Care Percentage Calculator
Convert nights per fortnight into the official Services Australia care percentage and band. See how your care arrangement affects child support and Family Tax Benefit.
This calculator provides estimates only. For official assessments, use these government resources:
- Services Australia — Child Support
- Family Relationships Online — free advice, mediation referrals (1800 050 321)
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
- Legal Aid — free or low-cost legal help (available in every state)
How this calculator works
Enter your regular nights per fortnight and, if applicable, your holiday arrangement. The calculator converts nights into an annual care percentage using the Services Australia method, then maps it to the official care band. If holiday care differs, it blends term-time and holiday-time nights across the year to produce a weighted annual percentage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the care percentage bands?
Services Australia uses five bands: Below regular care (0–13%), Regular care (14–34%), Shared care (35–47%), Shared care (48–52%), and Primary care (53–100%). Each band maps to a different cost percentage used in the child support formula.
How do school holidays affect care percentage?
If your care arrangement changes during holidays, Services Australia calculates a blended annual percentage. For example, 4 nights per fortnight in term time but 7 during holidays produces a higher annual average than 4 alone.
What counts as a "night" of care?
A night of care means the child sleeps at your home overnight. Daytime-only care does not count as a night, though significant daytime care can sometimes be recognised in special circumstances.
Does care percentage affect Family Tax Benefit?
Yes. Your FTB percentage is based on the same care determination. If you have at least 35% care, both parents can receive a share of FTB Part A proportional to their care percentage.
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