Yahoo Lifestyle Baby Bonus: No Boost to Fertility Rate, According to Study
A new study has found that the baby bonus has had little effect on a couple’s decision to start a family.
The baby bonus was introduced in 2004 as a one-off payment of $3000 to new mums.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that in the period between 2001 and 2008, the total Australian fertility rate increased from 1.73 to 1.96 babies per woman.
But the study, conducted by Professor Nick Parr of Macquarie University and Professor Ross Guest from Queensland's Griffith University, finds that the increase is due less to the baby bonus, and more to effects of age, economic conditions and marital status.
The study notes that the birth rate was highest while economic conditions were strong, and notes that recent figures show the birth rate falling again following the 2008 global financial crisis.
It also points to an increasing number of women who had delayed child-rearing until their 30s and then played “catch-up”.
"These results may provide grounds to speculate that the introduction in 2011 of a universal government-funded paid parental leave scheme will not raise fertility substantially," Professor Parr said.
Did the baby bonus affect your decision to start a family? Do you think Australians need the baby bonus?
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