Child Benefit - how much?

[The Mackie's]

Hi does anyone know approx how much child benefit is in Oz? I have 3 children. Do they do any kind of tax credits?

Thanks for your help in advance!

Zeta

[ali]

It does depend on how much you earn, we are so close to the limit (even though they're not exceptional salaries) that we haven't bothered applying. Bull Creek Bob will be able to tell you more, or you can do a search as it's been asked before. It's not like the UK

Ali

[jonseywife]

Hi Zeta
Ive been led to believe you only get Family Assistance if your on a Permanent Residency Visa and your under a certain threshold !
Here's the link you need, it explains it all and it even has a calculator to get a rough guide on what you might get: http://www.familyassist.gov.au/
Good luck

[calNgary]

Hiya when we arrived on a permant residency visa we went to centrelink to apply for family benefit,part of the application is a telephone interview ,on this interview 'We' were told by 'Them' we could claim,rent assistance,family benefit partb(lower earners) as only hubby was working,and which adds onto family benefit part A and lastly child care allowance.It was a big help whilst we got on our feet(over $200 per week for all) ,,its always best to enquire when you arrive ,you never know !!!
hope this gives you a rough guide but do be aware of what Ali said as it only applies to certain visa types and states may be different too ,im in Brisbane.
Cal x

[vinnypot]

can you still apply for these benefits if your on a 176 skilled sponsored visa?cheers

[cazmayo]

yes you are entitled on a 176 to child benefit and rent allow straightaway. there is a threshold that if you go over income wise (depends on size of family) you lose it. see centre link website.

so many think they are not entitled for 2 years, which is incorrect for the above benefits.

cheers caz

[cazmayo]

Family Assistance Payment Rates

When arriving in Oz on a permanent visa, you are not entitled to unemployment benefit etc for a period of 2 years, but you are entitled to childrens allowance!! See the above link for details.

Alot of people are not claiming the childrens allowance as they think they are not entitled due to the 2 year rule.

Child Care Tax Rebate

If you are eligible for Child Care Benefit for approved care, you may also be eligible to receive the Child Care Tax Rebate.
This rebate can be worth 50% of any extra out of pocket child care costs that you incur.

Income Thresholds
The maximum income to be eligible for 'approved care' Child Care benefit, as at March 2009, is:

* 1 Child $126,793
* 2 children $131,457
* 3 children $148,452
* plus $28,028 for each child after the 3rd child

Just found this bit of info on childcare today.

Cheers
Caz

[Rudi]

We get nothing Came as PR, now citizens and we get nothing. Unlike the UK, it's means tested, so it depends on your household income.

Love

Rudi
x

[fish.01]

There is Child Care Benefit (CCB), Child Care Rebate (CCR), Family Tax Benefit Part A (FTB A) and Family Tax Benefit Part B (FTB B).

The only one not income tested is Child Care Rebate. This one gives you half of all your child care costs back so it is well worth it. Must be PR.

You can find out more about them here:
FTB A: Family Tax Benefit Part A
FTB B: Family Tax Benefit Part B
CCB: Child Care Benefit
CCR: Child Care Rebate

[fish.01]

It does depend on how much you earn, we are so close to the limit (even though they're not exceptional salaries) that we haven't bothered applying. Bull Creek Bob will be able to tell you more, or you can do a search as it's been asked before. It's not like the UK

Ali

If you have children in care I hope you have still applied for the Child Care Rebate. You still get that regardless of income.

Personally even if close to the limit I think it is still worth applying for FTB. Some of the govt stimulus payments were dependant on receiving at least the minimum of FTB A or B and I think some other things are as well.