The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is an Australian Government programme that covers basic dental care for eligible children. If your child qualifies, we bulk-bill the visit at Richmond Smiles Dental and there is nothing to pay on the day.
This guide covers who qualifies, how much is available, what is and is not included, and how to check your child’s balance.
How much the scheme provides
The benefit is capped at $1,158 per child across two consecutive calendar years. The cap is indexed on 1 January each year, so check the current figure before planning treatment.
Two points that are often misunderstood:
- It is a two-year cap, not an annual one. Using $800 in the first year leaves the remainder for the second.
- Unused benefit does not roll over into the next two-year period.
The current cap is published by Services Australia.
Who is eligible
A child qualifies when all three of the following apply:
- They are aged 0 to 17 for at least one day of the calendar year.
- They are eligible for Medicare on the day of the appointment.
- They, or their family, receive a qualifying Australian Government payment — most commonly Family Tax Benefit Part A — for at least one day of that year.
Eligibility is not a direct income test. It follows from receiving one of the listed payments. Services Australia assesses it at the start of each calendar year and it holds for the whole year; if a family becomes eligible partway through, eligibility is backdated to 1 January.
You can confirm eligibility through your Medicare online account in myGov, by calling Services Australia on 132 011, or by asking us to check when you book.
What the scheme covers
Included:
- Examinations
- Scale and clean
- Fluoride treatment
- Fissure sealants
- X-rays
- Fillings
- Root canal treatment
- Extractions
Not included:
- Orthodontic treatment — braces, plates, aligners and retainers
- Cosmetic treatment, including whitening
- Dental work provided in hospital
This matters if you are budgeting for braces or aligners. Orthodontics sits outside the scheme entirely, so it needs to be funded through private health extras, a payment plan, or savings. Our orthodontics page sets out our fees, which start from $4,500.
Using the benefit at Richmond Smiles
For eligible children we bulk-bill directly, so there is no upfront payment and no claim for you to lodge. Our kids dental page explains what a visit involves.
When you book, let us know your child may be eligible. Bring their Medicare card. We can confirm eligibility and the remaining balance at the appointment and tell you before treatment starts whether anything falls outside the scheme.
If your child needs work that the scheme does not cover, or the balance is exhausted, we will give you a written treatment plan with costs before proceeding. Our check-up and clean is $289 for patients not using the scheme, and fillings start from $150.
Checking the remaining balance
You can see how much of the cap is left at any time:
- Through your Medicare online account via myGov
- Through the Express Plus Medicare mobile app
- By calling Services Australia on 132 011
- By asking us to check at the appointment
Balances can take a few days to update after a claim, so a very recent visit may not appear straight away.
Making the most of the two years
Start with an examination. Until a dentist has looked, there is no way to know whether the balance needs to stretch across several fillings or just routine care.
Prioritise treatment over convenience. If the balance is limited, restorative work that prevents pain comes before optional items.
Keep up six-monthly visits. Preventive care is inexpensive relative to the cap and is the most reliable way to avoid needing the rest of it.
Watch the end of the period. Unused benefit is lost, so if your child has treatment pending and the period is closing, bring it forward.
Use extras cover alongside it. If you also hold private health insurance, treatment outside the scheme may attract a rebate. We are a NIB First Choice provider and CBHS preferred provider and can claim through HICAPS at the appointment — see our health funds page.
Common questions
Does the scheme cover braces?
No. Orthodontic treatment is specifically excluded, as is cosmetic work.
Is the cap per child or per family?
Per child. Each eligible child has their own balance.
What happens when the balance runs out?
Further treatment is paid privately or through health fund extras until the next two-year period begins.
Can we change dentists partway through?
Yes. The balance belongs to the child, not the practice, and moves with them.
Are emergency visits covered?
Services such as examinations, extractions and fillings are covered when provided by a participating dentist. Call us on (03) 9428 6587 if your child is in pain.
Do we need to apply?
No. There is no application form. Services Australia assesses eligibility automatically and notifies families at the start of the year.
Book your child’s visit
Call (03) 9428 6587 or book online, and mention that your child may be eligible. We are at 1/84 Church Street, Richmond VIC 3121, open Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm.
Preparing a young child for a first visit helps it go smoothly — our guide on getting ready for a first dental appointment covers what to say and what to bring.
Reviewed by Dr John Kendler, General Dentist and Principal Dentist at Richmond Smiles Dental. Benefit amounts and eligibility rules are set by the Australian Government and change over time; confirm current details with Services Australia. Fees shown are our current starting prices. This article is general information only.
