Baby Bonus
Baby Bonus is paid to families following the birth (including stillborn babies) or adoption of a baby. It recognises the extra costs incurred at the time of a new birth or adoption of a baby and is not income tested.Note: This payment replaced the Maternity Allowance and Baby Bonus (administered by the Australian Taxation Office) from 1 July 2004.
Can I get Baby Bonus?
To be eligible for Baby Bonus you must:- be the parent of a dependent child; or
- be a carer other than the parent of a newborn child within 13 weeks of the child's birth and be likely to continue to have the care of the child for no less than 13 weeks; or
- in the case of adoption the child must have come into your care before the child is two years of age. In the case of overseas adoptions the child must have entered Australia before their second birthday; and
- meet Australian residency requirements for family assistance purposes
Parents are required to formally register the birth of their child as a condition of receiving the Baby Bonus for births on or after 1 July 2007. This requirement does not apply to parents whose child is stillborn, adopted or born outside Australia.
How much can I get?
Baby Bonus is a one-off payment of $5,000 for each child and is usually paid as a lump sum. For claimants aged 17 years or under, the Baby Bonus is paid in 13 equal fortnightly instalments.Baby Bonus is payable for each child in a multiple birth. If there is a change in care during the 13 weeks eligibility period, the payment may be apportioned between two carers.
Note: Baby Bonus is indexed in July of each year. Baby Bonus is not taxable income and it is not considered income for Family Assistance or Social Security purposes.
How do I apply?
Your claim must be lodged within 26 weeks of the child's birth or, in the case of adoption in Australia, within 26 weeks of the adopted child coming into the adopting parents' care. For overseas adoptions the claim must be lodged within 26 weeks of the child's arrival in Australia where the arrival is part of the adoption process, or within 26 weeks of the child coming into the adopting parents' care where the child does not arrive in Australia as part of the adoption process.Claims for new babies can be lodged online
or
Contact us to request a claim form if you were not issued with a form at the time of birth.
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