I’m a parent

Timeline of upcoming changes

1. 

    
    

   March

   Waiting periods

   Our temporary waiver for waiting periods ended on 31 March 2021. After this date, the waiting periods might apply to you again. This includes the:

   • newly arrived resident’s waiting period
   • seasonal work preclusion period.

   Coronavirus Supplement

   The temporary Coronavirus Supplement, at a rate of $150 per fortnight, ended on 31 March 2021.

   Economic Support Payment

   The Economic Support Payment was an extra payment to support people impacted by COVID-19.

   You got this payment in March 2021 if you were:

   • living in Australia
   • getting an eligible payment or concession card on 26 February 2021.

   You didn’t need to claim the payment, we paid you automatically. You didn’t get the Economic Support Payment if you were getting the Coronavirus Supplement.

   JobKeeper Payment

   JobKeeper Payment ended on 28 March 2021.

2. 

    

   April

   From 1 April:

   • Parenting Payment increases by $50 per fortnight
   • the income free area for certain income support payments including Parenting Payment partnered, changes to $150 per fortnight
   • your partner can have income up to $1,124 per fortnight before their income reduces your payment.

   Nil payment period

   On 16 April 2021, the nil payment period we extended due to COVID-19 ended. If we haven’t paid you at least $1 in the 6 fortnights before 16 April 2021, we’ll cancel your payment. This applies to all customers, except those getting Disability Support Pension (DSP).

   If your own income reduces your DSP rate to nil for your maximum period,  we’ll suspend your DSP for up to 2 years.

   Extended work test

   To get Parental Leave Pay or Dad and Partner Pay you need to meet a work test. If COVID-19 affected your work, you may be able to use an extended work test when you claim.

   You can access the extended work test when both of the following apply:

   • you don’t meet the standard work test because your employment hours reduced, or you stopped work, due to COVID-19
   • your child’s birth or adoption is between 22 March 2020 and 31 March 2021.

   You need to claim within one year of your child’s birth or adoption. There are rules about when you must claim to get the full amount.

   Read more about changes to the work test.

   Extra Child Care Subsidy hours

   If you were getting extra Child Care Subsidy (CCS) hours because of COVID-19, this ended on 4 April 2021. From 5 April we're using your actual activity level to work out how much CCS you can get.

   Mutual obligation requirements

   If you have mutual obligation requirements, the minimal number of job searches increased from 8 to 15 per month. This applies if you're in jobactive or Disability Employment Services. Talk to your provider if you have any questions.

    

3. 

    

   June

   The temporary waiver for the ordinary waiting period ends on 30 June 2021.

More information

Read more reminders and updates for families impacted by COVID-19 including:

• how to manage your Child Support during COVID-19
• how COVID-19 can impact your FTB.

For regular updates about families payments, read all families news. Don’t forget to subscribe if you want updates sent directly to your mailbox.

You can also read more about other changes to families payments on our website.