Millions Eligible for $1,132 Centrelink Dental Support — Here’s How to Claim It

Australians who’ve been putting off a trip to the dentist might want to stop scrolling and start booking — fast. The Centrelink dental benefit, officially known as the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), is nearing the end of its current benefit period, and thousands of families are still leaving money on the table. Worth up to $1,132 in free dental care per child over two years, this federal program has been a quiet but crucial support for low-income families across the country.

Yet as of 2025, fewer than one in three eligible households have used it — meaning millions of dollars in dental support could simply expire unused by the end of the year.

What the Centrelink Dental Benefit Actually Covers

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) provides up to $1,132 in dental services per child over a two-year period, helping families cover the cost of essential oral care. It’s available for children under 18 who receive, or whose parents receive, eligible Centrelink payments such as:

• Family Tax Benefit Part A
• Parenting Payment
• Or other qualifying income support payments

The benefit covers basic dental services — check-ups, cleaning, fillings, X-rays, extractions — at participating dental clinics. No up-front payment is needed; the dentist bills Medicare directly.

Eligibility Criteria	Covered Services
Children under 18 with valid Medicare	Check-ups & exams
Family receives FTB Part A or Parenting Payment	Cleanings & fluoride treatments
Must use approved provider	X-rays, fillings, extractions

Benefit Period	Maximum Amount	Deadline
2 years	$1,132	End of 2025

Why This Benefit Matters Right Now

For many families, the CDBS has quietly been a lifeline — especially as dental costs continue to rise. A simple filling can easily cost $200–$300, while a full cleaning and exam can run upwards of $400. But with the CDBS, all of those services are covered under the $1,132 cap, as long as they’re provided by an approved dentist.

Despite this, around two-thirds of eligible children haven’t used the benefit. Awareness remains low, and some parents mistakenly believe they’ll need to pay up front. The truth: you don’t pay anything — it’s fully covered if your dentist participates in the program.

How to Check Eligibility and Remaining Balance

There’s no separate application process — if you or your child qualify, the benefit is already active. You can check it in minutes:

1. Log in to your MyGov account.
2. Go to the Medicare section.
3. Select Child Dental Benefits Schedule to view balance and eligibility.

Alternatively, most dental practices can check your child’s eligibility on the spot by looking up your Medicare details.

If you still have unused funds from the current two-year cycle, you’ll need to book an appointment before 31 December 2025. Once the period ends, any unspent balance expires and cannot be rolled over.

What’s Included (and What’s Not)

The Centrelink dental benefit is designed to cover essential preventive and restorative treatments, not cosmetic work. Eligible services include:

• Oral examinations and check-ups
• Cleanings and fluoride treatments
• X-rays and diagnostic imaging
• Fillings and simple extractions
• Root canals (in certain cases for baby teeth)

Not covered: orthodontics (braces), cosmetic whitening, or hospital-based dental surgery.

The program focuses on early intervention — addressing dental issues before they become serious or costly later in life.

Why You Should Use It Before It Expires

Leaving this benefit unused is essentially giving up free healthcare. Services Australia has made it clear: unused balances do not carry over. Once the 2023–2025 benefit period closes, the funds are wiped and reset for the next period — but any leftover money is gone for good.

Dental professionals are urging parents to schedule appointments early, as clinics often book out toward the end of the year when families rush to use remaining balances.

“People are often shocked when they find out they’ve missed out on over a thousand dollars’ worth of free care,” said a Sydney-based community dentist. “This isn’t just about free check-ups — it’s about keeping kids healthy before problems escalate.”

Long-Term Health and Financial Impact

Australia’s dental costs remain among the highest in the OECD, and untreated dental issues can lead to long-term health problems — from infections to poor nutrition and speech difficulties in children.

Programs like the CDBS are designed to bridge that gap. By encouraging routine care, the government hopes to reduce emergency dental visits, improve public health outcomes, and ultimately save families and the healthcare system money in the long run.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) estimates that for every dollar spent on preventive dental care, three dollars are saved in emergency and hospital costs later.

What Happens If You Don’t Use the Benefit

If you don’t use your CDBS funds by the end of 2025, they’re gone — no carryover, no refund, no backdating. You’ll need to wait until the next benefit cycle to access a new $1,132 cap.

Services Australia is urging families to act now:

• Check eligibility on MyGov.
• Book with a bulk-billing dentist who accepts CDBS patients.
• Complete services before the deadline to maximize the benefit.

Even if your child doesn’t need urgent care, a regular check-up or cleaning will make sure you don’t miss the entitlement.

Fact Check

• Claim: The Centrelink dental benefit offers up to $1,132 in free dental care for children.
• Status: True. Confirmed under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).
• Eligibility: Children under 18 with Medicare and a parent/guardian receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A or equivalent payment.
• Coverage: Check-ups, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, extractions.
• Deadline: Current benefit cycle ends 31 December 2025.
• Sources: Services Australia, Health.gov.au

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