1.2.18 Newborn supplement (NBS) - description

Summary

This section includes information on:

• NBS objectives
• NBS and NBU eligibility
• claiming NBS and NBU
• birth registration
• NBS and NBU rate, and
• how NBS and NBU are paid.

NBS objectives

The NBS, which is an add-on component of FTB Part A, is included in the FTB Part A rate for eligible individuals for a period of up to 13 weeks (or 91 days) to assist with the upfront costs of a newborn child, a child aged under one year who becomes entrusted (1.1.B.17) to the individual's care, or a child who becomes entrusted to the individual's care as part of an adoption process. The NBS provides assistance to those families not eligible for PLP (PPL Guide 2).

NBU eligibility

If an individual is eligible for at least one day of NBS and is not excluded under the legislative instrument, NBU is also paid. An individual is not eligible for NBU for a child if they or their partner have previously received NBU in relation to that child. See 2.2.3 for further detail on NBU eligibility criteria.

NBS eligibility

An individual may be eligible for NBS for a day where the individual meets FTB eligibility criteria (2.2.1) for an FTB child born or entrusted to care as part of an adoption process, and meets additional conditions under one of the following 3 categories:

• parent of a child
• child entrusted to care of an individual or their partner, or
• adoption.

The rules for ensuring that individuals cannot receive a duplicate payment of NBS or NBU for a child are described in the legislative instrument.

See 2.2.3 for further detail on NBS and NBU eligibility criteria.

Claiming NBS & NBU

Eligibility for NBS and NBU is assessed as part of an individual's FTB claim (4.2). A separate claim is not required for NBS or NBU.

Where an individual has claimed FTB for a child and they or their partner have either claimed or expressed an intention to claim PLP for that child and it is determined that the individual is eligible for FTB but the PLP claim has not been made or determined, the FTB claim may be paid without the inclusion of NBS or NBU. If it is later determined that PLP is not payable for that child or the individual indicates that there is no longer an intention to claim PLP, the individual's eligibility for NBS and NBU will be assessed.

Birth registration

Where an individual or their partner is a parent of the child and are responsible for registering the birth of the child in accordance with a relevant state or territory law, the NBS birth registration requirement must also be met.

See 2.2.3 for further details on the birth registration requirements for NBS.

NBS & NBU rate

The NBS is an add-on component of the individual's FTB Part A rate for a period of 13 weeks (91 days). For more information on FTB Part A rates see 3.1.1.20.

In addition, where an individual is eligible for NBS for one day and is not excluded under the legislative instrument (see 2.2.3 for further detail on NBS and NBU eligibility criteria), NBU is payable in respect of the first day of NBS eligibility. The NBU is a separate amount to the NBS and is not included in calculating an eligible individual's FTB Part A rate.

For more information on NBS and NBU rates see 3.11.

NBS and NBU are also indexed annually. For more information on the indexation of NBS and NBU, see 3.1.1.60.

How NBS & NBU are paid

NBS is paid as part of an individual's regular FTB Part A payment for a period of up to 13 weeks (91 days). NBU is paid as a single lump sum in respect of the first day of NBS eligibility.

NBS and NBU may also be paid as part of an individual's past period claim for FTB (1.1.P.60).