Family Tax Benefit A & B Explained: Income Thresholds, Eligibility & Child Dental Benefits (2026)

Understanding Family Tax Benefit: Part A vs Part B

Family Tax Benefit is split into two distinct parts, each with different purposes and eligibility rules.

Family Tax Benefit Part A

FTB Part A is a per-child payment that helps with the general cost of raising children. The amount you receive depends on your family's income, the number of children you have, and their ages.

Maximum Fortnightly Rates (2025-26):

Annual Supplement: Families earning $80,000 or less may also receive an FTB Part A supplement of up to $938.05 per child at the end of the financial year. This is a hard income cap-families earning over $80,000 receive no supplement.

Family Tax Benefit Part B

FTB Part B is a per-family payment that provides extra support to single parents or families with one main income earner. The rate depends on the age of your youngest child.

Maximum Fortnightly Rates (2025-26):

Annual Supplement: Eligible families may receive an FTB Part B supplement of up to $459.90 per family at the end of the financial year.

Income Test Thresholds: How Your Pay Affects Your Payments

The FTB income test is where most families get confused. Services Australia uses two different calculation methods (Method 1 and Method 2) and automatically applies whichever gives you the higher payment.

FTB Part A Income Thresholds

Method 1 (Lower Income Test):

Method 2 (Higher Income Test):

Example: A family with one child aged 5 earning $100,000 would be assessed under both methods. Under Method 1, their payment would be at the base rate. Under Method 2, their payment would be reduced from the base rate by 30 cents for each dollar over $94,316. They receive whichever is higher.

FTB Part B Income Thresholds

Secondary Earner Taper (Couples):

Who Can Claim FTB? Visa Eligibility

Not all visa holders are eligible for Family Tax Benefit. The eligibility rules create a stratified system of access.

Eligible Visa Holders

NOT Eligible

The Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (NARWP)

If you recently gained permanent residency, the NARWP determines when you can start receiving benefits.

NARWP Exemptions

You may be exempt from the waiting period if you are:

• A refugee or humanitarian visa holder (200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 866)
• Experienced a "substantial change in circumstances" after arrival (e.g., death of sponsor, domestic violence, becoming a sole parent)
• In severe financial hardship (you must have less than $5,000 in liquid assets)

Immunisation Requirements: "No Jab, No Pay"

Your children must meet immunisation requirements to receive full FTB Part A payments. This is known as the "No Jab, No Pay" policy. Since 2018, the penalty is applied in real-time rather than at tax time.

Requirements:

• Children must be fully immunised according to the National Immunisation Program schedule
• Alternatively, they must be on an approved catch-up schedule
• Or have a valid medical exemption recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

Penalty for Non-Compliance: If your child is not up to date with immunisations, your FTB Part A is reduced by approximately $29.68 per fortnight per child.

Grace Period: Services Australia provides a 63-day grace period to arrange missed vaccinations before payments are reduced.

Catch-Up Schedules: You don't need to be fully immunised immediately to restore payments-you just need to commence a recognised catch-up schedule certified by a GP.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS): Free Dental for Eligible Children

One of the most valuable but often-overlooked benefits for migrant families is the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). This provides up to $1,158 per child for dental services over a two-year period (cap for periods commencing in 2026).

Who is Eligible?

Your child may be eligible for CDBS if:

• They are aged 0-17 years for at least one day of the calendar year
• They are eligible for Medicare
• They (or you) receive certain government payments, including:
  • Family Tax Benefit Part A
  • Parenting Payment
  • Youth Allowance
  • Disability Support Pension
  • Carer Payment
  • Special Benefit

What Does CDBS Cover?

How the Cap Works:

The $1,158 benefit cap applies over a two-consecutive-calendar-year period. The period begins on 1 January of the year your child first receives an eligible dental service.

• You can use the entire cap in Year 1 if needed, but this leaves nothing for Year 2
• Unused funds do not roll over to a third year
• A new cap becomes available if your child remains eligible in subsequent years

Not all dentists bulk-bill CDBS services. Before your appointment, ask the dentist:

1. Do you accept CDBS?
2. Do you bulk-bill, or will there be out-of-pocket costs?

Practical Steps for Migrant Families

Newly Arrived Permanent Residents

1. Apply for FTB Part B immediately - there's no waiting period
2. Mark your calendar for FTB Part A eligibility (1 year from visa grant or arrival, whichever is later)
3. Register for Medicare and ensure your children's immunisations are up to date
4. Create a myGov account and link it to Medicare and Centrelink
5. Check CDBS eligibility once you start receiving FTB Part A

Partner Visa Holders

If you hold a partner provisional visa (309/820) and have children:

• You can claim FTB Part B immediately
• Your FTB Part A waiting period may have started when you lodged your visa application
• You may already be eligible for FTB Part A if you applied more than 12 months ago

491/494 Regional Visa Holders

If you hold a skilled regional visa:

• You are not eligible for FTB Part A or Part B during your provisional visa period
• You do have Medicare access, which reduces medical costs
• Budget carefully-you may be missing $6,000-$10,000 per year in family assistance compared to PR holders
• Once you transition to PR (Subclass 191), you become eligible for FTB (subject to NARWP)

Common Questions

Q: My child was born overseas. Can I still claim FTB? A: Yes, as long as your child meets the residence requirements and is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or on an eligible visa when they arrive in Australia.

Q: I earn $150,000. Am I still eligible for anything? A: Unlikely for FTB Part A (you would exceed the cut-out threshold). However, if you're the secondary earner in a couple earning less than the thresholds, your partner may claim FTB Part B if they're under the $120,007 cap.

Q: How do I prove my child's immunisation status? A: Centrelink automatically checks the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). You can also access your child's immunisation history through your Medicare online account via myGov.

Q: Do I need to apply separately for CDBS? A: No separate application is required. If your child is eligible, the dentist can claim directly from Medicare.

Q: I'm on a 491 visa with a family. Is there any government support? A: Unfortunately, 491 visa holders are not eligible for FTB despite paying Australian taxes. You do have Medicare access and eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy. Plan your budget assuming no FTB support until you transition to PR.

Summary: FTB Part A vs Part B at a Glance

How First Migration Can Help

While Family Tax Benefit is administered by Services Australia (Centrelink), your visa type directly affects when you become eligible. Understanding these rules is essential for financial planning during migration.

At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents can help you:

• Understand how your current visa affects benefit eligibility
• Plan your migration timeline to minimise waiting periods
• Navigate the transition from provisional to permanent visas
• Connect you with settlement services that assist with Centrelink applications

Ready to understand your options? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can help you plan your migration journey with complete financial clarity.