How to get paid a bonus to immunise your kids

To encourage parents to fully immunise their children, the government offers a maternity immunisation allowance (MIA).

It is paid in two amounts of $129 each. The first payment will be made if your child is immunised between 18 and 24 months and the second between four and five years.

Even if you don't immunise your children, you may also be eligible provided you have an "approved exemption".

This could be because, among other reasons, you have a conscientious objection to immunisation, immunising your child is medically contraindicated or the vaccine is not available.

If you received a baby bonus, the Family Assistance Office will automatically check your eligibility for the immunisation allowance and pay it into your account.

Otherwise, you will need to claim it through the Family Assistance Office on or before the child's second birthday for the first amount and on or before the fifth birthday for the second amount.

The maternity immunisation allowance is also payable for children adopted outside Australia who arrive here before the age of 16 and who are immunised by their fifth birthday or within two years of arrival, whichever is later.

In 2007-08, Maternity Immunisation Allowance was paid to 260,000 families for 265,000 children at a cost of approximately $60 million. In 2009-10, it is expected that 276,500 families will receive the payment.

See familyassist.gov.au or call 136 150 for more details.

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