with the maternity immunisation allowance, you make your initial claim when you claim for your baby bonus (the $4133 - which goes up to $4187 after September 20) - you can ask them at that time to link your medicare number to your childs file and it will then automatically be paid when bubs is around 19-20 months old (provided you're up to date) - it used to be all injections up to 18months, but seeing chicken pox is no longer compulsory, it just checks once your baby is 18 months old that you've had all needles up to and including the 12 month one - if it isn't paid by your childs second birthday you may not receive it - but if you apply for it now (which is automatic for all new claims these days) centrelink will make sure it happens

for the baby bonus - you can register your claim online or over the phone - it's pretty simple - all the intructions will be on the form you get at the hospital when bubs is born. the form you receive has babies proof of borth on the back, signed by the doctor/midwife, and is the claim for baby bonus, family tax benefit, maternity immunisation allowance AND medicare. you also HAVE to apply to register babies birth with births/deaths/marriages otherwise your bonus wont be paid

hth's
BG