Centrelink offers several payments for new parents, primarily Parental Leave Pay (up to 22 weeks at minimum wage for eligible workers) and the Newborn Upfront Payment and Supplement, which includes a lump sum plus ongoing payments for the first 13 weeks, with amounts depending on family income and number of children. Additionally, parents receive Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A, a fortnightly payment, and potentially FTB Part B, which helps with childcare costs and is income-tested.
Australia's $5,000 Baby Bonus ended on March 1, 2014, when the scheme was abolished and replaced by increased Family Tax Benefit payments for eligible families, though it had already been reduced to $3,000 for second and subsequent children from July 1, 2013. The bonus, introduced by the Howard government, provided a one-off payment for new babies, reaching $5,000 for first children before its final removal.
Maximum rate for FTB Part A for each (fortnightly payment):
$222.04 for a child 0 to 12 years. $288.82 for a child 13 to 15 years. $288.82 for a child 16 to 19 years who meets the study requirements $71.26 for a child 0 to 19 years in an approved care organisation.
Eligible children born from 2025 to 2028 may receive a $1,000 pilot deposit from the U.S. Treasury, and all eligible children may receive deposits from employers or major philanthropic contributors.
The amount you get depends on how many children you have and your family's income. For your first child, the maximum total amount you can receive is $2,052.05 for the 13 weeks. For subsequent children the maximum total amount is $685.23 for the 13 weeks.
Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement
To be eligible for a newborn payment of up to $667 (for each child) which is not taxable you must: have a baby or adopt a child; be eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A.
What can I claim when I have a child?
The bill, signed into law earlier this year, gives $1,000 to every newborn, so long as their parents open an account. That money is invested in the stock market by private firms, and the child can access the funds when they turn 18.
The Child Tax Credit is a federal income tax credit available to parents with qualifying children. For the 2025 tax year, it's worth up to $2,200 for each qualifying child (the credit amount is adjusted for inflation beginning with the 2026 tax year).
Child Benefit is a regular payment of money from the government to help with the cost of raising a child. Only one person can claim Child Benefit – and you can claim for every child you're responsible for.
For single mums in Australia, Centrelink's main payment is the Parenting Payment (Single), providing fortnightly support for primary carers of children under 14, with rates varying based on age of youngest child and meeting income/asset tests. Other potential payments include Family Tax Benefit (FTB) and help with childcare costs via the Child Care Subsidy, with claims made through a linked Centrelink online account and myGov.
If you're eligible you'll get £26.05 a week for your first child and £17.25 a week for any children after that. You can claim Child Benefit if: you're 'responsible for the child' the child is under 16 years old - or under 20 years old and still in full-time non-advanced education or training.
The $4,000 Centrelink payment isn't a direct cash payment but a one-time boost to the Work Bonus income bank for eligible pensioners (Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment) over Age Pension age, starting January 1, 2024, with an increased maximum balance of $11,800, allowing them to earn more without reducing their pension. You get this $4,000 starting credit automatically if you're a new claimant or haven't received a previous $4,000 boost, effectively giving you a $4,000 buffer to earn income before Centrelink reduces your pension.
The Cash Gift (CG) is disbursed every 6 months until your child turns 6.5 years old. You can use this amount to help manage early childhood expenses.
Parental Leave Pay helps eligible working parents to take time off to care for a newborn or recently adopted child. Family Tax Benefit (FTB) is a 2-part payment to help with the cost of raising children. If you claim FTB we'll also check you can get any of the following: a one-off lump sum of Newborn Upfront Payment.
If you're eligible for FTB, you might also get an annual bonus: FTB A Supplement - up to $938.05 per child. FTB B Supplement - up to $459.90 per family.
The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child. If you have little or no federal income tax liability, you may qualify for the Additional Child Tax Credit, up to $1,700 per qualifying child depending on your income. You must have earned income of at least $2,500 to be eligible for the ACTC.
You can claim Child Benefit 48 hours after you've registered the birth of your child, or once a child comes to live with you. Child Benefit can be backdated for up to 3 months from the date you make the claim. If you're making a new claim for a child over 16, check they're eligible.
If you have a baby, you may be eligible to get Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement. You must be both: eligible for Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A. registered or applied to register your child's birth, unless they were born overseas.
Trump Accounts jumpstart the American Dream.
Get $1,000 for every American child born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028. The account is fully in your child's name, and you are the sole custodian until they turn 18. No contributions necessary—but you can deposit up to $5,000 per year to maximize growth.
To receive this payment, you must: be caring for a newborn or newly adopted child. meet an income test. not be working on your Parental Leave Pay days, except for allowable reasons.
If you have twins, triplets, quadruplets or more, you may get Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement. If you have twins, triplets, quadruplets or more, you can get both: Newborn Upfront Payment, as a lump sum of $667 per child. Newborn Supplement, at a maximum rate of $2,003.82 per child.
How to Get Free Baby Stuff (15 Real Options)
Introduction. To boost efforts to encourage childbirth, the Government will provide a one-off cash allowance of $20,000 as financial incentive to eligible parents for each baby born on or after 25 October 2023 in Hong Kong. The initiative will be implemented for a period of three years.
Australia's Baby Bonus started in July 2004 as a $3,000 payment, but it increased to the $5,000 level on July 1, 2008, following earlier increases from $3,000 in 2004 to $4,000 in 2006 and then $5,000 in 2008. The payment, introduced by Treasurer Peter Costello, was a universal lump sum for new parents to help with costs and boost fertility.