Raising children in Australia is expensive, but many families are not aware that they could be missing out on thousands of dollars in government support each year. Two of the most important programs are the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) and the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).
1. Family Tax Benefit (FTB)
FTB provides ongoing payments to help cover the cost of raising children. It is split into two parts:
FTB Part A
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Paid per child, depending on age and family income.
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Maximum rates (2025–26, per child, per fortnight):
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Children aged 0–12: $227.36
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Children aged 13–15: $295.82
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Children aged 16–19 (in full-time secondary study): $295.82
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At the end of the year, a supplement of up to $938.05 per child may be paid if you are eligible.
FTB Part B
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Provides extra help for single parents or families with one main income earner.
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Maximum rates (2025–26, per fortnight):
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Youngest child under 5: $193.34
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Youngest child 5–18: $134.96
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Annual supplement: up to $459.90 per family.
Income thresholds
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For Part A, payments reduce as family income increases and usually cut out around $118,000+.
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For Part B, single parents can earn up to $100,007. For couples, the secondary earner must earn less than ~$34,438 to receive the payment.
2. Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
Childcare is one of the largest expenses for young families. CCS reduces these costs significantly:
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Families earning up to $85,279 receive a 90% subsidy.
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Families earning between $85,279 and $535,279 receive a gradually reducing subsidy.
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For families with more than one child under 5, the second and younger children can receive a subsidy of up to 95%.
This support makes quality childcare more affordable and allows parents to balance work and family commitments.
3. Real-Life Examples
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Single parent, income $45,000, with one child in daycare: Eligible for FTB Part A & B plus CCS at the highest rate.
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Couple with combined income $100,000, two children in daycare: Partial FTB A, no FTB B, but full CCS support.
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Single parent earning $150,000: Not eligible for FTB, but may still receive a reduced CCS rate.
4. What Families Should Do
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Update your income estimate on myGov regularly to avoid overpayments or underpayments.
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Use the Payment Finder tool on Services Australia to check your eligibility.
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Remember that FTB and CCS can be combined for even greater financial support.
Final Thoughts
Many families assume they earn “too much” to qualify, or that the process is too complicated. The reality is that even partial payments can make a meaningful difference to your household budget. Reviewing your eligibility could free up money that helps with daily costs, mortgage repayments, or long-term savings.
Call/WhatsApp: +84 96 275 92 07
Email: support@sw-globalfinance.com.au