Support for families with teenagers
We provide several payments and services to help families and carers with a teenage dependant. Families and carers can get support for education, health care and household expenses.
On this page
Who does this information apply to?
This information applies to families or carers with a teenage dependant.
Payments and services for families with teenaged students
ABSTUDY provides help with costs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who are studying or undertaking an Australian apprenticeship.
Youth Allowance provides financial help for young people who are studying full-time, undertaking a full-time Australian apprenticeship, training, looking for work or sick.
Youth Connections helps young people who have not completed, or are at risk of not completing Year 12 or equivalent qualifications and have barriers that make it difficult to participate in education, training or employment.
Online Estimator
Use our family assistance estimators to find out which is a better option for you - Parental Leave Pay or Baby Bonus. The family assistance and Youth Allowance estimator helps you decide which payment is the best option for your family. You can also see how much Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Benefit or Child Care Rebate you may be able to get.
Schoolkids Bonus
From January 2013, the Schoolkids Bonus will help families with education costs. Visit our Schoolkids Bonus page to check if you're eligible.
Family Tax Benefit is a payment that helps with the cost of raising children. It is made up of two parts: Family Tax Benefit Part A and Part B.
From January 2013, the Schoolkids Bonus will replace the Education Tax Refund. The bonus helps with the cost of education and will be paid to eligible families in two separate instalments each year—one in January and one in July.
Payments to help with health care expenses
Having a Health Care Card will give you concessions on health care costs. This means you can get cheaper prescription medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and medical services funded by the Australian Government. This card can also give you access to concessions provided by State and Local Governments.
Having a valid Medicare card is important for claiming a Medicare benefit, visiting a doctor who bulk bills, seeking treatment as a public patient in a public hospital or having a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescription filled.
The Medicare Teen Dental Plan makes it more affordable for eligible families to keep their teenagers’ teeth in good health.
Payments to help with household expenses
The Household Assistance Package starts from May 2012 with an initial payment. Tax cuts from July 2012 will follow and then ongoing assistance added to regular payments and services from March 2013. The Household Assistance Package is part of the Australian Government’s plan for a clean energy future.
Rent Assistance gives extra financial help to people who pay rent for their accommodation and receive a Centrelink payment from us.