The Family Tax Benefit (FTB) has continued to be a part of the support network of families having children. Centrelink has adjusted the payment rates in 2025 to counter increased living expenses with maximum fortnightly rates on children under 13 years to hit 227.36. This paper explains the new rates of payment, eligibility requirements and important facts that families should be aware of in order to maximize their claim.
What Is Family Tax Benefit?
FTB is a state payment that is aimed at helping eligible families to cover the cost of child upbringing. It is split into two acts, one of them being FTB Part A which is paid on a child-by-child basis and helps cover day-to-day expenses and the other, FTB Part B, benefits single-income families or single parents. Means-testing is based on family income and guardianship arrangements that help to ensure that the payments are provided to the people who need them the most.
Updated 2025 Payment Rates
The FTB Part A maximum fortuitous payments are:
– $227.36 for each child aged 0 to 12 years.
– 295.82 in full-time secondary study of children between 13 and 15 years and those between 16 and 19 years.
FTB Part B payments will depend on the age of the youngest child:
– 193.34 in families with the youngest child aged 0 to 4 years old.
– $134.96 for youngest child 5 to 18 years.
Such rates indicate that they are higher than those of the past years to allow the families to adapt to inflation and expensive cost of education, childcare, and daily living.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to get FTB in 2025, families should:
– Have a child below 19 years old who is dependent.
– Have Australian residency.
– Physically share at least 35% of the child(ren).
– Meet income tests FTB Part A tapers off at approximately $86852 per child of family income and tapers off at approximately 118771 of family income in most cases.
FTB Part B also focuses on single-income families or single parents but with income caps that are impacted on the second earner.
Payment Schedule and Method of application
FTB payments are typically made in every fortnightly and are direct to nominated bank accounts and offer periodical financial support. Families are able to apply to FTB online via the myGov linked to Centrelink or in the service centres. Xenophon and the military officers utilized these principles to properly report their earnings and family situations in order to prevent underpayments or debts.
| FTB Payment Type | Maximum Fortnightly Rate (2025) | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| Part A (0-12 years) | $227.36 | Per eligible child |
| Part A (13-19 years) | $295.82 | Per eligible child |
| Part B (Under 5) | $193.34 | Per family, single primary carer |
| Part B (5-18 years) | $134.96 | Per family, single primary carer |
Why This Matters
Family Tax Benefit assists in alleviating financial strain among families that are balancing between childcare, school fees, food and accommodation. The government is looking to mitigate the effect of the cost of living and offer stable, long term support, with the 2025 increase of payments. Maintaining income estimate and personal information up to date with Centrelink has been shown to provide the families with the correct amount of payment.
FAQs
Q: What is the way in which FTB payments are calculated?
A: According to income tests, family size, age of children and arrangements of care.
Q: Can both parents claim FTB?
A: The payments are generally made to the primary carer who does most of the care.
Q. Does that mean I will have to reapply to higher payments in 2025?
A: No, recipient rates will be automatically updated.
In short, the Family Tax Benefit payment update 2025 increase substantially increases fortnightly payments with a focus on supporting the Australian families. It is a serious government initiative that guarantees the needs of children are addressed, and families go through the increasing the cost of living.
