Registering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander births

Congratulations on your new bub. Registering their birth gives them the right start. Once you have registered your baby, you can apply for a birth certificate.

On this page

Registering your bub

  • Is free
  • The hospital does not do it for you, it's your responsibility 
  • Register your bub within 60 days of birth
  • It's never too late to register your bub and you won't get in trouble if you miss the cutoff date. 

Register your bub online

 

Why it's important

After you register your baby's birth, you can then apply for a birth certificate.

A birth certificate is a proof of name and age document that makes it easier for your child to:

  • access health services like Medicare
  • enrol in daycare and school
  • take part in organised sport
  • open a bank account
  • get a driver's licence or passport
  • complete a Working with Children Check
  • receive government benefits.

You also need to register your baby if you are applying for certain government benefits like parental leave.

Watch the video below about the Our Kids Count campaign and registering your baby.

2:42

Our Kids Count - Indigenous Birth Registration

Read transcript
Video transcript

Our Kids Count - Indigenous Birth Registration

Treena Cutmore: It's really important to register your child within the first 60 days of being born.

The reason being for enrolment into early childhood, big school and for identification.

Bianca Roberts: Alani was born in October, 2013 out at Randwick, at the Royal Hospital for Women. She's a very fun child, she's very out there as you may have seen already and she keeps me very busy.

Treena: I've worked in early childhood for 34 years. With my current employment, I’ve seen a few issues with parents getting their child enrolled due to not having their child registered. And that delayed their process for them starting childcare.

Bianca: It was important to register Alani because I actually wanted to go back to work pretty soon after she was born. I think she was about 18 months when I did, so already having her registered and having her birth certificate and all of that kind of stuff just made the enrolment process a lot easier.

Treena: If our parents, our Aboriginal parents need help they could get help from the social worker at the hospital, or they can go to the local AMS to help register their child.

By registering your baby it opens up opportunities for your child later in life.

Bianca: When I registered Alani, it was all paperwork. But now I know they're moving to more of an online registration format, and if you need a paper form they can provide those for you. You get pretty much everything that you need when you leave the hospital, so you've got all of your forms and details on there. It's quite an easy, quick process as well so I found it to be good.

Treena: I think it's really important that new mums talk about registering their child because our kids need to be counted, our Aboriginal children.

Bianca: Our kids count, register your baby.

Treena: It's really important to register your child within the first 60 days.

Biance: You can register your child at any time, even if you've missed the 60 day period.

Treena: Just remember, it is your responsibility to register your baby.

Bianca: It's free to register the birth of your baby. 

How to register your baby

1

Have your ID ready

Gather the identification items you will need. Find the ID list at Register your baby.

2

Complete the online application

Fill out the online registration form.

If you need help accessing a computer or completing the form, you can ask for help at a Service NSW Centre, or find a community event near you for assistance.

3

Submit your application

When you submit your application you can also choose to purchase a birth certificate.

If the fee for the birth certificate is a barrier, you can ask for assistance at a community event.

Register your bub online

How to get help

Visit a Service Centre

Find your closest Service Centre and we can help you register in person.

Call us

Call us on 13 77 88 for help over the phone.

Let us know when you call if you would like your enquiry handled by an Indigenous staff member.

Attend an event

You can register your bub at a community event. We provide a limited number of free birth certificates at these events. 

Find an event near you.

Missing documentation

Stolen Generations

Sometimes it can be difficult to get copies of the documents you need to register your baby. For example, if you or your relatives were separated from family and culture through forced removal, being fostered, adopted or raised in an institution.

Help is available. Contact Link-Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation

Proof of Aboriginality

Some Indigenous-specific services, programs and grants ask you for proof of heritage. We do not provide certificates that confirm Aboriginality.

Visit the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) website to learn more.

Other helpful services

To get help, you can also speak with:

Related information

Births

Register your baby

Life events

Having a baby

Our step-by-step guide can help you manage your finances, understand your responsibilities and find support services.

Births

Community events calendar

Find an event near you to assist with registering a birth and obtaining a birth certificate.

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