When Does My Child’s CDBS Balance Reset?

CDBS uses two consecutive calendar years, not a fresh full allowance every January and not 24 months from an appointment date. The start of your child's benefit period matters when checking the available balance.

How the period works

The period starts on 1 January of the year in which the child is eligible and first receives a covered service. Any remaining balance can be used in the second year only if the child is still eligible. Unused funds do not carry beyond that two-year period. See Services Australia's explanation.

For example, if an eligible child's first covered service is in November 2026, that period runs through the 2026 and 2027 calendar years—not until November 2028. Eligibility in the second year still needs checking.

Which cap applies in 2026?

For a two-year period starting in 2026, the cap is $1,158. If 2025 was the first year, the cap for that period is $1,132. The higher indexed amount does not automatically top up an existing period. These figures are set out in Services Australia's current usage guidance.

What to check before booking

• The first year of the current two-year period.
• Whether the child is eligible for the year of the proposed appointment.
• The remaining balance after care at any practice.
• The planned items, fees and whether the remaining amount is sufficient.

You can check through Medicare's official channels and ask the practice to confirm the available benefit. Do not rely only on the date of your most recent visit or an old eligibility letter.

Our CDBS information page explains how to discuss an appointment with the clinic. Plan care around your child's clinical needs; an expiring balance is not a reason to request unnecessary treatment. Confirm current limits with Services Australia, particularly when a new calendar year begins.