How to Prove an Informal Care Arrangement to Centrelink

The Core Problem

You are caring for a relative's child full-time. There are no court orders. The child's parent may still be receiving Family Tax Benefit and other Centrelink payments for a child who is no longer living with them. You need Centrelink to recognise you as the primary carer so you can claim FTB and other entitlements. Eligible grandparents may also qualify for the Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) Grandparent stream.

But without court orders, how do you prove it?

Centrelink has a process for exactly this situation — the Change of Care assessment. It does not require a court order. What it requires is evidence.

The Evidence Hierarchy

Centrelink accepts informal care evidence in a hierarchy of credibility. The stronger and more varied your evidence, the faster your claim processes.

Statutory declaration — A written statement you make under oath describing the care arrangement: when the child came to live with you, the circumstances, the care percentage, and the background. This is your primary document. You can have it witnessed by a Justice of the Peace, pharmacist, or other authorised witness at no cost.

School enrolment confirmation — Written confirmation from the school principal or admin office that the child is enrolled with you as the primary contact and that you attend parent-teacher meetings. This is strong evidence because schools verify residential addresses.

GP letter — A letter from the child's doctor confirming that you are the adult who brings the child to medical appointments and makes healthcare decisions. If the child has been listed on your Medicare card, that record itself is supporting evidence.

Government or community statements — Letters from a Department of Communities caseworker (if one is involved), police reports (if the child came to you after a family violence incident), domestic violence crisis service records, or community legal centre documentation.

Other practical evidence — Childcare enrolment records, receipts for school uniforms or supplies in your name, utility bills showing the child's address matches yours.

What Happens After You Lodge

When you claim FTB for a child who was previously claimed by a parent, Centrelink initiates a care dispute process:

1. Centrelink contacts the registered parent to verify the change
2. If the parent confirms (or does not respond within the statutory window), care is updated and your payments begin
3. If the parent disputes the change, Centrelink conducts a formal care assessment — requesting independent evidence from both parties

During a dispute, your personal details are protected. Under the Privacy Act 1988, Centrelink cannot disclose your physical address or contact details to the parent. This is particularly important for carers who have taken a child to protect them from family violence.

Processing Times and Backdating

Standard processing for an FTB Change of Care claim takes 21 to 42 days. Claims can be backdated to the exact date physical care began, provided you lodge within the current financial year.

The most common reason for delays: missing or incomplete evidence. Submitting your statutory declaration, school enrolment letter and GP letter together with the initial claim dramatically reduces processing time.

If you are in severe financial hardship during the processing window, request urgent escalation through a Services Australia Social Worker. They can authorise advance payments or Crisis Payments (if you are fleeing domestic violence).

Tips for a Clean Submission

1. Call the Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Advisers first: 1800 245 965. They will tell you exactly what to prepare for your specific situation.
2. Date everything: Your statutory declaration should include the date the child came into your care and the date of the declaration.
3. Be specific: "My grandson moved into my home on 3 March 2026 after his mother was admitted to hospital" is stronger than "I have been caring for my grandson."
4. Get the school letter early: Schools are generally willing to provide this — ask the principal's office.
5. Keep copies of everything you submit: Note the date, the Centrelink reference number and the name of the person you spoke with.

The Full Process in One Place

Proving informal care is one step in a larger set of claims — FTB, the WA Grandcarers Support Scheme, ACCS Grandparent, school enrolment and medical consent. Our WA Kinship Carer Support Guide walks through all of them in order, with document checklists and worked examples for both grandparent and non-grandparent carers.

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