every Centrelink family payment explained: the 2026 menu
last updated: february 2026
catherine alderstein is an early childhood policy researcher and mother of two from Melbourne. she covers government payments, childcare policy, and family economics for mini mode.
the Australian family payment system is a tangle of a dozen different payments spread across Services Australia, the ATO, and state Medicare schemes. most families are eligible for more than they realise because the rules for each payment are different and the interactions aren't obvious.
this is the complete menu for 2026 — what each payment does, who qualifies, the maximum rate, and where to apply. use it as a checklist. if you're not already receiving something on this list, it's worth checking whether you should be.
the big income payments
Family Tax Benefit Part A
paid per child to help with the cost of raising kids. $222.04 per fortnight per child aged 0-12, $288.82 per fortnight per child aged 13-15. income-tested on combined family income, with a free area of $65,189. ends-of-year supplement up to $916.15 per child. apply through myGov.
Family Tax Benefit Part B
paid per family for single-income households and single parents. $188.86 per fortnight if the youngest is under 5, $131.74 per fortnight if 5-18. income-tested on the lower earner's income for couples; no test on income for singles. supplement up to $430.70 per family.
Parenting Payment
income support for the main carer of a young child. Single rate: $1,040.40 per fortnight (youngest child under 14). Partnered rate: $698.30 per fortnight (youngest child under 6). income and assets tested. automatically includes Pharmaceutical Allowance and Energy Supplement.
Child Care Subsidy
pays up to 90% of approved childcare fees. subsidy rate drops 1% per $5,000 of family income above $85,279, reaching zero at around $533,000. hourly fee caps: $14.63 for centre-based care, $13.56 for family day care, $12.81 for outside school hours care. the Three Day Guarantee (from Jan 2026) gives every family at least 72 subsidised hours per fortnight.
Paid Parental Leave
26 weeks at $915.80 per week (total $23,810.80) for a new baby or adopted child. 12% super added from July 2025. can be shared between partners, with 4 weeks reserved for each on a use-it-or-lose-it basis. individual income limit $180,007, family $373,094. Dad and Partner Pay is no longer a separate payment — it's now absorbed into PPL with the reserved partner weeks.
payments for new babies
Newborn Upfront Payment + Newborn Supplement
an alternative to PPL for families who aren't taking government Paid Parental Leave. $667 lump sum plus a Newborn Supplement of up to $2,003.82 (first child) or $668.85 (subsequent children) paid over 13 weeks through FTB Part A. you can't claim both this and PPL for the same child — it's one or the other.
Stillborn Baby Payment
a lump sum of around $3,991 for families who experience a stillbirth from 20 weeks or a baby that dies within 28 days. available where FTB Part A or the Newborn Supplement would otherwise have been payable.
extras and concession cards
Rent Assistance
a top-up for families paying private rent. automatic if you're on FTB Part A or Parenting Payment. up to $211.20 per fortnight for 1-2 children, or $238.56 for 3+ children, paid once your rent exceeds a threshold.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule
up to $1,132 over two calendar years for basic dental services for children aged 2-17. eligibility is tied to the family receiving FTB Part A (or certain other payments) for part of the year. no separate application — bulk-billed at participating dentists.
Health Care Card
automatic if you're on Parenting Payment, FTB Part A at maximum rate, or other income support. gives cheaper PBS prescriptions (around $7.70 instead of $32.50), access to bulk-billed GP visits, and various state and local concessions on utilities, transport, and council rates.
Low Income Health Care Card
for families not receiving a Centrelink payment but with income below a threshold (around $786 per week for singles, $1,360 per week for couples with one child, plus $34 per additional child). same concessions as the Health Care Card. apply through myGov — don't assume you're not eligible, the threshold is higher than people expect.
Essential Medical Equipment Payment
$180 per year per eligible piece of equipment for families running medically required equipment at home (ventilators, dialysis, oxygen concentrators, specialised heating/cooling for a child with a medical condition). claim through myGov.
the full summary table
| payment | max amount | apply where |
|---|---|---|
| FTB Part A | $288.82/fn per child | myGov |
| FTB Part B | $188.86/fn per family | myGov |
| Parenting Payment Single | $1,040.40/fn | myGov |
| Parenting Payment Partnered | $698.30/fn | myGov |
| Child Care Subsidy | up to 90% of fees | myGov |
| Paid Parental Leave | $23,810.80 over 26 wks | myGov |
| Newborn Upfront + Supplement | up to $2,670 total | with FTB claim |
| Rent Assistance | $238.56/fn (3+ kids) | auto with FTB/PP |
| Child Dental Benefits | $1,132 per 2 years | at participating dentist |
| Health Care Card | concessions | auto with income support |
| Low Income Health Care Card | concessions | myGov |
| Essential Medical Equipment | $180/year per item | myGov |
most of these interact. being on one often automatically qualifies you for another — Parenting Payment pulls in a Health Care Card and Pharmaceutical Allowance. FTB Part A unlocks Rent Assistance and the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. claiming one payment is often the gateway to three or four more.
frequently asked questions
what Centrelink payments can families claim in 2026?
the main ones are FTB A and B, CCS, Parenting Payment, PPL, Newborn Upfront + Supplement, Rent Assistance, Child Dental Benefits, the Health Care Card, and Essential Medical Equipment Payment.
what is the Newborn Upfront Payment?
a $667 lump sum plus Newborn Supplement of up to $2,003.82 over 13 weeks, paid through FTB Part A. only available if you're not taking government PPL for the same child.
who is eligible for the Low Income Health Care Card?
families with gross income below around $786/week for singles or $1,360/week for couples with one child, who aren't already on a primary Centrelink payment.
how does the Child Dental Benefits Schedule work?
eligible children aged 2-17 get up to $1,132 over two calendar years for basic dental services, bulk-billed at participating dentists. tied to receiving FTB Part A.
work out what you're entitled to
the calculators give you a fast read on the main payments — FTB, CCS, Parenting Payment, and PPL. plug your details in and see your estimated total.