What help there is when a child dies

The death of a child is one of the toughest experiences you could go through. We have financial support and services to help you during this difficult time.

We have information in different languages about What help there is when a child dies

For help with Medicare, you can call the Medicare program line. Let us know if you need an interpreter and we'll arrange one for free.

If your child has died, the payment you can get depends on all of the following:

  • your family’s circumstances
  • if you were getting a payment before their death
  • when you tell us about their death.

When you tell us about their death, we’ll work out how much and for how long we can pay you. Some payments are lump sums and others are paid over a number of weeks. For some payments you can choose either option.

Call the Child Bereavement and Double Orphan Pension Helpdesk so we can help you.

There are also support services available.

Payments you may get

The payment you get depends on your situation and whether you and your family meet the criteria.

Family Tax Benefit

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) bereavement payment can be paid for up to 14 weeks after your child has died. You can get it as either:

The amount and period we can pay you depends on both of the following:

  • your family’s income
  • the age of each child in your family.

You may get Newborn Supplement with your FTB bereavement payment. If you got Newborn Supplement you may get a top-up if both of the following happened:

Double Orphan Pension

If you are paid Double Orphan Pension for a child that dies, you can get up to 14 weeks of Double Orphan Pension. You can get this in addition to the FTB bereavement payment. You can choose to get both of these payments as either:

  • a lump sum
  • a fortnightly payment.

If you don’t get FTB you can get 4 weeks of Double Orphan Pension from the date the child died.

Parenting Payment

If you’re single and your only qualifying child dies, you can continue to get Parenting Payment for up to 14 weeks after the child’s death.

If you need ongoing income support, you’ll need to claim another payment at the end of the 14 weeks. You can use the Payment Finder to see what payments you may be eligible for.

JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance

If you’re a single principal carer and your only qualifying child has died, you’ll keep the higher rate of payment and concessions. You’ll keep these for 14 weeks after your child’s death. This applies if you meet these rules and you get either:

We’ll also reduce your mutual obligation requirements for up to 14 weeks after your child’s death.

Carer Allowance

If you’re getting Carer Allowance for an FTB eligible child who dies, you may get a lump sum bereavement payment. We’ll pay up to 14 weeks of Carer Allowance from the date of their death as a lump sum.

Carer Payment

If you’re getting Carer Payment for a child who dies, you may continue to get this payment for up to 14 weeks after the child’s death. This is to give you time to apply for another income support payment, if required.

You will also get a lump sum bereavement payment. You’ll also be able to use your concession card for up to 14 weeks after their death.

Payments if your baby was stillborn

If your baby was stillborn your family may get one of the following payments:

  • Parental Leave Pay for up to 20 weeks or 22 weeks depending on whether your baby was born before or after 1 July 2024
  • Stillborn Baby Payment as a lump sum.

Time limits apply to claim these payments. You must submit your claim within 52 weeks from their date of delivery.

Find out more to help you decide between Parental Leave Pay and Stillborn Baby Payment.

Payments if your baby died soon after birth

There are payments your family may be eligible for if your baby died shortly after birth, also known as neonatal death. Depending on your circumstances, the payments you may get are:

You can get both Parental Leave Pay and FTB if you’re eligible. If you’re not eligible for Parental Leave Pay, you can get the Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement with FTB. Time limits apply to claim these payments. You must submit your claim within 52 weeks from their date of delivery.

You’ll get Parenting Payment if you’re eligible or already getting it. If you get Parenting Payment for another child, you’ll continue to get it after the 14 weeks as long as you’re still eligible.

Medicare, concession and Health Care cards

If your child dies, we won’t issue you a new Medicare card, concession card or Health Care Card. The details will stay the same on your card until your current card expires.

If you’d like a new card without your child’s name on it, you need to ask us for one. To get a new:

  • Medicare card, call the Medicare general enquiries line and ask for one
  • concession card or Health Care Card, request a replacement card through your Centrelink online account.

Contact numbers available on this page.

Centrelink families line

Use this line if you need help with family payments, such as Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Subsidy or Parental Leave Pay.

136 150
Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm

If your child’s Youth Allowance payment has been suspended, it may be because we still need information about your income. We may have sent your child a letter asking for this in September or October, read how you can update your income details online.

Medicare program

Use this line if you need help with a claim, enrolments, ordering a new card or have a Medicare general enquiry. Let us know if you need an interpreter and we’ll arrange one for free.

132 011
7 days a week 24 hours a day

There are other ways you may want to contact us.

Page last updated: 12 December 2024.
QC 60114