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.
Please Note: This payment replaced the Maternity Allowance and Baby Bonus (administered by the Australian Taxation Office) from 1 July 2004.
How much is the Baby Bonus?
Baby Bonus is paid in 13 equal fortnightly instalments. Baby Bonus is payable for each child in a multiple birth.
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 income 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 parent of a dependent child; or
- be a carer other than the parent of a newborn child within 26 weeks of the child's birth and be likely to continue to have the care of the child for no less than 26 weeks; or
- in the case of adoption the child must have come into your care before the child is sixteen years of age; and
- 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 the child entered into your care; and
- meet Australian residency requirements for family assistance purposes.
*Note: This income limit will next be subject to indexation on 1 July 2012
Budget announcement for Changes to family assistance
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 do I get the Baby Bonus?
Your claim must be lodged within 52 weeks of the child's birth or, in the case of adoption, within 52 weeks of the adopted child coming into the adopting parent's care.
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.