The Centrelink newborn claim, start to finish

How the Newborn Child Declaration, Medicare and your payments all connect — and the order to do them in.

1. 1

   Get a myGov account and link Centrelink

   If you don't already have one, create a myGov account and link the Centrelink service. Do this before the birth if you can — it removes the biggest bottleneck later.

2. 2

   Start your payment claims early

   Parental Leave Pay and Family Tax Benefit claims can usually be started up to 3 months before your due date. Starting early means payments can begin sooner after the birth.

3. 3

   Get the Newborn Child Declaration at the hospital

   The hospital or midwife gives you a Parent Pack. Inside is the Newborn Child Declaration — it's the proof of birth Centrelink and Medicare need. Don't lose it; it's not the same as a birth certificate.

4. 4

   Submit the declaration and finish your claims

   Once baby arrives, check the doctor or midwife has signed the proof-of-birth section. Follow Centrelink's instructions to submit it, add baby's details and complete any outstanding claim tasks. This is not state birth registration, and payment still depends on approval.

5. 5

   Check baby appears on your Medicare card

   You can request Medicare enrolment when submitting a newborn claim through Centrelink, or enrol through Medicare using accepted proof of birth. Do not assume possessing or uploading the declaration completes everything: check your Medicare online account and confirm baby appears on your card.