Having a child, gaining permanent care or adopting a child affects many benefits. These benefits help support you and your child.
If you have or adopt a child, you need to inform Defence within 14 days by adding them as resident family.
A child who lives with you is Your partner and children who live with you. .
You also need to change your family's categorisation if you have no other recognised family.
You should report to your closest ADF health centre if you find out you're pregnant.
Housing
You can get housing assistance when you have or adopt a child. If you already get assistance, the amount you get may increase.
If you own a suitable home in your posting location, you won't be eligible for other housing assistance. If your own home becomes unsuitable, you can apply for housing assistance through Defence Housing Australia (DHA) Online services.
You should inform Defence Housing Australia (DHA) within 14 days once you know you're having a child. They can assess your housing options.
Live in a Service residence
You can get a Service residence when you have or adopt a child.
Once you know you're having or adopting a child, you can apply for a Service residence.
If your current Service residence becomes unsuitable, you can get one with the right number of bedrooms.
Live in a home and get rent allowance
You can live with your child in a home in the private rental market and get rent allowance.
Your rent allowance may increase when you have or adopt a child.
If you choose to move homes, you'll need to reapply for rent allowance.
You also need to inform your landlord or real estate agent if you need to break your lease.
Moving homes
You may get a Defence paid move to a suitable home when you have or adopt a child.
You may be eligible for moving assistance such as temporary accommodation allowance and leave benefits.
If your child has special needs, you may get extra moving assistance.
Contact Toll Transitions if you need to move when you have or adopt a child. They help manage your move.
Leave
You can take up to 52 weeks' maternity leave when you're pregnant.
Once your child is born, you can take parental leave. You can also take parental leave when you adopt a child, or when you gain a child under a permanent care order.
Travel
If you’re a member who has no resident family and you're pregnant, you can access one return trip anywhere in Australia to visit your family. This trip must be taken while you're on maternity leave.
Your travel benefits include travel to and from your destination in the Based on where you're travelling to, the types of transport available, the actual cost and the estimated value of your pay and allowances for travel time. , including return travel to any airports or stations.
You can transfer the value of your benefit to bring one or more nominated family members to your location.