FTB Lump Sum Claim Deadline for Grandparent Carers

Family Tax Benefit can be claimed in two ways: as fortnightly instalments throughout the financial year, or as a lump sum after the year ends. Most grandparent carers set up fortnightly payments. But if you didn't — perhaps because you didn't know you were eligible, or the child arrived mid-year and you never got around to it — the lump sum claim is your safety net. And it has a hard deadline.

The Deadline

You must lodge your FTB lump sum claim by 30 June of the year following the financial year you're claiming for. So for the 2025–26 financial year (1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026), the lump sum claim must be lodged by 30 June 2027.

If you've missed the date, contact Services Australia promptly to ask what options apply to your circumstances.

When a Lump Sum Claim Makes Sense

The most common situation: a grandchild moved into your care partway through a financial year, and you didn't claim FTB until well after the year ended. Maybe you were focused on the immediate crisis — sorting out school, medical care, the child's emotional needs — and Centrelink paperwork wasn't the priority.

A lump-sum claim is for the financial year that has ended. Tell Services Australia the dates the child was in your care so it can assess the eligible period.

Another scenario: you were receiving FTB fortnightly but your income was underestimated. After the financial year ends and your actual income is confirmed through tax returns, Centrelink reconciles your FTB. If you're owed more, it's paid as a lump sum top-up automatically. The end-of-year supplement ($970.90 per child for Part A) is also paid at this point, provided your combined adjusted taxable income is $80,000 or less.

How to Lodge

Lodge through myGov linked to your Centrelink online account, or submit paper Form FA048 at a Services Australia service centre. You'll need:

• Your tax return lodged for the relevant financial year (or a non-lodgement advice if you didn't need to file)
• Your partner's tax return or non-lodgement advice
• Evidence of care for the child during the claim period

Centrelink needs income confirmation to reconcile your FTB. If your tax return is delayed, contact Services Australia to confirm which claim and income-confirmation steps must be completed by the deadline.

The Confirm Income Trap

Here's where grandparent carers lose money without realising it. Even if you're receiving FTB fortnightly, Centrelink must reconcile your payments against your actual income after each financial year. This reconciliation requires both you and your partner (if applicable) to either:

• Lodge a tax return with the ATO, or
• Advise Centrelink you're not required to lodge (non-lodgement advice)

You and your partner (if applicable) need to confirm your income for Centrelink to complete the reconciliation and assess any end-of-year supplement. If you're not required to lodge a tax return, you can give Centrelink a non-lodgement advice.

Protecting Yourself

Two simple habits that prevent lost entitlements:

1. Claim FTB fortnightly as soon as the child arrives — even if you think it might be temporary. Your payment starts from the claim date, and if the child leaves your care, you simply notify Centrelink and payments stop.

2. Set a calendar reminder for May each year to confirm your income or lodge your tax return by 30 June. The end-of-year supplement and lump sum reconciliation both depend on it.

Our Centrelink Payments for Grandparents guide includes an annual review calendar alongside the full claim sequence, covering every deadline that affects your payments.

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