2012 Australian Baby Bonus News Site.

Baby Bonus What is the Baby Bonus?

Baby Bonus is paid to customers 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.
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 primary care as part of the adoption process before the child is sixteen years of age
• not have received or be receiving Parental Leave Pay[1] for the child
• have adjusted taxable income[2] of less than or equal to $75,000* for the period in the six months following the child’s entry into your primary care, and
• meet Australian residency requirements[3] for family assistance purposes.

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 fortnightly instalments. From 1 July 2011, customers eligible to receive Baby Bonus will get a higher first instalment of $879.77 and 12 fortnightly instalments of approximately $379.77. The higher first instalment of Baby Bonus will assist with the upfront costs of having a new child.
You cannot receive Parental Leave Pay[1] 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[4] 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 primary 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[5].
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[6] 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.
• Call the Indigenous Call Centre on 13 6380,
• Call 13 1202 for information in languages other than English, or
• Visit the nearest Family Assistance Office[7] located in all Centrelink Customer Service Centres and Medicare offices.