Maternity allowance was the 'first form of Commonwealth social security available to women'. It was a single, lump sum payment to all mothers of newborn children. It was not means tested when it was introduced.
Sources used to compile this entry: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, 'Submission No. 335 Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices', in Submissions received by the Committee, Commonwealth of Australia, 2012, http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Completed_inquiries/2010-13/commcontribformerforcedadoption/submissions. p.1..
Prepared by: Debra Rosser
Created: 2 May 2013, Last modified: 2 March 2015