Never indexed Not with PLP
Newborn Supplement and Newborn Upfront Payment
A payment for a new baby, paid as part of Family Tax Benefit Part A for up to 13 weeks - plus a one-off upfront amount with the first day. It is not paid at all if you receive Parental Leave Pay for the same child.
The rates
| Payment | Amount |
|---|---|
| Higher rate - first child, or each child in a multiple birth | $2,126 |
| Lower rate - each subsequent child | $710 |
| Newborn Upfront Payment - paid with the first day | $708 |
These amounts are not indexed. Unlike FTB rates, which move with the CPI, the Newborn Supplement rates have stayed at these figures - which means they are worth less every year in real terms.
Higher or lower rate?
The higher rate applies to:
- the first child born alive to the birth parent, and
- each child in a multiple birth - so twins attract the higher rate twice, not once.
The same logic runs through the entrusted-to-care and adoption categories: it is the first child, or each child in a multiple placement, that attracts the higher rate. Every other child gets the lower rate.
The trap: it is not paid with Parental Leave Pay
Newborn Supplement is not payable for a child if you receive Parental Leave Pay for that same child. The two are alternatives, not complements - and since PLP is now paid at the national minimum wage for a much longer period, it usually wins. But you have to know the rule rather than assume you will get both.
Newborn Supplement is also not a stand-alone payment: it is assessed as part of your Family Tax Benefit Part A claim. If you have not claimed FTB, there is nothing for the NBS to attach to.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Newborn Supplement?
The higher rate is $2,126 and the lower rate is $710, per child, plus a Newborn Upfront Payment of $708 paid with the first day of eligibility.
How long is it paid for?
Up to 91 days - 13 weeks - at the higher or lower rate depending on the child.
Do I get it if I also get Parental Leave Pay?
No. Newborn Supplement is not payable for a child if you receive PLP for that same child. They are alternatives.
Do I have to claim it separately?
No - entitlement is assessed as part of your Family Tax Benefit Part A claim. There is no separate form, but there also has to be an FTB claim in place.
Do the rates increase each year?
No. These amounts are not indexed, so their real value falls over time. That is different from FTB rates, which do move with the CPI.
Related
- Family Tax Benefit calculator - the payment NBS is paid with
- Parental Leave Pay - the alternative, and usually the better one
- Child Care Subsidy calculator
- All Centrelink payment rates
From the Department of Social Services - Family Assistance Guide, checked 12 October 2026. General information only - not tax advice.