A married couple have chosen to live in Lebanon, but have frequented Australia for the birth of each of their children, solely for the purpose of claiming a raft of family-based welfare payments…

In light of the staggering costs of divorce to the national economy in government assistance payments and court costs, Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews said he will act to establish an expert panel on early intervention, examine strategies to lower the divorce rate and better identify and assist vulnerable children and young people…

This factsheet explains how Family Tax Benefit (FTB) works when the care of children is shared, most frequently in the event of divorce or separation. It also explains how to deal with problems that can arise, particularly when two carers do not agree on the “percentage of care” that should apply…