The FA012 form is a Services Australia document developed by the Australian government for divorcedor separated parents to confirm and document their child’s care arrangements. Whether you are applying for Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A or Child Care Subsidy, understanding this form is essential to ensuring your payments are calculated correctly.
According to Services Australia, you should use Form FA012 (Details of Your Child’s Care Arrangements) when you need to notify Centrelink about changes in your child’s care arrangements, particularly if you receive Family Tax Benefit Part A. For this reason, it is also commonly referred to as the “Details of Your Child’s Care Arrangements” form.
Child support payments are closely linked with Family Tax Benefits. If the circumstances around care arrangements for a child change, it is necessary to notify Services Australia as this can affect both child support and FTB payments.
What Is the FA012 Form Used For?
The FA012 form is a Services Australia document used to report how a child’s care is shared between parents or guardians. It informs Services Australia about how much time a child spends with each parent, directly impacting the calculation of Family Tax Benefit Part A and Child Care Subsidy.
Parties use the FA012 form when they are applying for, or receiving, Family Tax Benefit or Child Care Subsidy, and if the children spend time with someone other than them or their current partner. The FA012 form also serves as formal documentation of the current care arrangement in place, which may be referred to in future disputes or legal proceedings. Importantly, where both carers sign the FA012 form and agree that the care arrangement is ongoing, this form can itself be considered a written agreement for the purposes of Services Australia.
Who Needs to Complete the FA012 Form?
You need to complete the FA012 form if you are:
- Applying for or receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A or Child Care Subsidy
- In a situation where your child spends time with someone other than you or your current partner
- A separated or divorced parent who needs to document a shared care arrangement
- Notifying Centrelink of a change in your child’s care arrangements
If Centrelink requests that you provide details about your child’s care arrangements, the FA012 form must be submitted within 14 days. Missing this deadline can affect your payment entitlements.
FA012 Form: Care Percentage Thresholds for Family Payments
One of the most important aspects of the FA012 form is its direct impact on eligibility for family assistance payments. To be paid the Family Tax Benefit, you must generally care for the child for at least 35% of the time. For the Child Care Subsidy, you must care for the child for at least 14% of the time.
The FA012 form helps calculate the correct rate for Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Subsidy based on the percentage of time a child is in your care. Even small changes to a parenting schedule can push a parent below the relevant threshold, resulting in reduced payments or an obligation to repay amounts already received. This is why keeping your FA012 form up to date is not merely an administrative task — it is a genuine financial safeguard for your family.
What Evidence Do You Need for the FA012 Form?
The evidence required for the FA012 form may vary depending on the specific care arrangement being assessed by Centrelink. Evidence of care arrangements may include:
- Documentation outlining the care arrangement, such as a parenting plan or consent orders
- Proof of regular payments to the carer
- Statements from both the carer and the care recipient confirming the arrangement
- Child care receipts and letters to confirm the care of children
- School or daycare enrolment records listing the relevant parent as an emergency contact
- Proof of travel arrangements, such as airline bookings or passports showing travel dates
- Social worker reports or records from other government departments
- A diary or calendar showing when you care for the child
- Letters from doctors or hospitals
For informal care arrangements that do not have a formal court order in place, everyday records such as receipts, school communications or a maintained calendar can all serve as supporting evidence.
How to Fill Out the FA012 Form
Filling out your child’s care arrangements form may seem daunting at first, but it is a fairly straightforward process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through it:
Step 1: Read the Instructions (Pages 1-4)
Before completing any sections, read the first four pages of the FA012 form carefully. These pages contain important instructions provided by Services Australia that explain what information is required, how to define key terms such as “shared care” and “having a partner,” and what evidence may be needed.
Step 2: Gather Your Information
Before you start, make sure you have all of the following on hand:
- Personal and contact information for both parents, including full names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses
- Details of the dependent child or children in your care, including names, dates of birth and living arrangements
- Financial information for both parents, including income details and any relevant expenses
- Details about any child support payments that are ongoing, including the amount and frequency of payments
- Information about child care costs, medical expenses or other relevant expenses
- Details about any changes in circumstances that may have affected the parents’ ability to pay or receive child support
- Supporting documentation, such as payslips, tax returns or receipts for expenses
Step 3: Complete the Form (Pages 5-11)
Enter your contact details, including your name, phone number and address, on page 5 of the FA012 form. Page 6 requires information about your current relationship status and your partner. Page 7 covers dependent children’s data and clarifies your partner’s relationship to the child or children. Pages 8 to 10 are dedicated to your children’s parenting schedule. Page 11 contains fields for extra care arrangement details.
To fill in this form digitally, you will need a computer and Adobe Acrobat Reader or a similar program. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free online. If your file has been converted to PDF format and is still larger than 5 megabytes, you will not be able to lodge the document online.
Step 4: Sign, Date and Submit
Ensure that all required questions on the FA012 form are answered and that the document is signed and dated before submission. If you are submitting digitally, double-check your electronic signatures before lodging. After completing the form online, you can click the “Done” button to download a printable PDF version.
How to Submit the FA012 Form to Centrelink
Once you have completed the form, you can submit it to Services Australia by mail, fax or online through Centrelink’s Document Lodgement Service. You can submit supporting documentation for the FA012 form online, including child care receipts and letters from doctors or hospitals.
Documents submitted online must be easily readable and within a maximum file size of 5 megabytes. If your document exceeds this limit, you will need to reduce the file size before uploading or submit by post instead.
To download the form, visit the Services Australia website: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/fa012
You can also fill out the FA012 form online using services like pdfFiller and signNow, and print or export the completed version immediately after filling it out.
Why Is the FA012 Form Important?
The FA012 form is an important tool for ensuring that Services Australia has accurate and updated information about your child’s care arrangements. This directly affects the financial support payments that are essential to the child’s development and well-being.
The FA012 form is also important for divorced parents in Australia to establish and document care arrangements for their children. As formal documentation, it can be used to resolve disputes about care percentages and the corresponding family assistance entitlements. Getting this form right from the outset can prevent disputes and overpayments that may need to be repaid to Centrelink at a later date.
How Can Family Lawyers Help With the FA012 Form?
Family lawyers can be invaluable resources when it comes to filling out the FA012 form and navigating the child support system in Australia. Here are some ways that a family lawyer can help:
- Providing guidance and advice: Our family lawyers can help parents understand their rights and obligations when it comes to child care arrangements and child support, and can provide guidance on how to fill out the FA012 form correctly. They can also help parents understand the child support assessment process and what to expect.
- Assisting with negotiations: If there are disputes or disagreements between parents about child support, JB’s family lawyers can help facilitate negotiations and work towards a resolution that is fair and reasonable for both parties.
- Representing parents in court: In some cases, parties may need to resolve child support disputes in court. Our leading family law solicitors can represent parents in these proceedings and advocate on their behalf.
- Providing ongoing support: Even after the child support assessment is complete, our team can continue to provide support and advice as needed. We can assist with any disputes or issues that arise as care arrangements evolve over time.
Importance of Seeking Legal Advice About the FA012 Form
The FA012 form is an important tool for ensuring that children receive the financial support they need to thrive, and for helping parents navigate the complexities of the family law system in Australia. If you are in a situation where you need to apply for child support or reassess your child’s care arrangements, do not hesitate to seek legal advice.
We at JB Solicitors can support parents who are in a high-conflict relationship or who are disputing matters related to their children. Our team of family lawyers can help facilitate negotiations and work towards a resolution that is fair and reasonable for both parties. Our mediation and arbitration services can help disputed parties reach an amicable resolution in their family law matter.
Contact us today if you need legal advice in relation to child care arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions About the FA012 Form
What is the FA012 form?
The FA012 form, officially titled “Details of Your Child’s Care Arrangements,” is a document developed by the Australian government for divorced or separated parents to confirm and document their child’s care arrangements. It is used by Services Australia to determine eligibility and calculate the correct rate of payment for Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Subsidy.
Who is required to complete the FA012 form?
Parents or guardians who are applying for or receiving Family Tax Benefit or Child Care Subsidy must complete the FA012 form if their child spends time with someone other than them or their current partner. It is also required when notifying Centrelink of a change in care arrangements.
How does the FA012 form affect Family Tax Benefit payments?
The FA012 form informs Services Australia about how much time a child spends with each parent, directly impacting the calculation of Family Tax Benefit Part A. To be paid FTB, you must generally care for the child for at least 35% of the time.
What is the minimum care percentage for Child Care Subsidy?
To receive Child Care Subsidy, you must care for the child for at least 14% of the time. The FA012 form is used to calculate the correct rate of subsidy based on the documented percentage of care.
What evidence can I provide with the FA012 form?
Evidence may include documentation outlining the care arrangement, proof of regular payments to the carer, statements from both parties confirming the arrangement, child care receipts, letters from doctors or hospitals, school enrolment records and travel records.
How do I submit the FA012 form?
You can submit the FA012 form and supporting documents online through Centrelink’s Document Lodgement Service, by mail or by fax. Documents submitted online must be easily readable and no larger than 5 megabytes.
How long do I have to submit the FA012 form if Centrelink requests it?
If Centrelink requests that you provide details about your child’s care arrangements using the FA012 form, you must submit it within 14 days.
Can a family lawyer help me with the FA012 form?
Yes. A family lawyer can help you understand your obligations, fill out the form correctly, gather supporting evidence and represent you in any disputes with Centrelink or the other parent. JB Solicitors’ family law team can provide advice tailored to your specific care arrangement.
