Double Orphan Pension for Grandparents in the ACT: Eligibility, Rate and How to Claim

What the Double Orphan Pension Is

The Double Orphan Pension (DOP) is a Commonwealth payment from Services Australia for people caring for a child who has lost both parents. It pays on top of Family Tax Benefit — not instead of it — and there is no income or assets test on the carer.

As of 1 January 2026, the base rate is $81.60 per fortnight per qualifying child. The rate is indexed annually based on CPI movements.

Who Qualifies

You can claim the Double Orphan Pension if you are raising a child and:

• Both parents are deceased, or
• One parent is deceased and the surviving parent is:
  • Incarcerated for at least 10 years, or
  • Admitted to a psychiatric institution indefinitely, or
  • Missing, after reasonable search efforts

The child does not need to be your biological grandchild — aunts, uncles, siblings and other relatives caring for the child can claim. You do not need a court order, and the care arrangement can be informal.

Evidence Requirements

For both parents deceased, submit parent death certificates with your claim.

You will need evidence of the relevant circumstance. Ask Services Australia what it accepts for your claim; the following records may help:

• Incarceration — a court sentencing document showing a sentence of at least 10 years, if available
• Psychiatric admission — documentation from the treating facility confirming indefinite admission, if available
• Missing parent — evidence that reasonable search efforts were made and the parent cannot be located. This might include a statutory declaration describing your search efforts, police reports, or evidence of failed attempts to contact the parent through known addresses

If you are struggling to prove a surviving parent's whereabouts are unknown, the Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Adviser Line (1800 245 965) can help you understand what evidence Centrelink will accept.

How to Claim

Lodge your claim online through myGov under the Family Assistance section, or call the Grandparent Carer Adviser Line to have them walk you through it over the phone.

The DOP is paid in addition to FTB Part A, not as a replacement. Ask Services Australia whether to lodge both claims together in your circumstances.

Nationally, Services Australia processed approximately 200 Double Orphan Pension claims in the 2024–25 financial year, with about 100 granted. It is a small payment, but it is yours by right if the circumstances apply.

Interaction With Other Payments

The Double Orphan Pension is:

• Non-taxable — you do not report it on your tax return
• Non-means-tested as an entitlement
• Paid in addition to FTB Part A

If you are also receiving the ACT Foster and Kinship Care Subsidy (for statutory placements only), the DOP does not affect that payment either.

If Your Claim Is Rejected

Request an internal review by an Authorised Review Officer (ARO) within 13 weeks of the decision. If the ARO affirms the rejection, you can appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) — the first-tier appeal is free and informal.

For help navigating the appeal, Legal Aid ACT (1300 654 314) and Canberra Community Law (02 6218 7900) both offer free advice on social security decisions.

The ACT Kinship Carer Support guide includes the complete DOP evidence checklist and a claim progress log for tracking your application.

See more Australian Capital Territory guides →