to qualify,” he recalled.
“He asked if I’d checked recently because the thresholds had changed. When I looked into it that night, I discovered our family was eligible for about $440 per fortnight that we’d been missing out on for months.”
Financial counselors emphasize the importance of regularly reassessing your eligibility, particularly after any change in family circumstances such as:
- The birth of a child
- A reduction in work hours
- A separation or divorce
- A significant change in income
- A child starting or finishing school
“Your eligibility can change overnight due to personal circumstances or policy adjustments,” explains Rodriguez.
“We recommend families check at least annually, even if they’ve been ineligible in the past.”
The Real-World Impact: How Families Are Using This Support
To understand the practical difference these payments are making, I spoke with numerous families currently receiving the enhanced Family Tax Benefit.
Their stories highlight how this support serves as more than just a financial supplement—it’s enabling better outcomes for children and reducing stress for parents.
For single mother Lisa Johnson, the payments have allowed her to reduce her work hours without sacrificing her children’s activities.
“I was working six days a week and barely seeing my kids,” she explained when we met at her home in Brisbane’s suburbs.
“With the increased FTB payments, I’ve been able to cut back to five days and spend Saturdays with my children instead of sending them to their grandparents. That day together each week has made an enormous difference to our family dynamic.”
Michael and Rebecca Taylor, parents of three from Adelaide, have dedicated their FTB payments specifically to educational and developmental activities they couldn’t otherwise afford.
“We’ve been able to keep our oldest in her music lessons and enroll our middle child in speech therapy that isn’t covered by Medicare,” Rebecca told me.
“These aren’t luxuries—they’re investments in our children’s futures that were simply beyond our budget before we started receiving these payments.”
For many families, the regular payments provide crucial stability in managing household finances.
“Knowing that $640 will arrive every fortnight allows us to budget with confidence,” explains Thomas Chen, a father of two from Melbourne.
“We’ve set up our household bills to align with the payment dates, which has eliminated the feast-and-famine cycle we were stuck in before.”
Several parents noted that the payments have reduced financial tensions within their relationships—a benefit that extends beyond the purely economic impact.
“Money was our number one source of arguments,” admits Sarah Williams, mother of two from Perth.
“Having this regular support has taken the pressure off to a degree where we’re not constantly stressed about covering the basics, which has been surprisingly positive for our marriage.”
Financial counselors often highlight how this predictable income stream helps families avoid high-cost debt traps during unexpected emergencies.
“Before receiving FTB, many families would turn to credit cards or even payday loans when faced with unexpected expenses like car repairs or medical bills,” notes Rodriguez.
“The regular payments provide a financial buffer that helps break this cycle of high-interest debt that can be so destructive to family finances.”
Combining FTB with Other Support: Maximizing Your Family’s Benefits
One aspect of the family support system that many parents overlook is how Family Tax Benefit can be combined with other government assistance to create a more comprehensive financial safety net.
“The family support system is designed to be integrated, with different payments addressing different needs,” explains Chen.
“Many families focus on just one payment without realizing they may qualify for multiple forms of assistance that can be received simultaneously.”
Families receiving FTB may also be eligible for:
Child Care Subsidy: This can cover up to 85% of childcare costs, working on a sliding scale based on household income. Recent increases to the subsidy rates have made childcare significantly more affordable for many families.
Parental Leave Pay: New parents may qualify for up to 20 weeks of government-funded paid parental leave, which can be received while also getting Family Tax Benefit.
Rent Assistance: Families renting privately may qualify for additional payments to help with housing costs, particularly in high-cost areas.
Health Care Cards: Many FTB recipients automatically qualify for concession cards that reduce medical, pharmaceutical, and other health-related expenses.
School-related payments: Various state and federal programs offer assistance with school expenses, from the Schoolkids Bonus to state-based programs covering uniforms and textbooks.
“The potential combined value of these supports can be substantial,” notes Rodriguez.
“We’ve worked with families who were initially focused only on FTB but discovered they qualified for additional support worth thousands of dollars annually.”
Lisa Martinez, a mother of two from Sydney, was surprised to learn that receiving FTB automatically qualified her children for additional educational support.
“I had no idea that once we were approved for Family Tax Benefit, my kids became eligible for the Smith Family’s Learning for Life program, which provides educational scholarships,” she told me.
“That additional support has covered their school laptops, excursions, and sports uniforms—expenses that were always a struggle before.”
Financial counselors recommend conducting a comprehensive eligibility check rather than applying for individual payments in isolation.
“The system can be complex, but that complexity sometimes works in families’ favor because there are multiple support pathways available,” explains Rodriguez.
“The key is taking a holistic approach to determine everything you might qualify for rather than focusing narrowly on just one payment.”
Services Australia’s Payment and Service Finder tool on their website allows families to input their information once and receive a comprehensive list of all potential payments they may be eligible for—a resource many parents aren’t aware exists.
Looking Ahead: Proposed Changes to Family Support in 2024-25
As Australian families adapt to the current enhanced payment rates, policymakers are already considering further adjustments to the family support system for the coming year.
Several proposals currently under consideration include:
- Further increases to payment rates tied more directly to inflation measures to ensure support keeps pace with rising living costs
- Simplification of the two-part payment structure to create a more streamlined system that’s easier for families to understand and access
- Adjustments to income thresholds that would extend eligibility to more middle-income families experiencing financial pressure
- More frequent payment options, including potential weekly rather than fortnightly disbursements for families who prefer shorter budgeting cycles
“The family support system continues to evolve as economic conditions and family structures change,” explains Chen.
“What we’re seeing is growing recognition that family support isn’t just welfare for the lowest-income households—it’s an investment in children’s development and family stability across much of the socioeconomic spectrum.”
These potential changes highlight the importance of staying informed about family payment developments, as eligibility and payment amounts may continue to expand.
“We’re advising families to regularly check for updates, particularly around major government announcements like the federal budget,” notes Rodriguez.
“Changes can be implemented quickly, and being aware of them as they happen ensures you don’t miss out on enhanced support you might qualify for.”
The shift toward digital notification systems means families with myGov accounts linked to Centrelink typically receive alerts about relevant changes to payments they’re receiving or might be eligible for—another reason to ensure your details are up to date in the system.
How to Check Your Eligibility and Apply Today
If you’ve never applied for Family Tax Benefit, or haven’t checked your eligibility recently, taking action now could provide your family with significant financial support you’re legally entitled to receive.
Based on advice from Services Australia representatives and financial counselors, here’s the most efficient process to determine your eligibility and submit an application:
Step 1: Gather essential information
- Tax File Numbers for yourself and your partner (if applicable)
- Basic details about your dependent children (names, birth dates)
- An estimate of your family’s annual income
- Details about care arrangements (particularly important for separated parents)
Step 2: Use the online estimator Before completing a full application, you can quickly check potential payment amounts using the Payment and Service Finder on the Services Australia website. This anonymous tool provides an estimate without requiring you to create an account or provide identifying details.
Step 3: Submit your application The most efficient application method is online through your myGov account linked to Centrelink. Alternatively, you can:
- Call the Family Assistance Line (136 150)
- Visit a Services Australia center in person
- Request paper forms if necessary
Step 4: Track your application Most online applications provide an estimated processing timeframe, typically 14-28 days. You can track progress through your myGov account.
Step 5: Set up payment arrangements If approved, you’ll need to provide bank details for receiving payments. You can also select payment frequency options (fortnightly is standard, but some families prefer larger quarterly payments).
“The most important thing is simply to start the process,” emphasizes Parker from Services Australia.
“Even if you’re unsure about eligibility or don’t have all information immediately available, creating an initial application puts you in the system and begins the determination process.”
For those uncomfortable with online systems or who have complex circumstances, in-person assistance remains available despite the shift toward digital services.
“We still have staff specifically trained to help parents navigate the family payment system,” Parker notes.
“Particularly for situations involving shared care, blended families, or variable income, speaking with a specialist can ensure you receive the correct determination and maximum support you’re entitled to.”
Don’t Leave Money You’re Entitled To On The Table
As living costs continue to rise and family budgets remain under pressure, the enhanced Family Tax Benefit system represents a significant financial resource that eligible Australian families should not overlook.
With payments now reaching up to $706.20 per fortnight for families with multiple children, this support can make the difference between financial stress and stability for many households.
The experiences of families I’ve spoken with throughout researching this article consistently highlight not just the financial impact of these payments, but the broader benefits for family wellbeing, children’s opportunities, and parental peace of mind.
“This isn’t about handouts—it’s about ensuring Australian children have their basic needs met and opportunities to thrive regardless of their family’s economic circumstances,” explains Rodriguez.
“These payments represent a societal investment in the next generation, and families should view them as both a right and a responsibility.”
The recent expansion of eligibility means many families who previously didn’t qualify may now be entitled to substantial support—but only if they take the initiative to check their eligibility and submit an application.
As Sarah Thompson, the Brisbane mother whose story opened this article, told me: “Don’t make the same mistake I did by assuming you don’t qualify or that it’s too difficult to apply. That assumption cost my family thousands of dollars we could have really used during some tough months.”
With a streamlined application process, expanded eligibility criteria, and increased payment rates, there’s never been a better time to ensure your family is receiving the full support you’re entitled to under Australia’s family assistance system.
The $706.20 fortnightly payment that could be available to your family isn’t just a number—it’s groceries on the table, educational opportunities for your children, reduced financial stress, and greater security during uncertain economic times.
Don’t leave this support unclaimed if your family qualifies. Check your eligibility today.