Birth & Hospital

How will you give birth??Your hospital option depends on your Medicare status. Public with Medicare is free; without Medicare, costs can be significant.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →Learn more about Medicare →If you have Medicare, having a baby in a public hospital is free. Without Medicare, hospital bills can be very high.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →Learn more about Medicare →

Expected birth type?Caesarean births cost more due to surgery and longer hospital stays. About 1 in 3 Australian births are caesarean.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →A caesarean (C-section) is when the baby is delivered by surgery. It costs more because you stay in hospital longer. About 1 in 3 births in Australia are caesareans.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →

Lost Income

Your weekly income (before tax)?Your gross weekly income before tax. Used to estimate lost income during your time off work.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →How much you earn each week before tax. We use this to estimate how much money you'll miss out on while you're on leave.Learn more →

Weeks off work?How many weeks you plan to take off after the birth. The average in Australia is 20-26 weeks for the birth parent.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →How long will you take off work after the baby? Most people in Australia take about 5-6 months off.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →

Employer paid parental leave? (weeks)?Some employers offer paid parental leave on top of the government's Parental Leave Pay. Check with your HR department.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →Your workplace might give you paid time off for having a baby, on top of what the government pays. Ask your boss or HR.Learn more →

Baby Gear & Essentials

Nursery setup (cot, pram, car seat)?One-time costs for essential baby gear like a cot, pram, and car seat. Buying second-hand can save thousands.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →Stuff you need to buy once, like a crib, stroller, and car seat. Buying used items can save you a lot of money.Learn more →

Ongoing Monthly Costs

Nappies & wipes ($/month)?Disposable nappies cost about $100-150 per month. Cloth nappies have a higher upfront cost but save money long-term.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →Disposable nappies (diapers) cost about $100-150/month. Reusable cloth ones cost more upfront but save money over time.Learn more →

Formula ($/month, $0 if breastfeeding)?Formula costs around $100-200 per month. Enter $0 if you plan to exclusively breastfeed.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →Baby formula costs $100-200 a month. If you plan to only breastfeed, put $0 here.Learn more →

Baby clothes & misc ($/month)?Monthly spending on baby clothes, toys, and other miscellaneous items. Babies grow fast so second-hand is common.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →How much you'll spend each month on clothes, toys, and other baby bits. Babies outgrow things quickly, so second-hand is popular.Learn more →

Health/medical ($/month)?Monthly health costs including check-ups, vaccinations (some free with Medicare), and any medications.Learn more about Medicare →Monthly doctor visits and health costs for your baby. Many vaccinations are free with Medicare.Learn more about Medicare →

Centrelink Payments You'll Receive

FTB Part A ($/fortnight)?Family Tax Benefit Part A is a payment per child based on family income. Most families with children under 16 receive it.Learn more about 309 visa payments →Learn more about 820 visa payments →This is money the government gives you for each child, based on how much your family earns. Most families with kids get it.Learn more about 309 visa payments →Learn more about 820 visa payments →

FTB Part B ($/fortnight)?Family Tax Benefit Part B is an extra payment for single parents or families where one parent earns under ~$106k.Learn more about 309 visa payments →Learn more about 820 visa payments →Extra money for single parents, or families where one parent earns less. Think of it as a bonus on top of Part A.Learn more about 309 visa payments →Learn more about 820 visa payments →

Getting Parental Leave Pay??Government-funded Parental Leave Pay is $882.75/week for 20 weeks. You need to meet the work test to qualify.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →The government pays you about $883 per week for 20 weeks when you have a baby. You need to have worked enough hours to qualify.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →

First child??First-time parents receive a higher Newborn Supplement ($2,003) compared to subsequent children ($669).Learn more about having a baby on a visa →If this is your first baby, you get about $2,000 as a bonus. For your second baby onwards, it's about $669.Learn more about having a baby on a visa →

Cost of Having a Baby in Australia

Your First-Year Baby Budget

Not sure about your Centrelink amounts?

Other useful family tools

Cost of Having a Baby in Australia

Your First-Year Baby Budget

Not sure about your Centrelink amounts?

Other useful family tools

Child Care Cost Calculator Australia 2025-26 - CCS Subsidy Estimator

School Comparison Tool - Public vs Catholic vs Independent Schools in Australia

School Finder Australia - Find Public Schools Near You