In 2025, the Centrelink Newborn Payment seeks to lessen the challenges of early parenthood by assisting new families. The payment for first-time parents, considering the Newborn Supplement, goes beyond the more recognized payment of $683 to a total of $2,735. This piece considers eligibility, the simplified process of applying, payment breakdowns, and the most frequent questions posed by new families in Australia.
What is the Centrelink Newborn Payment of $298?
In 2025, parents with newborns will receive Newborn Centrelink Payments with the Newborn Supplement of $2,735 for first-born children and $1,368 for children born after the first. This includes a $683 upfront payment, which is non-taxable, and a payment of $2,052.05 over 13 weeks. The Waiting period for the Newborn Payment is 13 weeks. $298 is the most common payment adjusted for the parent’s circumstances, and is received as a Supplement during the 13-week payment period.
Who Can Apply? Key Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must be an Australian resident responsible for the infant’s daily care to be eligible for the Newborn Payment. Eligibility follows the Family Tax Benefit Part A, and the applicants must not already be receiving Parental Leave Pay for the same child. Natural and adoptive parents are both eligible as long as the residency, care, and income criteria are met. If one partner has claimed the payment, the other partner cannot claim it for the same child. Foster and care organizations do not qualify.
How to Apply: Application and Form Data
The Newborn Payment claims are handled as part of the FTB claim process, so no separate application is required. Families can start the FTB claim process up to three months before the expected birth or adoption by signing into their myGov account linked to Centrelink. Documentary proof of the birth or adoption, residency claim, and income will be required. Once the claim is submitted, Centrelink will determine eligibility and order the payment.
Payment Structure Breakdown
Newborn Payment consists of an upfront portion and a supplement paid over 13 weeks. For a first child, the combined payment is $2,735: $683 is paid upfront and $2,052.05 is the supplement. For subsequent children, the payment lowers to a total of $1,368.23. Payments are not taxed and are paid directly to the family’s nominated account which helps with the immediate purchase of newborn essentials like nappies and formula.
Tips to Ensure Successful Claims
Make sure to apply within 3 months of the birth or adoption and all information should be correct to improve the chances of approval. Please verify the myGov and Centrelink accounts for any linked accounts, submitted documents for completeness, and check for notifications or information requests. You should apply for each child individually if you have multiple births or adoptions.
FAQs
Q1: Can both parents apply for the newborn payment?
No, each child will have the payment assigned to only one parent.
Q2: Is the newborn payment taxable?
All the payments and supplements have no tax liability.
Q3: Do adoptive parents qualify?
Yes, they can qualify like all other parents if they meet the required criteria.
