Who can get Baby Bonus?
Baby Bonus is a payment to help with the extra costs of a new baby or adopted child.
You may get Baby Bonus for a child who is born or enters your care up to 1 January 2009 if:
- you have a newborn baby or start caring for a newborn child within 13 weeks of the child’s birth and are likely to continue to have care for no less than 13 weeks, or
- in the case of adoption the child must come into your care before two years of age. In the case of international adoptions, the child must have entered Australia before two years of age, or
- you have a stillborn child or a child who dies shortly after being born, and
- you were eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A (excluding the income test) within 13 weeks of the child’s birth or of the child being entrusted to your care, and
- where you are the natural parent, you have notified the Family Assistance Office within 26 weeks of the birth that you have registered the newborn with the state/territory registry of births. (This requirement does not apply to children born overseas, stillbirths or neo-natal deaths.)
Please note: to be paid Baby Bonus, you must claim through the Family Assistance Office within 26 weeks of the child’s birth or of the child being entrusted to your care.
You may get Baby Bonus for a child who is born or enters your care from 1 January 2009 if:
- you have a newborn baby or start caring for a newborn child within 26 weeks of the child’s birth and are likely to continue to have care for no less than 26 weeks, or
- in the case of adoption the child must come into your care before 16 years of age.
- you have a stillborn child or a child who dies shortly after being born.
- your family income for the six month period following the birth of your child is $75,000 or less.
- where you are the natural parent, you have notified the Family Assistance Office within 52 weeks of the birth that you have registered the newborn with the state/territory registry of births. (This requirement does not apply to children born overseas, stillbirths or neo-natal deaths.)
Please note: to be paid Baby Bonus, you must claim through the Family Assistance Office within 52 weeks of the child’s birth or of the child being entrusted to your care.
What Residence Requirements does Baby Bonus have?
To lodge a claim and qualify for Baby Bonus, you must be an Australian resident – this means you have been living in Australia on a permanent basis and you are either:
- an Australian citizen
- the holder of a permanent resident visa, or
- the holder of Special Category Visa – someone who arrived on a NZ passport, or
- the holder of a particular temporary visa – these are known as “spouse provisional” or “interdependency” or “temporary protection” visas.
Please note: changes to the Australian residence requirements do not affect New Zealand citizens who are living in Australia permanently and claiming this payment.
If you have recently arrived in Australia or are temporarily residing overseas you may need to provide evidence to support your intention to live in Australia permanently.
How do I claim Baby Bonus?
There are two ways that you can make a claim for Baby Bonus. You can make an online claim or lodge a claim form. Generally the form for Family Assistance is given to you by the hospital when your child is born. Alternatively, you can download and fill in claim forms.
How do I find out the Outcome of my Claim?
You will receive a letter from the Family Assistance Office telling you the outcome of your claim. If you are eligible, the letter will tell you how much you will get.
How much Baby Bonus do I get?
Baby Bonus is indexed in line with the consumer price index (CPI) in July each year.
This payment rate is effective from 1 January 2009.
Baby Bonus is a non-taxable payment made into a bank or credit union account and not through the tax system.
Baby Bonus is an income tested payment which is payable to families whose estimate of combined income is $75,000 or less in the 6 months following the birth of a child or the child’s entry into care.
| Status | Amount per fortnight |
|---|---|
| Per child | $384 (for 13 fortnights) |
- From 1 January 2009, the Baby Bonus of $5000 per eligible child will be paid in 13 fortnightly instalments of $384.00 each.
- If your child was born before 1 January 2009, and you are over 18 years old, you may be paid Baby Bonus as a single lump sum payment ($5,000).
- You may request a lump sum payment ($5,000) if your child has died or was stillborn.
- For multiple births, Baby Bonus is paid for each child. For example, twins attract 2 payments of Baby Bonus ($10,000) paid in fortnightly instalments of $768 each over 13 weeks.
Does Baby Bonus get Reviewed?
Entitlement of Baby Bonus can be reviewed to ensure correctness of payment. This may include reviewing your residence status at the time you claimed.
What should I do if my circumstances change?
If you are receiving payments from Centrelink and you have a change in your circumstances, for example, if you move house or your child leaves your care, you need to let the Family Assistance Office know.
If you do not notify the Family Assistance Office about changes to your circumstances, you may incur a debt. If you are overpaid, you will probably have to pay money back. If you deliberately do not tell the Family Assistance Office about changes, you could be charged with fraud.
