Financial assistance for Bereaved families  

The death of a baby or child can bring unexpected financial costs at a time when you are already dealing with grief. 

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government or your state or territory government. This may include payments following the death of a child, help with funeral costs, or other support if you are experiencing financial hardship. 

Eligibility and payment amounts can change. The information below is intended as a starting point. Always check the current eligibility requirements and application process on the government website before applying. 

Services Australia – when a child dies 

Services Australia has information about payments and services that may be available after the death of a child. 

This can include: 

• Family Tax Benefit bereavement payments 

• Carer Allowance bereavement payments 

• Parental Leave Pay following stillbirth or neonatal death 

• Stillborn Baby Payment 

• Parenting Payment and other payments you may already receive 

Find out what help may be available: 
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/what-help-there-when-child-dies 

Parental Leave Pay after stillbirth or neonatal death 

If your baby was stillborn or died soon after birth, you may still be eligible for Parental Leave Pay if you meet the eligibility requirements. 

Find out more: 
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/experiencing-stillbirth-or-neonatal-death 

For babies born from 1 July 2026, eligible families may receive Parental Leave Pay for up to 26 weeks. 

Stillborn Baby Payment 

If your baby was stillborn, you may be eligible for a one-off Stillborn Baby Payment. 

You cannot receive Stillborn Baby Payment and Parental Leave Pay for the same baby. Services Australia can help you understand which payment you may be eligible for. 

Find out more: 
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/stillborn-baby-payment 

The death of a child may affect your existing Centrelink payments. Services Australia can explain what happens to your payments and whether you may receive a bereavement payment. 

You can also notify Services Australia of a death using the relevant process. 

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/death-loved-one 

Help with funeral costs 

If you are struggling to pay for a funeral, financial assistance may be available depending on where you live and your circumstances. 

Some government programs can assist when the family are unable to meet funeral costs. These programs are generally subject to eligibility and financial hardship requirements. 

• Western Australia WA Government – Bereavement Assistance Program 

• New South Wales NSW Government – Paying for a funeral 

• Victoria Victorian Government – Bereavement assistance 

• Queensland Queensland Coroners Court – Funeral Assistance 

• South Australia SA Government – Arranging a funeral 

• ACT ACT Government – Funeral Assistance 

• Tasmania Service Tasmania – Births, relationships and deaths 

• Northern Territory NT Government – Arrange for funeral costs to be paid 

You can also ask your hospital, social worker or funeral director about any government assistance that may be available in your circumstances. 

For families who have sadly lost a baby cared for in a NICU or Special Care Nursery, residing in the Macarthur, Wollondilly and Liverpool areas (NSW), Taylor’d Funerals are generously providing families living locally to the Funeral Home the offer of a funeral at no cost. To speak to somebody about this support email [email protected] or call 1300 622 243. 
You can also view more information here. 

Workplace leave entitlements 

If you are working when your baby or child dies, you may have workplace leave entitlements that can give you some time away from work. 

Fair Work Ombudsman – Stillbirth, premature birth or death of a child 

Fair Work Ombudsman – Understanding parental leave following the loss of a pregnancy or a child 

Important: Workplace entitlements can depend on your employment arrangements, length of service, award or agreement and the circumstances of your loss. Fair Work Ombudsman provides the minimum workplace entitlements under Australian workplace law. Your employer may provide additional benefits or leave. 

After the death of a baby or child, financial information can feel overwhelming. 

You do not need to apply for everything at once. If you are in hospital, ask your social worker, bereavement midwife or another member of your care team whether they can help you understand what support may be available. 

You can also contact the Miracle Babies NurtureLine on 1300 622 243 for support. 

Useful links 

Red Nose Grief and Loss provide specialised bereavement support free of charge to any person affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or child during pregnancy, birth, infancy or childhood. 

COPE – Centre of perinatal excellence provides information and practical resources for parents and families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss. Their resources cover grief and emotional wellbeing, support for partners and families, and information about getting help following a loss. 

Through the unexpected provides information and support for parents and families who are looking into, planning or recovering from a termination for medical reasons (TFMR) after a prenatal diagnosis of a fetal anomaly.