Australian families are being urged to make use of Centrelink’s free dental services for children, with more than two million eligible but many missing out on the benefit.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) helps cover basic dental services for eligible children aged 17 and under. From January 1 this year, the benefit increased by $26 to $1,158 per child over a two-year period.
A Services Australia spokesperson told Yahoo Finance that around 2.4 million children were eligible for the scheme as of June 2025. However, uptake remains low, with only about 600,000 children accessing the benefit in the first half of last year.
“Poor oral health can lead to serious health problems, and at the same time families are missing out on vital financial help,” the spokesperson said.
Families do not need to apply or register for the scheme. If a child is eligible, Services Australia will notify parents or carers via their myGov inbox this month, or by post if they do not have a myGov account.
“If you’re a parent, carer or guardian receiving certain payments, or you care for a child who receives a payment, it’s likely they qualify for CDBS,” the spokesperson said.
The scheme provides up to $1,158 per eligible child over two calendar years for basic dental services. These include check-ups, X-rays, cleaning, and fillings, but exclude orthodontic and cosmetic procedures. Over time, the total support could amount to as much as $9,622 by the time a child turns 17.
The cap is indexed on January 1 each year. The new amount applies to children who receive their first dental service in that calendar year. Families can use the full amount in the first year, but doing so means no funds will remain for the second year until a new two-year period begins.
To be eligible, a child must be aged between 0 and 17, eligible for Medicare, and either the child or their parent or carer must receive an eligible payment. These include Family Tax Benefit Part A, Parenting Payment, Double Orphan Pension, ABSTUDY, Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension, Special Benefit, and Youth Allowance.
The benefit can be claimed at the dentist at the time of payment or directly through Services Australia. Families are encouraged to find dentists who bulk bill under CDBS to avoid out-of-pocket costs.
“Finding a dentist that bulk bills for CDBS is crucial for families hoping to save money,” Services Australia said, advising families to use the healthdirect website’s “find a health service” tool.
Families cannot claim the same dental service through both CDBS and private health insurance.