C & W Partners Chartered Accountants

The Family Assistance Office is provided by the Australian Government through partnership arrangements between Medicare Australia, Centrelink, the Department of Education and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).

The Family Assistance Office provides families with Family Tax Benefit Part A, Family Tax Benefit Part B, Child Care Benefit, Child Care Tax Rebate, Baby Bonus and Maternity Immunisation Allowance.

There are Family Assistance Offices across Australia, located in:

• All Medicare offices
• Centrelink customer service centres.

To find out more information about the Family Assistance office visit: Family Assistance office website.

When you visit your local Medicare office, you can also access Family Assistance services at the same time.  You can:

• Apply for the Baby Bonus Payment - a claim must be lodged within the time limits shown below.  Where a child is born:     On or before 31 December 2008, within 26 weeks of the birth of the child, on or after 1 January 2009, within 52 weeks of the birth of the child.
• Apply for Family Tax Benefit (Part A), Family Tax Benefit (Part B), Child Care Benefit, Child Care Tax Rebate or Maternity Immunisation Allowance.
• Lodge Family Assistance forms (including claim forms).
• Let the Family Assistance Office know about a change in income and/or circumstances.
• Consider what if scenarios in terms of payment choices.
• Make an appointment to see a specialist Family Assistance Officer.
• Find out more about the Family Assistance office.

Or you can call 136 150 between 8 am and 8 pm (local time) Monday to Friday or visit the Family Assistance Office's website.