Centrelink $1,132 Dental Benefit 2025 – Eligibility, Inclusions & How to Apply

Dental costs in Australia often sting, especially for parents juggling the never-ending list of kids’ expenses. That’s why the federal government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) remains such a crucial support system. In 2025, the program is offering up to $1,132 worth of dental services per child over two calendar years — a safety net that ensures cavities and routine checkups don’t spiral into emergencies or giant bills.

Families who qualify can use this benefit directly at participating dental clinics, with Services Australia handling the paperwork. Think of it as Medicare’s way of keeping your child’s smile healthy without draining your wallet.

Why the Government Offers This

The scheme isn’t just about saving money — it’s about prevention. According to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, one in three Australian kids have untreated tooth decay, which can snowball into infections and even hospital visits. By covering routine checkups, X-rays, and fillings, the CDBS helps families act early, reducing both long-term health risks and costs.

It’s also aligned with broader public health strategies, ensuring every child — regardless of background — has access to essential dental care.

Quick Breakdown of the $1,132 CDBS (2025)

Feature	Details
Benefit Name	Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
Managed By	Services Australia (Centrelink)
Eligible Children	Under 18 years
Total Amount	$1,132 over 2 calendar years
Payment Method	Direct to dentist (bulk billing)
Application	Via dental clinic or myGov
Validity	2 calendar years
Purpose	Cover basic dental care, prevent emergencies

Who’s Eligible in 2025

Not every child qualifies, so families need to tick a few boxes. To receive the CDBS:

• Your child must be 0–17 years old for at least one day in the calendar year.
• They must be eligible for Medicare.
• The family needs to receive a qualifying government payment (e.g., Family Tax Benefit Part A, Parenting Payment, or Carer Payment) at least once during the year.

Children in foster or approved care arrangements may also qualify. Importantly, eligibility resets with each cycle — so if your child used part of the benefit earlier, they might still be entitled to more in the next two-year window.

What’s Covered (and What’s Not)

Here’s where parents breathe easier: the program covers most of the essentials.

Included:

• Routine dental checkups
• X-rays
• Professional cleaning
• Fissure sealing (to block cavities)
• Fillings
• Root canals
• Tooth extractions
• Partial dentures

Excluded:

• Orthodontics (braces)
• Cosmetic treatments (like whitening)
• Services provided in a hospital setting

So while braces won’t be free under this scheme, the coverage still takes care of the bread-and-butter treatments most kids need.

How to Use the Benefit

The process is refreshingly straightforward:

1. Book an appointment at a clinic that accepts CDBS.
2. Tell them upfront you’re using the benefit.
3. Ask for an estimate to avoid going over the cap.
4. Track your balance on myGov linked to Medicare.

If the clinic bulk bills, you won’t pay anything out of pocket (as long as you stay under the $1,132 cap).

Payment & Balance Rules

It’s important to note this isn’t cash handed to families. The amount is a benefit balance applied to approved dental bills:

• Spread across two years.
• Unused funds from the first year roll over into the second.
• If you hit the cap early, you’ll need to wait for the next cycle.
• The cap can be indexed for inflation in future years — meaning it could increase slightly in 2026.

Why Families Shouldn’t Ignore It

Skipping dental checkups because of cost can backfire. Tooth decay left untreated often leads to infection, pain, and higher expenses later. The CDBS is designed to break that cycle — encouraging families to invest in preventive care now rather than emergency care later.

Even if your child’s teeth look fine, using the benefit for routine checkups ensures problems are caught early.

Fact Check

Some social posts in parenting forums have incorrectly claimed that the $1,132 is “cash paid to families.” That’s not true. According to Services Australia, the payment is made directly to dental providers who bulk bill under the scheme. Families don’t receive cash transfers.

FAQs