Baby bonus

Hello,
Just wondering if anyone can tell me how the baby bonus works now? We had our first daughter back at the beginning of 2008 when it was still a lump sum payment but I know it doesn't work like that anymore...we were going to use the payment this time around to buy a new pram and a few other things when the baby arrives (last time we just saved the money but we can't do it this time) but if it's broken up in to small payments then it won't be much use for buying the big things when the baby first gets here.

yeah pretty much what you said, its a fortnightly payment over the course of 18 ( i think) weeks. There is no other way of getting it. Lots of people had thought you could apply for a lump sum if you had justification to do so (Like with my 3rd, we used it as a deposit on a bigger car) But nope, its F/N payments for everyone regardless.

Yeah, f/n payments of around $400 for about 6 months.
There is no other options, but maybe you could get a small loan to pay off with the baby bonus?

Thanks for the replies...gee it does suck doesn't it LOL
I guess we could hold off on the pram for a month or so and use the first couple of payments to buy it but it would make life easier if we could just buy what we need as soon as the baby is here! Unfortunately we wouldn't want to apply for a loan, we have just finished building our first house which is why we are rather stretched for cash at the moment.
Hopefully my hubby will get a good tax return and we can use that for the things we need!

Remember it can take a good few weeks to start recieving payments too, but you will get back paid for any parenting/FTB you're entitled too.
Personally I've not bought a pram for over $200 - $300 for my kids. So you could maybe look at cheaper options?

Yeah speaking from many years/kids. Stick with a cheaper pram. The things are big, bulky & a right PITA at the best of times. If you can get something you like with a cheaper price tag its better then a big dollar once that becomes a nascence to have.
I picked up one this time round like a strider. I got it 2nd hand & only paid $150 for the Pram & bassinet attachment. I haven't used it for a NB yet but the thing is a pain in the butt! LOL Glad I didn't go out & boy it new. I love the look of it & the way I can have the seat positioned etc. But getting it in & out of the car is a nightmare. And I own a 8 seater Hiace, so plenty of room for it. Its just the pram doesn't fold down that compact for lifting etc.

baby bonus takes about a month (on average) to process once you've put in paper work. if you're thinking of using the first couple of payments to buy a pram, you may not have that money until bub is up to two months old. just something to keep in mind

Thanks again for the replies. I know what you are saying about going for a cheaper option with the pram but this time I am being really fussy with what I want out of a pram. Last time we spent about $500 (or my mum did as our present) on a pram and we were quite happy with it, but then got a stroller and found it much easier for going to the shops etc, we only use the bigger pram when we go for walks now.
My daughter will be 3.5 when the baby gets here and I was just going to buy a nice double stroller but with a newborn in one side and a bigger child in the other side they are quite hard to push and not good for my back. I have fallen in love with a pram, the city select with 2 seats as it has everything I want - seats can face any way, it fits through all standard doors, shopping checkouts and it is easy to push and fairly light to get in and out of the car. It is on special at baby bunting at the moment for $999 but I can't afford to get it right now. I never thought I would even consider spending so much on a pram but I really love this one!

Just a thought but does baby bunting have layby? Or a payment plan?

ETA: Also, have you looked on Ebay? You never know, you might be able to get exactly what you want in good condition for much less than new.

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Just a thought but does baby bunting have layby? Or a payment plan?
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They do, I've had a few lay bys there :)


Sent from my iPhone so forgive the speelung misstacks ;)

Yeah Baby Bunting does have laybuy, but they need a 20% deposit. I have my best friends wedding next weekend and as we have just moved house we really don't have any spare cash, unfortunately I think we will miss out on the sale, hopefully they will have another one towards end of financial year, we might be able to pick one up at a good price then. There aren't many city select prams on ebay at all, I checked last week but will keep my eye on ebay just in case.