Single parent moving to Australia from New Zealand

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If you are a single parent wanting to move to Australia and are unsure of your options, the information below will hopefully help.

If you are wondering what government support you can receive when you arrive in Australia as a single parent, you should be eligible for these payments: Family Tax Benefit, Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement, Child Care Subsidy, Double Orphan Pension and Health Care Card.

Please note, when researching the below I went round and round the different pages, trying to get to the bottom of the eligibility requirements and, as a NZ citizen on an SCV, if you need to wait the newly arrived resident wait period.

I found conflicting answers, but here it does state that you are eligible for the Family Tax Benefit Part A and Part B, newborn payments, single income suppliment, and the child care subsidy if you hold a Special Category visa subclass 444: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/exemptions-to-newly-arrived-residents-waiting-period?context=22151.

Please note, I am not a financial adviser, and I strongly recommend talking to Work and Income about your options before leaving NZ.

In this post, you will find information on the following:

• Eligible Australian government payments for NZ citizens
• Family Tax Benefit Part A
• Family Tax Benefit Part B
• Single Income Family Supplement
• Residence Rules
• Additional support for single parents in Australia

New Zealand citizens claiming payments in Australia are eligible for the below Australian government payments

Non-protected SCV holders

If you live in Australia and you are a non-protected SCV holder, you may be able to claim the following:

• Family Tax Benefit
• Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement
• Single Income Family Supplement
• Child Care Subsidy
• Double Orphan Pension
• Health Care Card – you don’t need to apply for a Health Care Card. If you’re eligible, Services Australia will send you your card.

If you have served or have an exemption from the newly arrived resident’s waiting period, you may also be able to claim the following:

• Low-Income Health Care Card
• Foster Child Health Care Card
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
• Parental Leave Pay
• Dad and Partner Pay
• Assistance for Isolated Children.

Source: Services Australia, New Zealand citizens claiming payments in Australia. 

Family Tax Benefit Part A

Eligibility for FTB Part A is based on your household income. The amount you get depends on the number and age of your children.

FTB Part B is just for one-income households, so many single parents also qualify for this additional payment.

The maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A is now $227.36 for a child 0 to 12 years and $295.82 for a child 13 to 19 years (if eligible). Children aged 16 – 19 must be studying for you to collect FTB Part A.

The Family Tax Part A end-of-financial-year supplement for the 2025–26 financial year is up to $938.05 for each eligible child. This supplement is used to balance payments against income from work.

You may be eligible for FTB Part A if you care for a dependent child who is either 0 to 15 years of age or 16 to 19 years of age and meets the study requirements.

You must also meet the income test, residence rules (NZ citizen on an SCV), and care for the child at least 35% of the time.

Your child must also meet immunisation and Healthy Start for School requirements if they apply. They may reduce your FTB Part A payment per fortnight for each child who doesn’t meet these.

When they balance your payments after the financial year, you may get a FTB Part A supplement. If you didn’t get enough FTB during the year, you may also get a top-up.

To get the FTB Part A supplement, your family’s adjusted taxable income must be $80,000 or less.

Waiting periods: newly arrived residents generally have to wait one year before getting this payment, with some exemptions.

Source: Services Australia, Family Tax Benefit Part A Eligibility. 

Family Tax Benefit Part B

Family Tax Benefit Part B is not paid per child. It is one payment per family and is designed to give extra support to single-parent families and one-income households.

The maximum rate of FTB Part B is currently (June 2026):

• $193.34 per fortnight when your youngest child is 0 to 4 years of age
• $134.96 per fortnight when your youngest child is 5 to 18 years of age

You may also receive the FTB Part B supplement, which is currently up to $448.95 per family per year, paid after the end of the financial year once your income has been balanced.

You may be eligible for FTB Part B if:

• you are a single parent or grandparent carer caring for a dependent child under 18 years of age
• your child meets the study requirements if they are aged 16 to 18
• you meet the income test
• you meet the residence rules
• you care for the child at least 35% of the time

If you are receiving Parental Leave Pay, you cannot receive FTB Part B at the same time.

Read more about how Services Australia define a relationship.

You must also meet all of the following:

• an income test
• residence rules
• care for the child at least 35% of the time.

You or your partner can’t get FTB Part B while getting Parental Leave Pay.

Source: Services Australia, Family Tax Benefit Part B Eligibility.

• Read more about FTB Part A payment rates. 
• You can also find out about the income test for FTB Part A.
• Read more about FTB Part B payment rates. 
• You can also find out about the income test for FTB Part B.

Your relationship changes can affect what payments you can get and your payment rate. 

Parenting Payment

Parenting Payment is an income support payment for parents and carers who are the main carer of a young child.

If you are a single parent, you may be eligible for Parenting Payment until your youngest child turns 14, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.

The amount you receive depends on your income, assets and circumstances.

To be eligible for Parenting Payment as a single parent, you must:

• be the principal carer of a child under 14 years of age
• meet the income and assets tests
• meet residence rules
• meet mutual obligation requirements once your youngest child turns 6 years of age.

New Zealand citizens need to understand that not all NZ citizens on a Special Category Visa (SCV) can access Parenting Payment straight away.

While NZ citizens on an SCV can usually claim family assistance payments like Family Tax Benefit, Parenting Payment falls under Australia’s income support system, and different residence rules may apply.

Because eligibility can vary depending on your visa history and circumstances, it’s best to check your situation directly with Services Australia.

Additional support for single parents in Australia

Here are some Australian not-for-profit websites for single parents that might be helpful:

• https://raisingchildren.net.au/grown-ups/family-diversity/single-parents/support-for-single-parents
• https://singlemum.com.au/government-benefits-welfare-guide
• https://parents.au.reachout.com/common-concerns/everyday-issues/things-to-try-single-parenting-and-teenagers/support-options-for-single-parents
• https://www.frolo.com/blog/single-parent-in-australia
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/australiansingleparents/

I sincerely hope the above helps.

You might be interested in…

The below posts might interest you:

• Find a House to Buy or Rent in Australia
• Jobs in Australia
• Schools in Australia

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