Enrolling your newborn in Medicare and Centrelink
The forms to sort in the first weeks, and the order to do them in.
Register the birth
Every birth must be registered with your state or territory births, deaths and marriages registry, usually within 60 days. The hospital gives you the form or a link. You can then order a birth certificate.
The Newborn Child Declaration
Most hospitals give you a Newborn Child Declaration. Lodging it online through myGov lets you add your baby to Medicare and, if you choose, claim family payments such as Family Tax Benefit at the same time.
Medicare card
Once your baby is enrolled, they are added to your Medicare card, or you receive a new card. You need this for immunisations and GP visits.
Other steps
Add your baby to your private health cover if you have it, and consider updating your will and your superannuation beneficiaries.
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