📋 Free checklist

Having a Baby Checklist

From first trimester to returning to work — what to register for, apply for, and organise at each stage.

🌱First trimester (weeks 1–12)8 tasks

Book a GP appointment to confirm pregnancy and get a referralChoose your model of care: private obstetrician, public hospital midwives, or shared careBook your 12-week dating scan and first trimester screeningRegister with your chosen hospital or birth centreApply for Medicare Safety Net (myGov)Start researching parental leave — check your employment contract and Services Australia entitlementsNotify your employer when you're comfortable (no legal requirement to disclose in first trimester)Stop alcohol and review medications with your GP

🤰Second trimester (weeks 13–26)8 tasks

Book your 20-week morphology scanStart researching childcare options — get on waitlists early for infant placesReview your private health insurance and check what's covered for obstetricsGet on the waiting list for hospital antenatal classesSet up a baby budget — estimate ongoing costs for first yearResearch and apply for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) via myGovNotify HR of your expected parental leave dates (usually required 10 weeks before)Check your partner's parental leave entitlements too

👶Third trimester (weeks 27–40)9 tasks

Apply for Parental Leave Pay via myGov / Services Australia (can apply up to 3 months before due date)Apply for Family Tax Benefit Part A and BPrepare hospital bag (for you and baby)Buy essential baby gear: car seat, pram, cot or bassinet, nappies, feeding suppliesInstall and inspect car seat (many councils offer free inspection days)Complete antenatal classesPrepare your home: set up nursery, baby-proof hazardsWrite a birth plan (and share with midwife/obstetrician)Research newborn care: feeding, safe sleep, cord care

🍼After birth (first 6 weeks)9 tasks

Register your baby's birth with Births, Deaths & Marriages (usually through the hospital)Apply for Medicare card for your baby via myGovApply for Child Support if relevantApply for Family Tax Benefit Part A (if not already)Notify your super fund of new dependant for insurance purposesBook 6-week postnatal check for yourselfBook newborn hearing screen (usually done in hospital)Register with a local child and family health nurseSet up your baby's TFN if you plan to invest on their behalf

💼Returning to work6 tasks

Confirm your return to work date with employer in writingConfirm your childcare start date and ensure CCS is activeReview your flexible working arrangement options (Fair Work Act right to request)Calculate your net income after childcare costs — use our Return to Work CalculatorUpdate your tax withholding if income has changed significantlyCheck whether your super continued to be paid on parental leave (some employers continue it — it's not legally required unless negotiated)

Related tools & guides

🤰Pregnancy Week Calculator 👶Return to Work Calculator 💰How the CCS Works 📖Having a Baby Guide