Australian Government Department of Human Services

Bringing home a new baby is exciting—but there's also a lot to organise. In this episode of the Services Australia podcast, we explain how Parental Leave Pay can help eligible parents and carers take time off work to care for their newest family member. Hear practical advice on: • Who can get Parental Leave Pay and how much you may receive • The changes to the scheme, including more weeks of paid leave and superannuation • How both parents can access the payment • When to claim and why applying early can make things easier • Flexible ways to use Parental Leave Pay alongside employer-funded leave Plus, we bust some common myths, share practical tips to help you prepare before your baby arrives, and explain where to find more information about payments and services available for growing families. More information at: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au www.my.gov.au

Balancing your family payments is an important part of tax time—and knowing what to do can help you avoid delays and unexpected surprises. In this episode of the Services Australia podcast, we explain how balancing works for Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Subsidy, and what you need to do to make sure you're paid the right amount. Hear practical advice on: • What balancing is and why it matters • How to confirm your income and when to lodge your tax return • What to do if you don't need to lodge a tax return • The three possible balancing outcomes and what they mean • Simple ways to reduce the risk of a debt next year Plus, we share practical tips to help keep your family payments up to date throughout the year, explain how Child Care Subsidy withholding works, and show you where to track your balancing progress online. More information at: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/balancing www.my.gov.au www.ato.gov.au

Tax time is here—and it can get confusing fast. In this episode of the Services Australia podcast, we break down what tax time means if you receive payments like Family Tax Benefit, Child Support or Medicare. Hear practical advice on: • Whether you need to lodge a tax return • When to lodge (and why timing matters) • How payment balancing works • Common mistakes to avoid • How to protect yourself from scams Plus, simple steps you can take now—like checking your details and income estimates—to make tax time easier. Stay informed, stay safe, and lodge once, lodge right. More information at: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au www.my.gov.au www.ato.gov.au

If your bank details aren't up to date with Medicare, they won't be able to pay your benefit. You could also have unpaid Medicare benefits if you haven't added a bank account since you turned 14. In this episode Kirsten and Chelsea tell you how you can check to see if you are one of the 1 million Australians who have unclaimed Medicare benefits and how to update your details so you don't miss out. More information at: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare https://my.gov.au/en/services/work/managing-the-cost-of-living/finding-lost-money#unpaid-medicare-benefits

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule covers part or the full cost of some basic dental services for children if you get certain payments from us. In this episode Kirsten and Chelsea discuss the benefits, eligibility and what you need to do to claim. For more information: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/child-dental-benefits-schedule

We hear so much about scams these days and especially ones that impersonate government agencies like Services Australia and myGov. In this episode Kirsten and Hank discuss the types of scams you need to look out for, what you can do to protect yourself and what Services Australia is doing to protect your information from scams

Child Care Subsidy is assistance to you with the cost of child care. To get Child Care Subsidy (CCS) you must: - care for a child 13 or younger who's not attending secondary school, unless an exemption applies - use an approved child care service - be responsible for paying the child care fees - meet residence and immunisation requirements. Kirsten and Chelsea talk about everything you need to know, who can get it and how to claim. For more information go to: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/child-care-subsidy

Currently, around 600,000 people use Centrepay, a free bill paying service offered by Services Australia. It is for managing expenses like accommodation, utilities, and essential services. Centrepay is changing because community feedback indicated that it was necessary to better protect customers and to simplify the service, returning it to its primary purpose of bill payment. Kirsten and Hank have all the details in our latest podcast.

Whether you or someone you know is finishing Year 12, heading to uni, starting a trade or even jumping straight into work or you are still deciding what your next steps are then this is the episode for you. Kirsten and Justin discuss the support available, eligibility and give you some tips to help make the transition smoother. Go to https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/leaving-secondary-school and https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/education for more.

Deeming rates are changing and if you're receiving a payment from us, like the age pension, it's important that you understand how the changes could affect you. Kirsten and Hank explain what deeming is, the changes and what you need to do.

Anindilyakwa Family Tax Benefit by Services Australia

Western Arrernte Parenting Payment Single by Services Australia

Western Arrernte What Can Affect Your Family Tax Benefit by Services Australia

Western Arrernte What Is JobSeeker Payment by Services Australia

Western Arrernte Parenting Payment Partnered by Services Australia

Western Arrernte Reasons Stopping You From Asking For Child Support by Services Australia

Western Arrernte Maintaining Carer Payment And Carer Allowance by Services Australia

Western Arrernte How Child Support Affects Your Family Tax Benefi1 by Services Australia

Western Arrernte Disability Support Pension by Services Australia

Western Arrernte Family Tax Benefit Pre Birth Claim by Services Australia

Western Arrernte Family Tax Benefit by Services Australia

Western Arrernte Claiming Carer Payment And Carer Allowance by Services Australia

Western Arrernte Compliance And Debt by Services Australia

Western Arrernte Evidence You Need To Claim Disability Support Pensio by Services Australia

Warlpiri Reasons Stopping You From Asking For Child Support by Services Australia

Warlpiri What Can Affect You Family Tax Benefit by Services Australia

Warlpiri JobSeeker Payment by Services Australia

Warlpiri Parenting Payment Single by Services Australia

Warlpiri Maintaining Carer Payment And Carer Allowance by Services Australia

Warlpiri Parenting Payment Partnered by Services Australia

Warlpiri How Child Support Affects Your Family Tax Benefit by Services Australia

Warlpiri Family Tax Benefit by Services Australia

Warlpiri Family Tax Benefit Pre Birth Claim by Services Australia

Warlpiri Evidence You Need To Claim DSP by Services Australia

Warlpiri Claiming Carer Payment And Carer Allowance by Services Australia

Warlpiri Compliance And Debt by Services Australia

Warlpiri Disability Support Pension by Services Australia

Tiwi What Is JobSeeker Payment by Services Australia

Tiwi What Can Affect Your Family Tax Benefit by Services Australia

Tiwi Parenting Payment Partnered by Services Australia

Tiwi Parenting Payment Single by Services Australia

Tiwi Reasons Stopping You From Asking For Child Support by Services Australia

Tiwi Family Tax Benefit by Services Australia

Tiwi How Child Support Affect Your Family Tax Benefit by Services Australia

Tiwi Maintaining Carer Payment And Carer Allowance by Services Australia

Tiwi Evidence You Need To Claim Disability Support Pension by Services Australia

Tiwi Family Tax Benefit Pre Birth Claim by Services Australia

Tiwi Claiming Carer Payment And Carer Allowance by Services Australia

Tiwi Compliance And Debt by Services Australia

Tiwi Disability Support Pension by Services Australia

Pitjantjatjara Reasons Stopping You From Asking For Child Support by Services Australia