Is My Child Eligible for CDBS? A Guide for Perth Parents

CDBS is not automatic dental cover for every child. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule has Medicare, age and government-payment conditions. Confirm your child's eligibility for the current year before relying on a benefit.

The main eligibility conditions

Services Australia says a child must be Medicare eligible, aged 0–17 for at least one day in the calendar year, and meet the relevant eligible-payment condition. A parent or child receiving an eligible payment can be relevant; the precise rules depend on the circumstances. Private health insurance is not the eligibility test.

You do not need to submit a separate CDBS application. Services Australia checks eligibility, but a previous year's eligibility should not be treated as confirmation for every later appointment.

Check before the visit

Use the official eligibility-check guidance, your Medicare online account or the Medicare program line. Ask about both eligibility and the available balance. These are different questions: being eligible does not mean the full benefit cap remains unused.

• Which calendar year and benefit period apply to my child?
• Has any benefit already been used at another dental practice?
• Can the practice check the available balance before proposed treatment?
• Will the planned items be covered, and are there any out-of-pocket fees?

Tell the practice you intend to use CDBS

When booking, say that you would like to use CDBS and ask what information to bring. Do not send Medicare numbers or other personal details through public comments or social media. The practice can advise you on its appropriate booking and verification process.

Our CDBS information for Canning Vale families explains the local appointment context. Ask the team to clarify fees and consent before treatment begins. Eligibility and a remaining balance do not, on their own, establish that every proposed service will be fully paid for.