Having a Baby in Australia — Everything You Need to Do

Choose Your State

Before the Birth

1. Tell Centrelink you're expecting — claim Family Tax Benefit and Paid Parental Leave early to avoid delays
2. Check your health insurance — most policies have a 12-month waiting period for pregnancy. If you don't have hospital cover, you'll be treated as a public patient (free but no choice of doctor)
3. Arrange parental leave with your employer — you may be eligible for both employer-funded and government-funded Paid Parental Leave
4. Start a Medicare Safety Net — track your out-of-pocket medical costs. Once you hit the threshold, Medicare covers more

After the Birth

1. Register the birth — with NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages within 60 days. Registration is Free to register, $70 for certificate. Apply here
2. Get a birth certificate — you'll need this for everything. Apply at the same time as registration
3. Enrol your baby in Medicare — add them to your Medicare card through myGov or at a Services Australia office
4. Claim Paid Parental Leave — up to 22 weeks at minimum wage (from 1 July 2025). From 1 July 2025, super is paid on PPL too (12%)
5. Claim Family Tax Benefit — up to $222/fortnight per child (Part A) + up to $189/fortnight per family (Part B)
6. Claim Newborn Supplement — up to $1,907 for first child, $638 for subsequent children (if not receiving PPL)
7. Set up childcare — join waitlists early. Child Care Subsidy covers up to 90% of fees. 3-Day Guarantee from January 2026.
8. Update your will — add your child as a beneficiary and nominate guardians
9. Update super beneficiaries — your binding death benefit nomination should include your new child

Government Payments for New Parents

Birth Registration — NSW

Register your baby's birth with NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages within 60 days of the birth. The hospital usually gives you the forms. Registration is free — the birth certificate costs $70 for certificate.

Apply: https://www.nsw.gov.au/births-deaths-marriages