Payments
Payment rates
These payment rates of Baby Bonus are effective from 1 January 2012.
- You can be paid $5,437 per eligible child in 13 fortnightly instalments. You will receive a higher first instalment of $879.77 and 12 fortnightly instalments of approximately $379.77, or
- if your baby has died or was stillborn, you may ask for your Baby Bonus to be paid in a lump sum instead of fortnightly instalments.
- Baby Bonus is an income tested payment.
Baby Bonus is not taxable.
You are paid Baby Bonus for each child - for example, if you have twins you can get two Baby Bonus payments. If you are eligible for Parental Leave Pay, you may choose to get Baby Bonus for one child and Parental Leave Pay for the other.
Payment adjustments and reviews
Baby Bonus is adjusted on 1 July each year in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Baby Bonus may be reviewed to ensure you are paid correctly. This may include your residence status at the time you claimed, or if the child leaves your care.