Kinship Carer Entitlements Victoria: What Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Can Claim

The Full Picture of What You Can Claim

When a grandchild or relative's child moves in, most people know they can get "some Centrelink help." What they do not realise is how many separate entitlements exist across Commonwealth and state systems — and that missing even one means leaving money or concessions on the table.

Here is every entitlement available to kinship carers in Victoria, grouped by who pays it.

Commonwealth Payments (Through Centrelink)

These are available to informal and formal kinship carers alike. Centrelink assesses on physical care, not court orders.

Family Tax Benefit Part A — the main per-child payment, income-tested, paid fortnightly or as a lump sum. You need at least 35% care of the child.

Family Tax Benefit Part B — additional payment for single-income families and single carers. Most grandparents on the Age Pension qualify.

Newborn Supplement + Newborn Upfront Payment — if a baby under one year enters your care, these are paid through FTB Part A for the first 13 weeks.

Additional Child Care Subsidy (Grandparent) — up to 100 hours per fortnight of subsidised childcare at 120% of the rate cap. Requires an eligible income support payment, 65% or more care, and primary decision-making responsibility.

Foster Child Health Care Card — non-means-tested concession card for non-parent carers. Covers PBS prescription concessions and qualifies the child for CSEF at school.

Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Advisers (1800 245 965) — a dedicated Centrelink line that schedules specialist appointments and navigates your claims.

Victorian State Entitlements

DFFH Care Allowance (formal placements only) — fortnightly non-taxable allowance from $473.66 to $1,929.33, depending on the child's age and assessed care level. Only available if Child Protection has endorsed your placement.

Victorian Carer Card — carer-coded myki with 50% off public transport, free weekend travel, and annual travel vouchers. Available to informal carers via a Statutory Declaration or Authorised Professional Declaration.

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) — $400 per eligible student per year for school activities. Eligibility is through a valid concession card on the first day of Term 1 or Term 2, or the child being in formal out-of-home care. Apply through the school.

State Schools' Relief — free uniforms, shoes, and study materials for students in hardship. Applied for by the school principal or wellbeing coordinator.

Utility concessions — holders of a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card qualify for state concessions on electricity, gas, water, and council rates.

First Supports Program (formal placements) — up to 12 months of family support, kinship assessment, and financial brokerage delivered through Community Service Organisations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

School hardship subsidies — Victorian government school principals hold discretionary hardship funds to waive essential learning item contributions and subject costs.

Support Services

Kinship Carers Victoria (KCV) — peak advocacy body offering systemic support, navigation guidance, peer support, and community resources. Funded organisation, not a statutory authority — they help you navigate the system but do not determine benefit claims.

Grandparents Victoria (GPV) — information, referral, and support specifically for grandparent carers.

Community legal centres — free legal advice for kinship carers on family law orders, parental responsibility, and consent authority. Victoria Legal Aid runs a kinship care legal help service.

Respite and peer support — regional programs funded by the Victorian Government offer short-term respite care and peer support groups for kinship carers. Availability varies by location and funding cycles.

The Order That Matters

Start with Centrelink (FTB + Foster Child Health Care Card), then the Victorian Carer Card and school supports (CSEF, State Schools' Relief), then connect with Kinship Carers Victoria for ongoing navigation and advocacy. If the child is in a DFFH-endorsed placement, ask your caseworker to confirm the care allowance and whether a First Supports referral is appropriate; referrals are required within 21 days for placements expected to exceed three months.

The Victoria Kinship Carer Support guide organises every entitlement by care arrangement type, so you only work through the sections that apply to your specific situation.

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