Since 1996, the Australian government has worked to affirm the position of the family as the most important institution in Australian society. This has led to the focusing of policy on the family, with the specific goal of helping to better integrate paid work and caring responsibilities. This saw a continuation of the rise in family payments that had begun prior to the Howard government gaining office.
The most significant acknowledgement of the need to address families in Australia came with the 2004 budget and the announcement of the More Help for Families package. This package consists of:
- Family Tax Benefit Part A- aimed at assisting families with the cost of raising on family, the amount of assistance reduces by 30 cents for every dollar earned over $94, 316.
- Family Tax Benefit Part B- a supplement to Part A for single-parent families or families with one source of income, income can be up to $150 000 a year before assistance reduces.
- Childcare Benefit- policy instrument most explicitly targeted at integrating work and raising a family. This benefit is means tested against a total household income and eligibly families must use approved childcare centres.
In July 2001, the ranking of Australia’s child benefit as a percentage of average earnings after taxes, benefits and housing costs was 9.1. In 2004 it had increased to 9.6. While this is not a huge increase, it does indicate positive growth and a tendency towards generosity in the providing for children and families.