The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) for 2025 gives many families a reason to smile — it provides up to a $1,132 cap per eligible child over a two-year period so routine dental care is more affordable. If your family gets certain government payments, this scheme can cover essential check-ups, fillings and more, helping parents avoid painful surprises and big out-of-pocket bills. This guide explains what the benefit covers, who can claim and simple steps to make sure you don’t miss out on the support available across Australia.
What the $1,132 support covers and how it works
The CDBS is designed to help with common dental costs: think check-ups, X-rays, cleans, basic dental services like fillings and extractions, and some root canals if needed. The program operates on a two calendar years rule — you get up to the full $1,132 across two consecutive years and the two-year period begins when your child first receives an eligible service. Most dentists who take part can process claims on your behalf, making it straightforward to use the benefit at the time of treatment and avoid complex paperwork.
Who is eligible and which payments qualify
Eligibility centres on family income support: children usually qualify if they are aged 0–17 and the family receives certain Centrelink payments (for example, Family Tax Benefit or other eligible welfare payments). The exact list of qualifying payments is set by Services Australia, so it’s a good idea to check whether your child is already on the records. The scheme aims to reach low-income families and those on government support, and many reports show a sizable number of eligible children haven’t yet used their entitlement — so checking eligibility can be a quick way to unlock value.
How to claim, timing and practical steps
Claiming is user-friendly: your participating dentist can usually lodge the claim directly with Services Australia when they provide the treatment, or you can confirm eligibility online through your myGov account linked to Centrelink. Before booking, it’s wise to ask the clinic if they dentist bulk-billing under the CDBS or whether you’ll need to pay any gap fee. Keep in mind the benefit amount is indexed annually and if 2025 is the first year of your child’s two-year period, the $1,132 cap applies from that year — plan treatments accordingly to make the most of your available balance.
Smart tips to maximise the benefit and avoid common mistakes
To get the best from the CDBS, start with a preventive approach: schedule regular check-ups so small issues are caught early (this is one way to plan treatments effectively). Always check your balance before undertaking major work so you know how much remains in the two-year pool, and ask your dentist for an estimate of any gap fees. Finally, keep records of treatments and receipts — if a child loses eligibility mid-period you won’t be able to reclaim leftover funds, so early action and good communication with your dental clinic and Services Australia will save stress and money.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Benefit cap | Up to $1,132 per eligible child over two consecutive calendar years |
| Eligible age | Children aged 0–17 years (check exact eligibility rules) |
| Services covered | Check-ups, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals, extractions |
| Not covered | Orthodontics, cosmetic dental work, and hospital-based dental services |
| How to claim | Via participating dentists (they lodge claim) or verify eligibility on myGov / Centrelink |
| Indexation | Cap indexed annually on 1 January; applies if year of first service is 2025 |
FAQs
1. Who can apply for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
Children aged up to 17 whose families receive eligible Centrelink payments can qualify — check your myGov Centrelink details for confirmation.
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2. Can I use the full $1,132 in one year?
Yes — you can use the full amount in the first year, but that will leave no funds for the second year of the two-year period.
3. Are orthodontic treatments covered?
No — the CDBS does not cover orthodontics or cosmetic dental procedures, only basic dental services listed by Services Australia.
4. How do I check how much of the benefit remains?
Ask your dentist to check your child’s CDBS balance or verify via your myGov account linked to Centrelink before treatment.
