What is the Baby Bonus?

Baby Bonus is paid to families following the birth (including stillborn babies) or adoption of a child. It recognises the extra costs incurred at the time of a new birth or adoption.

These payment rates of Baby Bonus are effective from 1 July 2010. You can be paid $5,294 per eligible child in 13 fortnightly installments, or if your baby was stillborn, you may ask for your Baby Bonus to be paid in a lump sum instead of fortnightly installments

Baby Bonus is an income tested payment.

How much is the Baby Bonus?

For current rates of payment for the Baby Bonus, go to Family Assistance Payment Rates.

If there is a change in care during the 26 week eligibility period following the birth, the payment may be apportioned between two carers

Please Note: Baby Bonus is indexed in July of each year. Baby Bonus is not taxable and it is not considered income for Family Assistance or Social Security purposes.

Can I get the Baby Bonus?

To be eligible for Baby Bonus you must:

be the primary carer of a dependent child or the partner of the primary carer have the care of the child within 26 weeks of the child's birth and be likely to continue for at least 26 weeks

in the case of adoption, have the child come into your care as part of the adoption process before the child is sixteen years of age not have received or be receiving Parental Leave Pay for the child have adjusted taxable income of less than or equal to $75,000* for the period of 6 months from the date of birth of the child or six months from the date that an adopted child entered into your care as part of the adoption process, and meet Australian residency requirements for family assistance purposes.

*Note: This income limit will next be subject to indexation on 1 July 2012

Parents are required to formally register the birth of their child as a condition of receiving the Baby Bonus. This requirement does not apply to parents whose child is stillborn, adopted or born outside Australia.

How is the Baby Bonus paid?

Baby Bonus is paid per eligible child in 13 equal fortnightly installments.

You cannot receive Parental Leave Pay and a Baby Bonus payment for the same child. If you are eligible for both Parental Leave Pay and the Baby Bonus, you can access the Paid Parental Leave Comparison Estimator to help you make an informed decision about which payment to claim.

If you have twins, you could receive a Baby Bonus payment for each child. If you have twins and are eligible for Parental Leave Pay, you could receive Parental Leave Pay for one child and Baby Bonus for the other.

When can I claim the Baby Bonus?

You can claim the Baby Bonus (and other payments such as Family Tax Benefit and Parental Leave Pay) up to three months before the birth of a child or an adopted child entering your care as part of the adoption process.

Your claim must be lodged no later than 52 weeks from the day after the child's birth or, in the case of adoption, no later than 52 weeks from the day after the adopted child comes into the adopting parent's care.

How do I claim the Baby Bonus?

You can make a claim for the Baby Bonus using Online Services. You will need to register to use Online Services.

You can call 13 6150 for assistance in completing your online claim or to request a hard copy form. You can also download the claim form or visit the Family Assistance Office located in Medicare offices and Centrelink Customer Service Centres to collect a hard copy.

Where do I go for more information?

Call the Family Assistance Office on 13 6150 between 8:00AM and 8:00PM (local time), Monday to Friday.

Visit the nearest Family Assistance Office located in all Centrelink Customer Service Centres and Medicare offices.