Changes to the Maternity Immunisation Allowance from 1 January 2009
Maternity Immunisation Allowance (MIA) is a non-income tested payment of $245.50 to encourage parents to immunise their children and is indexed in March and September each year. On 1 January 2009 changes to MIA came into effect. These changes:
- Affect the way MIA is paid
- Extend Eligibility for overseas adopted children
MIA Split Payment
From 1 January 2009, MIA is paid as two separate amounts to most parents. This applies to all claims that are granted on or after 1 January 2009, including where your claim has been lodged prior to 1 January.Under this change, the first amount is paid if your child is immunised between 18-24 months of age (as of 20 March 2009, this amount is $122.75). You will need to lodge your claim on or before your child's second birthday to receive this amount.
The second amount will be paid if your child is immunised between 4 and 5 years of age and you will need to lodge your claim on or before your child's fifth birthday to receive the second amount. As MIA is indexed between the first and second amounts, the second amount may be slightly more than $122.75.
Separating payment of MIA in this way aims to encourage parents to have their four year old children appropriately immunised before they start school.
If you are eligible for MIA and are granted payment prior to 1 January 2009, you will be paid your full entitlement as one single amount.
MIA will remain a non-income tested payment.
Children Adopted From Overseas
From 1 January 2009, parents are able to claim MIA for children they adopt from overseas who enter Australia before their 16th birthday and meet Australian immunisation requirements. You will need to claim on or before your child's fifth birthday or within 2 years of their arrival in Australia (whichever is later). You may need to provide a letter from a general practitioner or immunisation provider certifying that your child is up to date with their immunisation.If your child arrives in Australia on or before their third birthday, MIA will still generally be paid as two separate amounts. If your child arrives in Australia after their third birthday, MIA is payable as a single amount if your child is immunised between 18 months and two years after arrival.
This change aims to provide an incentive for families to ensure that children adopted from overseas are appropriately immunised to Australian standards within a reasonable timeframe. It will be accessible to parents for adopted children who have entered Australia under the age of 16 years from 1 July 2006.
More Information
Contact us for more information about these changes.[ Top ]