I have just arrived in Australia as a permanent resident — can I receive family payments straight away?

For FTB Part A you usually have to wait one year (the newly arrived resident's waiting period) after arriving as a permanent resident. However, this waiting period does not apply to FTB Part B, so you can receive it straight away if you are eligible, and certain visas (permanent residence or partner provisional granted before 1 January 2019, protection visas, subclass 444, subclass 192, and so on) may be exempt. Check your own case with Services Australia.

Can I receive family payments on a temporary visa?

Most short-term, student, and tourist visas do not meet the residence rules and are not eligible. However, some temporary or provisional visas, such as partner provisional or certain protection visas, are recognised. As it varies by visa type, you should check with Services Australia whether your visa meets the residence rules.

My baby is not born yet — can I claim in advance?

Yes. You can lodge a Family Tax Benefit claim up to 3 months before your child's expected birth or adoption date. Claiming in advance speeds up payment processing after the birth, and when you claim FTB your eligibility for the Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement is also checked automatically.

I don't speak English well — how do I apply?

You can call the free interpreting service TIS National (131 450), have an interpreter in your language connected, and proceed with your Centrelink conversation. You can also use Centrelink's multilingual phone lines or on-site interpreting at some Service Centres. A claim made through an interpreter is processed in exactly the same way as one you make yourself.

Will receiving family payments disadvantage my permanent residence or citizenship application?

Family and parenting support payments such as Family Tax Benefit and Parenting Payment are welfare lawfully provided to people who meet the eligibility requirements, and receiving ordinary family payments does not in itself directly disadvantage a visa or citizenship application. However, your visa conditions and the effect on future applications can vary case by case, so before any important decision please check with a registered migration agent or with Services Australia or the Department of Home Affairs.

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Family Payments (Family Tax Benefit · Parenting Payment)

A guide to Centrelink parenting support payments for foreign families raising children in Australia. We cover the eligibility, residence rules, and how to apply for FTB Part A·B, Parenting Payment, and the Newborn payment.

This page is general information to help foreign families living in Australia understand the Centrelink parenting support payments they may be entitled to. It is not financial or migration advice.

Payment amounts, eligibility rules, and deadlines change often, and the figures in this article are for the 2025-26 financial year. For the exact eligibility and amounts for your situation, always check the Services Australia official website or the Centrelink Families line on 136 150.

Life in Australia Guide

Family Payments (Family Tax Benefit · Parenting Payment)

Family Payments (Family Tax Benefit · Parenting Payment)

What are family payments? What types are there?

Residence rules and the 'newly arrived resident's waiting period'

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A · Part B

FTB Part A — the basic payment per child

FTB Part B — extra payment for single-income and single-parent families

Parenting Payment — living support for the principal carer

Newborn — birth and adoption payment

Income and assets tests (how much can you receive?)

How do you apply? (myGov + Centrelink)

You can apply in your own language even if your English is limited

Official source links

Frequently Asked Questions

Family Payments (Family Tax Benefit · Parenting Payment)

Family Payments (Family Tax Benefit · Parenting Payment)

What are family payments? What types are there?

Residence rules and the 'newly arrived resident's waiting period'

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A · Part B

FTB Part A — the basic payment per child

FTB Part B — extra payment for single-income and single-parent families

Parenting Payment — living support for the principal carer

Newborn — birth and adoption payment

Income and assets tests (how much can you receive?)

How do you apply? (myGov + Centrelink)

You can apply in your own language even if your English is limited

Related guides worth reading

Official source links

Frequently Asked Questions