Before your baby arrives checklist

During pregnancy, Medicare may help pay for tests, scans and other support services. Find out what Medicare covers while you're pregnant on the Services Australia website.

You can claim Medicare benefits at your medical appointment. Or, claim using your Medicare online account through myGov.

If you haven’t linked Medicare, find out how to link Medicare to your myGov account.

There are other ways to make a Medicare claim on the Services Australia website.

You may get more money back from Medicare if you spend over a certain amount on medical costs for out-of-hospital services in a calendar year.

If you’re part of a family or couple, you can register as a family to combine your medical costs.

How to check if you’re in a Medicare Safety Net family

You can check if you’re already registered in a Medicare Safety Net family in your Medicare online account through myGov.

If you haven’t linked Medicare, find out how to link Medicare to your myGov account.

How to register or update your Medicare Safety Net family

You can find a registration and amendment form on the Services Australia website.

Find out more about Medicare Safety Nets on the Services Australia website.

Your pregnancy care (also called antenatal care) is usually linked to where you plan to give birth.

If you choose the public health system, Medicare will cover most or all of your pregnancy care and birth costs.

If you choose to give birth in the private health system, Medicare will cover part of the costs. Private health insurance may cover some or all of the costs.

Find out more about maternity care in Australia on the healthdirect website.

Public care in your state or territory

You can find out about antenatal care and birth options close to you on your state or territory website.

• ACT – Canberra maternity options
• NSW – Pregnancy care options in NSW
• NT – Pregnancy, birthing and child health in NT
• Qld – Birthing centres and midwives in Qld
• SA – Pregnancy in SA
• Tas – Options of care during your pregnancy in Tas
• Vic – Pregnancy and birth care options in Vic
• WA – Your maternity care options in WA

Tell your employer you’re having a baby at least 10 weeks before the baby's due date.

There are a range of workplace entitlements and protections available for pregnant employees. You may be able to apply for employer-provided parental leave. Find out more about your rights at work and parental leave on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

If you’re claiming Parental Leave Pay

You need to tell your employer if you claim Parental Leave Pay from Centrelink. If you’re eligible, they may need to pay it with your normal pay cycle.

Your employer can find out more about the Paid Parental Leave scheme for employers on the Services Australia website.

There may be long waiting lists in your area, so it’s best to plan early if you’re going to need child care services for your baby.

You can find child care services on the StartingBlocks website.

You may be able to get Child Care Subsidy to help with the cost of child care.

You need to have a specific car seat for your child to keep them safe. Check your state or territory website to find which type of car seat you need.

• ACT – Seatbelts in ACT
• NSW – Child car seats in NSW
• NT – Child car seats in NT
• Qld – Types of child restraints in Qld
• SA – Seatbelts and child restraints in SA
• Tas – Child restraints in Tas
• Vic – Child car seats and restraints in Vic
• WA – Seats and seatbelts in WA