$948 Newborn Benefit from Centrelink: When You’ll Receive It & How to Apply

What Is the $948 Centrelink Payment?

From 1 July 2025, the Australian government has raised the Paid Parental Leave (PLP) weekly rate to $948.10 (before tax) for primary carers of newborns or newly adopted children.

This means that eligible parents can receive up to 24 weeks of parental leave pay at this higher rate for children born or adopted on or after that date.

In addition, from 1 July 2025, superannuation contributions (12%) will also be made on the PLP for eligible recipients.

So while many parents refer colloquially to “the $948 newborn payment,” it’s really an enhanced parental leave benefit, not a one‑time baby bonus.

Key Changes Starting 1 July 2025

Here are the important updates that apply from 1 July 2025 onwards:

• Weekly PLP rate: Increased to $948.10 before tax
• Duration: Up to 24 weeks for children born/adopted on or after 1 July 2025
• Reserved Pay Rate: Rules still apply for partners and flexibility based on work status
• Superannuation on PLP: A 12% automatic super contribution added for eligible recipients

These reforms aim to support parents not only during leave but also to reduce the superannuation gap, especially for women who are more likely to take time off for caregiving.

Who Is Eligible for the $948 Parental Leave Pay?

To receive this benefit, you must satisfy a series of eligibility criteria.

Basic Requirements

You must:

1. Be the primary carer of a child (birth, adoption, or surrogacy).
2. Meet the work test: You must have worked for at least 10 of the 13 months before the birth or adoption, and at least 330 hours over that period (about 1 day per week on average).
3. Meet the residency test: You must be an Australian resident or hold an eligible visa and care for the child in Australia.
4. Submit proof of the child’s birth or adoption (e.g. Newborn Child Declaration, birth certificate, or certified medical evidence).
5. Not be working on the days you claim PLP. The payment only applies for days you are not working.

You cannot receive PLP for days when you are employed or receiving other types of leave payments.

Reserved Pay Days and Time Limits

• Certain reserved days must be used by a partner or shared if the partner is working.
• You must claim PLP within 12 months of the child’s birth or adoption. If you claim later, payments may only begin from the date of claim.

Pre-birth Claim Option

You can lodge a pre-birth claim up to three months before the expected due date. Payments will only begin after the child is born and proof is submitted.

How to Apply for the $948 PLP Payment

Here’s how to apply step-by-step:

1. Set up a MyGov / Centrelink account
   Link your MyGov to Centrelink if not already done.
2. Pre-birth claim (optional)
   Lodge a claim up to 3 months before the due date. It will remain pending until proof of birth is submitted.
3. Obtain and submit proof of birth
   Use the Newborn Child Declaration form or supply alternate evidence like a birth certificate or medical statement.
4. Submit documents
   Upload necessary documents, including proof of identity, residency, and your work history.
5. Coordinate with your employer
   Give your employer advance notice (usually 10 weeks) so they can help coordinate leave and payment processing.
6. Respect application deadlines
   • Primary carers must claim within 12 months of the birth/adoption.
   • In some cases, secondary carers (e.g., partners) can claim within 2 years.
7. Wait for assessment and approval
   Once submitted, your claim will be reviewed. If approved, you’ll begin receiving $948.10 per eligible week.

Processing times can vary. Some people report waiting several weeks to months depending on demand and document accuracy.

When and How You’ll Receive the Payment

Timing and Backdating

• Payments are made via weekly bank deposits, but only for days when you’re not working.
• If you submit your claim within 4 weeks of birth/adoption, payments can usually be backdated to the child’s birth date.
• If you delay longer than 4 weeks, payment will generally start from the date of claim.
• If you filed a pre-birth claim, finalising it with birth proof will trigger payments from the eligible date.

Payment and Super Contributions

• The new rate is $948.10 before tax, paid weekly for each non-working week.
• A 12% superannuation contribution will also be made by the government based on the total Parental Leave Pay received.
• This super contribution is deposited to your super fund after the end of the financial year.

Over a full 24-week period, the super amount can total approximately $2,637, though it may vary depending on your personal situation.

Days Covered

• PLP is only paid for days you’re not working.
• If you work some days in a week, you’ll receive PLP only for the days you do not work.
• The maximum entitlement for children born or adopted from 1 July 2025 is 24 weeks.

For children born before that date, the duration may vary (e.g. 18 weeks or 110 days).

Common Issues, Pitfalls & Tips

Delays and Processing

Some applicants report delays of 2 to 4 months. The most common reasons include:

• Incomplete or incorrect documents
• Inaccurate work history
• Delayed proof of birth submission

Backdating Limitations

To get payments from the child’s birth date, you must submit your claim within 4 weeks. If you apply late, you may miss out on weeks of payment.

Work Test or Income Issues

Some claims are rejected due to:

• Not meeting the required 330 hours of work
• Gaps in employment
• Not submitting full proof of work or income

Always keep accurate records of your employment history and ensure documents are up-to-date.

Conflicting Payments

You cannot receive PLP and the Newborn Upfront Payment/Newborn Supplement for the same child. Choose the payment best suited to your needs.

Also, make sure to notify Centrelink of any changes in income or employment to avoid overpayments or debts.

Using the Right Forms and Steps

• Always use the Newborn Child Declaration (FA081) for proof of birth.
• Use the “Add newborn child” feature on the Centrelink app or website to link your child to your family assistance and Medicare.

Example Scenario

Alice and Bob have a baby on 10 August 2025. Alice:

• Meets the work test
• Is an Australian resident
• Submits a pre-birth claim in May
• Provides proof of birth within 2 weeks

She qualifies for $948.10 per non-working week for 24 weeks. A 12% super contribution is added to her super account after the financial year. Because she submitted everything on time, payments are backdated to her child’s birth date.

This setup gives her steady income support during her time off work and boosts her long-term super savings.

Summary & What to Do Next

• The $948 payment is not a lump sum baby bonus, but the updated weekly rate of Parental Leave Pay starting 1 July 2025.
• Eligible parents can receive up to 24 weeks of payments, only for days they are not working.
• A new 12% superannuation contribution will also apply from this date.
• Ensure you meet the work, residency, and primary carer criteria.
• Lodge your claim within 4 weeks of birth to be eligible for full backdated payments.
• You can apply up to 3 months before your due date through MyGov.
• Keep records, communicate with your employer, and monitor your claim to avoid delays.

This benefit is designed to give parents the financial breathing room to care for a new child while also supporting their long-term financial security.

FAQs