Wow,

after dragging my heels I finally got around to going online and attempting to work out what we were entitled to from Centrelink as a family.

Each time I called with my daft questions they were polite and helpful and when I had to supply visas and birth certs etc in person they were quick and efficient.

And the result - less than 2 weeks after them having all the relevant information, I have had over 6 months worth of back dated family assistance deposited into my account .

And to think I didn't think we'd get anything. For all those out there procastinating with all those forms - get on with it, it's soooo worth it.

cheers!

Thanks Nerine, I am SOOOO excited. I really never thought we'd get anything and the timing is just great with costs increasing all over the place. Regular payments should cover about a quarter of our monthly food bills

The good thing about centerlink is if you dont claim during the year you can still claim at the end of the tax year, when all your income is in, interest and such which they get from the ATO. Much easier than keeping up with updating your income every couple of weeks, and of course avoids a repayment bill at end of year

Does that mean we can work out our annual salary at the end of year, and the put the claim in the for the year ?

This being a part year working I guess we might be due a fair amount.

I assume that all centrelink payments were out of the question because we are sponsored , but it looks like FA is outside of the rules.

Yes if you are eligible for centerlink its probably the best method. At the end of the year you obviously know what your final income/interest etc was, and you then get an accurate payment. If you claim during the year and underestimate your income you get a bill for a overpayment.

End of year - as in end of tax year june 30.

wow, that's great

just make sure you get a reference number for every call and make a brief note of the conversation and who you spoke to. it may well come in handy one day.

I agree. We got a lump sum at end of the year. Went on holiday with it

Hi Herrchcock,

Hopefully when me and the OH finally get to Oz, we said we would like to have our first child there, about 18months after arrival maybe, would we get any help with centrelink or will we have to get by for the first 2 years ?

It doesn't matter how much you get, it all helps

Thanks
Donna.

Have pm'd you Donna

Wow thanks for posting that Herrchook! We have been out here nearly 5 months and haven't got round to going to a centrelink. I will do so now, do I have to have OH with me as he's the earner or can I sort it all out on my own?

You can do this yourself - have a look here http://myaccount.centrelink.gov.au/w...s?initURL=true

Are these basically the equivelant of Child allowance in the UK? Just wondered or is Centrelink much better?

can someone clarify if you can claim family tax credit if you r on a 457 long stay temp visa?

We're on that and when I looked at it yesterday couldn't see anything that would suggest that we wouldn't be able to claim it.

Think that it's a brilliant idea to claim it as a lump sum at the end of the tax year.