How Child Support Affects Family Tax Benefit (2025-26 Guide)

Receiving child support? It affects your Family Tax Benefit—but not in the way most parents expect. Child support reduces FTB Part A through the maintenance income test, but FTB Part B is completely unaffected. Understanding this trade-off is critical when negotiating child support arrangements.

The Maintenance Income Test

The maintenance income test is how Services Australia accounts for child support when calculating FTB Part A. It's based on a simple principle: if you're receiving child support, you have more money available for the child's costs, so your FTB Part A is reduced.

This is critical: child support does NOT affect FTB Part B. Only FTB Part A is reduced by the maintenance income test.

Step-by-Step: How Child Support Reduces FTB

Learn more about router.push('/blog/ftb-part-b-explained')} > FTB Part B eligibility and rates

Understanding the trade-off between child support and FTB is critical when negotiating child support arrangements. More child support doesn't always mean more total family income.

Real-World Examples

If child support is significantly reducing your FTB, consider these strategies:

The child support vs FTB trade-off can be complex. Consider legal advice if:

FTB Part B is NOT Affected

The Child Support vs FTB Trade-Off

Strategies to Maximize Total Income

🚨 When You Need Professional Help

Frequently Asked Questions