Millions of Australian families are eligible for financial help with their children’s dental care, yet most are not taking advantage of it. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule, a Centrelink dental benefit, provides up to $1,132 every two years, but figures show the majority of households leave this support unclaimed.
According to Yahoo Finance, around 2.4 million children are currently eligible, while only 600,000 accessed the scheme in the first half of this year. The program was created to assist families receiving certain government payments, but awareness and usage remain significantly lower than expected nationwide.
Millions Eligible, But Few Access the Support
According to government figures, 2.4 million children across the country qualify for the scheme. However, in the first half of this year only 600,000 Australians accessed it, leaving millions without support that could make a real difference to family budgets. The Australian Dental Association has explained that confusion about how to use the scheme is a major reason for the low uptake.
Health Minister Mark Butler has urged families to take advantage of the program, telling 9News:
It’s a terrific opportunity for relatively low-income families to get access to high-quality dental care for their kids and build that strong oral health for a lifetime.
Who Can Claim the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
Eligibility depends on age, Medicare status, and whether your family receives certain Centrelink payments. To qualify, your child must be under 18 and eligible for Medicare. Families also need to receive payments such as Family Tax Benefit Part A or the Parenting Payment.
In addition, children themselves can qualify if they receive Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, or the Disability Support Pension. According to Services Australia, families who meet the requirements will usually receive a letter confirming eligibility.
This Centrelink dental benefit is designed to ensure that children in low- to middle-income families don’t miss out on essential oral care.
What Treatments Are Covered Under the Scheme?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule can be used for a wide range of basic dental services. These include regular check-ups, x-rays, cleaning, fillings, and root canal treatments. However, it cannot be used for orthodontics or cosmetic dental work, which remain outside the scope of the program.
Importantly, the scheme is applied on a “use it or lose it” basis. The two-year period begins at the start of the calendar year when your child becomes eligible and receives their first dental service. If not used within this timeframe, the dental benefit cannot be carried over.
How Families Can Claim the Support
Families can access the benefit in two main ways, either by having the payment processed directly at the dental clinic through bulk billing or by paying the bill upfront and then claiming reimbursement from Services Australia. When a dentist offers bulk billing, the claim can be settled immediately at the clinic, removing the need for families to cover the cost first.
If bulk billing is not available, parents may pay the bill themselves and then lodge a claim with Services Australia, which specifies that the dental benefit will be transferred directly into the family’s bank account. Health officials recommend asking the dentist beforehand whether the scheme can be applied, helping families avoid unexpected expenses.
