How much does it cost to give birth in a hospital in Australia?

For public patients, giving birth in a public hospital is free under Medicare. For private patients in a private hospital, out-of-pocket costs vary widely depending on your insurer and obstetrician — typically $2,000–$8,000 even with private health insurance, due to gaps in obstetric and anaesthesiology cover. You should take out hospital cover at least 12 months before your due date to avoid waiting periods.

What is the newborn baby equipment I absolutely need?

The non-negotiables are: a safe sleep space (cot, bassinet or co-sleeper), infant car seat, pram or carrier, breast pump or formula supplies, nappies, and basic clothing. Safety-critical items (car seat, cot) should be bought new or thoroughly checked if purchasing second-hand. Many other items — bouncers, swings, toys, baby gym — are useful but not essential, and are often available second-hand or through friends.

Does the government pay anything when a baby is born?

Yes — eligible families receive a Newborn Upfront Payment ($667 in 2025–26) and a Newborn Supplement (up to $2,003 for the first child, lower for subsequent children), both through Family Tax Benefit Part A. Parental Leave Pay (up to 22 weeks at minimum wage, increasing to 26 weeks by 2026–27) is also available for eligible primary carers. Services Australia's payment finder can help you identify what you're entitled to.

When does childcare become the biggest cost?

For most Australian families, childcare overtakes all other baby-related costs from around 6–12 months of age, once parental leave ends and the child needs to be placed in formal care. Full-time long day care in a capital city typically costs $25,000–$45,000 per year before the Child Care Subsidy. After the CCS, out-of-pocket costs for a family on $120,000 combined income are typically $8,000–$16,000 per year.

How much does baby food and formula cost?

Breastfeeding is effectively free (aside from the cost of a breast pump, $100–$400 new). Formula feeding adds approximately $200–$350 per month in formula costs. Introducing solid food from around 6 months reduces formula dependence, with the additional grocery cost for pureed/mashed food typically under $50 per month. By 12 months, a baby eating table food adds approximately $50–$100/month to your grocery bill.

Cost of Having a Baby in Australia (2026) — Full First-Year Breakdown

Most financial estimates for "the cost of having a baby" dramatically understate the reality. This breakdown covers everything — upfront costs, first-year ongoing expenses, and childcare — so you can plan with real numbers.

Upfront costs before birth

The costs begin well before the baby arrives. How much you spend depends heavily on whether you go public or private for your maternity care, and how much second-hand or gifted equipment you use.

Cost item	Low estimate	Typical	High
Obstetric care (public)	$0	$0	$0
Obstetric care (private, gap)	$1,500	$4,000	$8,000
Hospital excess (private)	$0	$500	$750
Pregnancy tests & scans (gaps)	$200	$500	$1,200
Pram / stroller	$300	$900	$2,500
Infant car seat	$200	$400	$700
Cot / bassinet + mattress	$150	$400	$1,200
Baby monitor	$50	$200	$400
Breast pump	$100	$250	$450
Clothing & linen (newborn)	$150	$500	$1,500
Nappy change station + supplies	$100	$300	$700
Other nursery / equipment	$200	$800	$3,000
TOTAL (public patient)	$1,450	$3,750	$10,450
TOTAL (private patient)	$2,950	$7,750	$18,450

Estimates for a first child, 2025–26. Second-hand equipment can substantially reduce the low estimate.

Ongoing first-year costs (excluding childcare)

The ongoing costs in the first year — before formal childcare — are often lower than parents expect. Most families on parental leave have reduced income but also reduced spending on work-related costs.

Monthly cost	Low	Typical	High
Nappies (disposable)	$60	$100	$160
Formula (if not breastfeeding)	$0	$250	$380
Baby food / solids (from 6 mths)	$0	$60	$100
Clothing (growing fast)	$30	$80	$200
Medical / immunisations	$20	$60	$150
Activities / classes	$0	$100	$300
Miscellaneous supplies	$30	$80	$200
Monthly total (no childcare)	$140	$730	$1,490

Childcare: the biggest cost by far

Once parental leave ends and formal childcare begins, costs escalate dramatically. For most Australian families, childcare is the single largest household expense after rent or mortgage — often exceeding food, transport, and utilities combined.

Childcare costs before and after CCS

Full-time long day care (metro), before CCS

$31,000–$45,000/yr

After CCS on $100k household income

$5,000–$10,000/yr

After CCS on $180k household income

$12,000–$20,000/yr

Family day care, after CCS on $100k

$3,000–$7,000/yr

These are estimates. Use the Return to Work Calculator for your specific numbers.

For a full breakdown of childcare costs by city and care type, see our Childcare Costs in Australia guide. To understand how the Child Care Subsidy reduces your fees, read how the CCS works.

Total first-year estimate

Combining upfront costs, ongoing monthly costs, and childcare (assuming a return to work after 6 months of leave), here's what the first year looks like:

Upfront costs (public patient, modest equipment)$3,750–$7,500

Ongoing monthly costs × 12 (no childcare portion)$1,700–$8,700

Childcare (6 months, after CCS, ~$120k income)$3,000–$8,000

Lost income during leave (gap between leave pay & salary)$5,000–$20,000

Total first-year impact$13,000–$44,000

Estimates for a first child, average Australian family. "Lost income" reflects the gap between government Parental Leave Pay (minimum wage) and your actual salary. Range is wide because it depends heavily on your employer's parental leave policy.

How to use these numbers

These estimates are a planning starting point. Your actual costs will depend on whether you go public or private, your childcare choices, your employer's parental leave, and your household income (which determines CCS eligibility).

The most important tools for getting real numbers are the Return to Work Calculator (which models your actual childcare cost after CCS and income tax), the Cost of Raising a Child Calculator (for the longer 0–18 years picture), and the Living Expenses Calculator (to see where a baby fits into your overall household budget).