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Baby Essentials Checklist

A free downloadable checklist for Australians to budget, plan and prepare for a baby.

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Tablet showing MyBudget’s Newborn & Baby Essentials Checklist for Australian parents, with baby, mum, nursery items and hospital bag essentials.

Plan, budget and prepare for your baby

Get a clear, easy-to-follow checklist of everything you need for your newborn, along with practical budgeting tips to help you save money, plan ahead and avoid unnecessary baby expenses.

MyBudget client Jaz holding her newborn outdoors, representing Australian parents preparing and budgeting for a new baby.

Jaz | MyBudget Client

What's included in the free Baby Checklist?

Designed for Australian families, our easy download and print Baby Checklist includes:

  • Baby, mum and nursery essentials
  • Hospital bag checklist
  • Admin and planning tasks
  • Bonus “what no one tells you” tips.
Tammy Barton, MyBudget Founder and Director, leading a personal budgeting service that has supported more than 130,000 Australians for over 25 years.

Tammy Barton | MyBudget Founder and Director

The MyBudget difference

  • Get a customised budget plan to help you live the life you want
  • Relax while we do all the work to keep your budget on track
  • Save money faster with money experts and an automated system
  • Stay ahead with free money tools and resources.

How much does it cost to have a baby?

Tammy Barton shares what to budget for, the hidden baby costs and how to plan financially before your newborn arrives.

A smiling woman and illustrations of baby gear like diapers and a crib. The title asks:

FAQs

  • MyBudget combines expert financial coaching with smart technology to give you a personalised money management system that makes budgeting easier. Unlike traditional budget apps or budget spreadsheets that you manage on your own, we help you organise bills, reduce debt, plan for future expenses, build savings and stay accountable. We can even negotiate with your creditors for you. With more than 25 years of experience, our team guides and supports you every step of the way so you can finally feel in control of your finances.

  • Every appointment to set up your personalised budget is completely free. If you decide to join, your fees will depend on the complexity of your financial situation and the level of support you need. Our mission is to improve financial wellbeing, so our fees are designed to be an affordable investment towards helping you achieve your financial goals.

  • Having a baby on one income may be possible if your reduced household income can cover housing, bills, baby expenses, debt repayments and a buffer for unexpected costs. Prepare a one-income budget before parental leave begins and test whether your savings and government payments can cover any shortfall.

  • Based on the cost categories in this guide, a practical planning range is approximately $5,000 to $15,000 for baby-only expenses in the first year. This excludes childcare, private maternity care and any gap between Parental Leave Pay and your usual income, so your actual costs may be higher or lower.

  • Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for Parental Leave Pay, Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Subsidy or Parenting Payment. Some families may receive the Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement instead of Parental Leave Pay for the same child. Use the Services Australia Payment Finder for an individual estimate.