Maternity Payment is a one off payment to help with the extra costs of a new baby. Babies must be born or adopted on or after 1 July 2004.

You may get Maternity Payment if:

* you have a newborn child or have care of a newborn child born on or after 1 July 2004
* you have a newborn child or have care of a newborn child (born on or after 1 July 2004) within 13 weeks of the child's birth and are likely to continue to have care for no less than 13 weeks, or
* a child born on or after 1 July 2004 has been entrusted to your care for adoption before 2 years of age, or
* you have a stillborn child or a child who dies shortly after being born (for a child born on or after 1 July 2004), and
* you were eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A (excluding the income test) within 13 weeks of the child's birth (born on or after 1 July 2004) or of the child being entrusted to your care.

Important: To be paid Maternity Payment, you must claim through the Family Assistance Office within 26 weeks of the child's birth or of the child being entrusted to your care. In the case of an overseas adoption you must claim within 26 weeks of the child entering Australia. You cannot get this payment through the tax system.

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/inte...s/maternity.htm


How much Maternity Payment do I get?

Lump Sum Payment Amount $4,000.00 Per child

Note: For multiple births, maternity payment is paid for each child. For example, twins attract two payments of Maternity Payment ($8000).

This payment rate is effective from 1 July 2006 and is only paid for babies born or adopted on or after 1 July 2004.

Maternity Payment is paid as a non-taxable lump sum payment. Payment is made into a bank or credit union account and not through the tax system.

This payment is not subject to an income or Asset test.

Maternity Payment is indexed in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in March and September each year.