Centrelink Change of Care for Grandparent Carers: Forms, Evidence and Timelines

When a grandchild moves into your care, the biological parents may still be receiving Family Tax Benefit for that child. Until Centrelink recognises you as the primary carer, the payments keep going to the wrong household. The change of care process fixes that — but it takes preparation and patience.

What a Change of Care Does

A change of care tells Services Australia (Centrelink) that a child has moved from one household to another. Services Australia reassesses your FTB based on your care percentage and circumstances. If you provide at least 35% of the child's care, you can claim FTB; with 35% to 65% care, payment can be shared based on care, while more than 65% care can qualify you for the full child rate.

For eligible single grandparent carers on the Age Pension, FTB Part B has no secondary income test. You still need to claim it through Services Australia.

How to Lodge the Claim

You can lodge through:

1. myGov linked to your Centrelink account (online)
2. Paper claim forms — available from a Centrelink office or by calling
3. Phone with the Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Advisers on 1800 245 965

The dedicated adviser line is the best starting point. These officers specialise in non-parent carer claims and can walk you through the forms.

Documents You'll Need

Without a court order, you need third-party evidence proving you're the child's primary carer. Centrelink accepts:

• Statutory declaration detailing when the child arrived, why, and that you provide full-time care
• School confirmation — a letter from the principal or admin officer confirming the child lives with you and you're the primary contact
• Medical verification — a GP letter confirming you attend the child's appointments
• Community or caseworker statements — from police, DV services, or Department of Communities caseworkers if relevant

Submit the evidence you have. A statutory declaration is one form of evidence; Centrelink may also ask for other third-party documents, such as school, medical, or caseworker confirmation.

What Happens When the Parent Disputes It

When you claim FTB for a child currently claimed by a parent, Centrelink contacts that parent to verify the change. Three things can happen:

• The parent confirms the change — Centrelink can update the care information
• The parent doesn't respond within the response window — Centrelink updates care by default
• The parent disputes it — Centrelink runs a formal care assessment, requesting independent evidence from both sides

Under the Privacy Act 1988, Centrelink cannot share your address or contact details with the parent during this process. If there are family violence concerns, request a note on your file.

Processing Times

Standard processing for FTB and Parenting Payment claims runs 21 to 42 days. If your evidence is incomplete, that stretches further.

For an older child, Services Australia advises you to submit your FTB claim as soon as you think you're eligible. Keep evidence of the care-start date, but don't assume payment will be backdated to that date.

If you're in financial hardship during the wait, ask to speak with a Services Australia social worker. They can authorise advance payments, Crisis Payments (if you fled domestic violence), or emergency relief referrals.

After the Change of Care

Once Centrelink recognises you as the primary carer, you unlock:

• Family Tax Benefit Part A and B
• Eligibility for Parenting Payment (if under pension age and caring for a child under 14)
• The Maintenance Action Test — you may need to apply for child support from the parents, but a social worker can grant an exemption if pursuing support would cause harm

The change of care is the foundation for everything else. Get it right, and the other Centrelink benefits flow from it.

For the full step-by-step process including WA state payments and the school and medical paperwork, the WA Kinship Carer Support Guide covers the lot.

See more Western Australia guides →