As your baby grows checklist
You need to tell Services Australia if your circumstances change. If you don’t, you may get a debt you’ll have to pay back.
Go to the Services Australia website to find out what to do if you get:
If you get another payment, find out how to change your circumstances with Centrelink on the Services Australia website.
Find child care
If you need child care for your baby, you can find child care services on the StartingBlocks website.
Apply for Child Care Subsidy
You may be able to get Child Care Subsidy to help with the cost of child care.
Find out who can get it and how to claim on the Services Australia website.
Get your child’s immunisation history statement
You may need an immunisation history statement to enrol in child care and get Child Care Subsidy.
You can get it in your Medicare online account through myGov.
If you haven’t linked Medicare, find out how to link Medicare to your myGov account.
Find other ways to get proof of vaccinations.
It’s encouraged to take your child to a Maternal Child Health Nurse or GP regularly during their early years.
Find out more on your state or territory website.
- ACT – MACH booked appointments and child health checks in ACT
- NSW – Child and family health services in NSW
- NT – Baby and child screening and assessment clinics in NT
- Qld – Health checks in Qld
- SA – Health and Development Checks in SA
- Tas – Child Health and Parenting Service in Tas
- Vic – Maternal and Child Health services in Vic
- WA – Child Health appointments in WA
If there are concerns about your child’s development
You may be able to get support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The NDIS early childhood approach helps children younger than 6 with developmental delay. You don’t need a diagnosis and it can help you access the right support for your child.
Find out more about the early childhood approach on the NDIS website.
You can get free vaccinations for children aged 0-4 years from your Maternal Child Health Nurse or GP.
Find out about immunisation for children, including what vaccinations they need and when, on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
If you get Family Tax Benefit or Child Care Subsidy
Your child must meet immunisation requirements, or your payment will be affected.
Find out about immunisation requirements on the Services Australia website.
There’s support available if you’re returning to a job after having a baby or taking parental leave.
Find out about returning to work after parental leave.