What is the baby bonus?

Introduction

You may be eligible to receive the baby bonus if, on or after 1 July 2001 and before 1 July 2004, you or your spouse had a baby or gained legal responsibility for a child under five years.

You can claim the bonus until the child turns five years old. The 2008-09 financial year is the last year for current year claims.

You have a legal responsibility for a child if:

• you are responsible (whether alone or with someone else) for the day-to-day care, welfare and development of the child, and
• you are their natural mother or natural father, or
• you have a court order giving you legal responsibility (for example, through adoption).

Note - Adoptive parent You may be entitled to claim from the date your adopted child came into your care rather than from the date you became legally responsible for the child. For more information, see Baby bonus - adoptive parents.