Claiming Baby Bonus
Conditions for claiming
You can submit your claim for Baby Bonus from three months before your child’s expected date of birth or adoption.
You must lodge your claim for Baby Bonus with us no later than 52 weeks (364 days) from the day after the birth of the child or, in the case of adoption, no later than 52 weeks (364 days) from the day after the date the child came into your care as part of the adoption process.
The timeframe to lodge your Baby Bonus claim may be extended if:
- you are unable to claim due to severe illness associated with the child’s birth
- your claim for Parental Leave Pay has been rejected, or
- the originally eligible person (that is, the child’s primary carer) for Baby Bonus dies and subsequently you become eligible for Baby Bonus, and you could not lodge your claim for Baby Bonus in time
Claiming options
You can submit your claim for Baby Bonus online or with a paper form.
Online
Our online services are a secure, convenient and easy way to start a claim for Baby Bonus. Once you have completed your claim online, bring the supporting documents requested on the claim form to a service centre within 14 days.
If you already have a Centrelink Online Services account
You can log on to Centrelink Online Services using your Customer Reference Number (CAN) and password. Select ‘Apply for a Payment’ then ‘Make a Claim’ from the menu to start your claim.
If you do not have a Centrelink Online Services account
If you have a Customer Reference Number (CRN) then you can complete your registration now.
If you do not have a CRN you will receive a Customer Access Number (CAN) to get your started.
Paper claim
You can submit your claim by completing the Claim for Paid Parental Leave and Family Assistance form and lodging it, along with any requested supporting documents, by post or at a service centre.
If you do not have access to a printer, you can pick up the form from your nearest service centre or call us on 136 150 and we will send a claim form to you.
Provide proof of birth or adoption
When your baby is born or adopted, you need to give us proof of birth or adoption as soon as possible so we can finalise your claim and pay you.
The easiest way to give us proof of birth is to lodge the Newborn Child Claim for Paid Parental Leave, Family Assistance and Medicare form you will get in hospital or from your midwife after the birth. Make sure it is stamped or signed by hospital staff. You can use this same form to register your child with Medicare. We will also accept a birth certificate or adoption papers.
You also need to register, or apply to register, the birth of your child. To find out how, refer to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry in your state or territory.
Claim outcome
We will inform you of the outcome of your claim.
You always have the right to appeal any decision we make. Read more about reviews and appeals.