Family Tax Benefit for Grandparent Carers in Queensland

The 35% Care Threshold

Services Australia does not require a court order to pay Family Tax Benefit to a grandparent or relative carer. What matters is actual physical care — you need to have the child living with you at least 35% of the time. That is roughly 2.5 days per week averaged over the assessment period.

If you are the child's sole carer, you comfortably exceed 35%. If care is shared (for example, the child stays with a parent on weekends), Services Australia will assess the exact percentage and split FTB accordingly.

FTB Part A: Per-Child Payment

FTB Part A is paid for each child in your care. The 2026–27 maximum fortnightly rates are:

• $235.48 for children aged 0–12
• $306.46 for children aged 13–15, or 16–19 if in full-time secondary study

You receive the maximum rate if your household adjusted taxable income is $69,131 or less. Above that threshold, the payment reduces by 20 cents for every dollar over the limit. A base rate of $75.60 per fortnight per child applies regardless of income, until a second taper kicks in above $123,078.

At the end of the financial year, you may receive a supplement of up to $970.90 per child if your family income was $80,000 or less.

An income support payment does not by itself guarantee the maximum rate. FTB Part A is income-tested, and the maximum applies when household income is $69,131 or less.

FTB Part B: Per-Family Payment

FTB Part B is designed for single-income families — and that includes a single grandparent carer. If you are a single carer with income of $124,327 or less, you receive the maximum rate:

• $200.34 per fortnight when the youngest child is under 5
• $139.86 per fortnight when the youngest child is 5–18

If you are in a couple, the primary earner can earn up to $124,327 and still receive Part B. The secondary earner can earn up to $7,154 before the payment starts reducing at 20 cents per dollar.

An end-of-year supplement of up to $478.15 is paid after tax reconciliation.

How Change of Care Works

When you start caring for a grandchild who was previously in their parent's care, you need to lodge what Centrelink calls a "change of care" claim. Here is the process:

1. Call the Grandparent Adviser Line on 1800 245 965. Tell them you have taken on care of a child and need to claim FTB.
2. Submit Form CS4647 — a statutory declaration signed before a JP, commissioner for declarations, lawyer or doctor, stating that the child lives with you and you provide day-to-day care.
3. Submit Form FA012 — Details of Your Child's Care Arrangements, including the care percentage split and living arrangements.
4. Attach third-party evidence — a letter from the child's school confirming you are the primary contact, or from a GP confirming you attend appointments with the child.

If the biological parent is currently receiving FTB for the same child, Services Australia initiates a formal care assessment and may contact the parent to verify the change. If the parent disputes it, Services Australia considers the evidence about who actually has the child.

When contact with the parent is unsafe — domestic violence, substance abuse, family breakdown — let the Grandparent Adviser know. They can process the claim using your independent evidence without forcing contact.

Timing and Backdating

FTB is generally effective from the date you lodge the formal claim with Services Australia. Backdating is limited, so lodging quickly matters. Processing typically takes 21 to 56 days. If you are in financial hardship while waiting, the Grandparent Adviser can flag the claim for priority processing.

Reporting Obligations

Once you are receiving FTB, you must notify Services Australia within 14 days if the child returns to their parent, if your care percentage changes, or if your income estimate changes. Failing to report a decrease in care generates a debt that Services Australia will recover.

Update your income estimate each quarter to avoid a large overpayment or underpayment at end-of-year balancing.

Next Steps

The Queensland Kinship Carer Support guide includes a step-by-step FTB claim walkthrough, a printable evidence checklist, and a payment tracker worksheet. The free checklist lists every Centrelink payment you may be eligible for.

See more Queensland guides →