To be eligible for payments, a stillbirth needs to meet the prescribed definition. A stillborn baby is one who had not breathed since delivery and had no heartbeat after birth. To be considered stillborn, a baby also had to have a gestation period of at least 20 weeks or weighed at least 400 grams at their birth.
The Stillborn Baby Payment is currently $3,766.14. This payment is:
- a one-off lump sum
- tax free.
It can be part of Income Management; a way to help you manage your money to meet essential household needs and expenses. If you have multiple births, you’ll get either:
- $3,766.14 for each stillborn baby OR
- Parental Leave Pay for one and Stillborn Baby Payment of $3,766.14 for others.
The Stillborn Baby Payment Income limit for you and your partner must be $67,161.00 or less for 6 months from the day of the child’s delivery.
You may be able to get this payment if all of the following apply:
- you recently had a baby who was stillborn
- you or your partner would have been the baby’s main carer
- you don’t get Parental Leave Pay for the same baby
- you meet the residence rules about living in Australia
- you meet an income test.
NB. You can’t get Stillborn Baby Payment and Parental Leave Pay for the same baby. But, your family may be able to get Stillborn Baby Payment and Dad and Partner Pay for the same baby.