FYI - Maternity Payment $ Increase

[MilkOnTap]

I haven't seen a thread about this, so I dont know if its been covered yet or not - but I just found out the other day that as of July 1 this year the Maternity payment will increase to $4k.

Here is the LINK (http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/pay_how_maty.htm) to the gov't Centrelink website..

[Lunar]

Yes I have known this for a while now.
I think it is to increase next year by another thousand on july 1 too.
That is what I have heard.
I wouldn't care if we got nothing, it's the baby we want not the money.:thumbsup:

[Oscar's mum]

I don't think that the payment increases next year but the year after which is 2008!;)

[brizbabe]

Taken from the Centrelink website

Maternity Payment is indexed in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in March and September each year.

This payment rate is effective from 1 January 2006 and is only paid for babies born or adopted on or after July 1 2004. Maternity Payment is paid as a non-taxable lump sum payment. Payment is made into a bank or credit union account and not through the tax system.

* This payment is not subject to an income test.
* This payment is not subject to an assets test.

Status Lump Sum Payment Amount
Per child $3119.00

Note:For multiple births, maternity payment is paid for each child. For example, twins attract two payments of Maternity Payment ($6238).

As announced in the May 2004 Budget Maternity Payment will increase:

* from 1 July 2006 the Maternity Payment will be increased to $4000
* from 1 July 2008 the Maternity Payment will be increased to $5000.