CDBS Fee Schedule 2026: Item-by-Item Rebates Under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule

CDBS Fee Schedule 2026 at a Glance

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) pays a fixed Medicare rebate for each ADA dental item number when claimed for an eligible child aged 0-17. The 2026 schedule is indexed by Services Australia under the Dental Benefits Act 2008 and capped at $1,132 per child over a two-year period.

At verified Townsville dental clinics that bulk bill CDBS, the rebate below is accepted as full payment — the family pays nothing out of pocket for covered services. At non-bulk-billing clinics, the family pays the difference between the rebate and the clinic’s standard fee.

2026 Per-Item Rebate Table

The figures below are indicative 2026 rebates for the most commonly claimed CDBS items. Rebates are reviewed annually and may be revised mid-year by Services Australia.

Diagnostic

Preventive

Restorative (fillings)

Endodontics

Oral surgery

Rebates above are indicative for the 2026 schedule and are rounded to the nearest dollar. Always confirm the current rebate with the treating dentist or via the Services Australia provider portal before treatment.

How the $1,132 Two-Year Cap Works

CDBS is capped at $1,132 per eligible child over a consecutive two-calendar-year period. The cap applies to the total rebate paid across all items, not per visit.

A typical year of basic care might use:

• 2× periodic exams (item 012) — ~$116
• 2× scale and cleans (item 114) — ~$188
• 2× bitewing X-rays (item 022) — ~$84
• 4× fissure sealants (item 161) — ~$200
• 1× one-surface filling (item 511) — ~$186

That comes to ~$774 across the year, leaving roughly $358 of the cap for the second year before further treatment is paid out of pocket. Families with multiple eligible children get a separate $1,132 cap for each child.

The two-year period is tracked per child and resets on the calendar year the child first became eligible. Unused balance does not roll over beyond the two-year window.

Bulk Billing vs Gap Payments

The 2026 schedule sets the rebate, not the clinic’s fee. How a family experiences the schedule depends on the clinic’s billing policy:

For a list of Townsville clinics confirmed to bulk bill CDBS, see CDBS in Townsville: eligible clinics.

Eligibility Reminder

The CDBS fee schedule only applies to children who are eligible. Eligibility is means-tested — at least one of the following payments must be received by the parent or child:

• Family Tax Benefit Part A
• Parenting Payment
• Disability Support Pension (for the child)
• Carer Payment
• Double Orphan Pension
• Youth Allowance (for the child)
• ABSTUDY
• Veterans’ Children Education Scheme
• Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education Scheme

Check eligibility via myGov linked to Medicare, by calling Services Australia on 132 011, or by asking the clinic to verify at the time of booking.

For a full walk-through of eligibility, covered services, and how to claim, see Child Dental Benefits Schedule explained.

What CDBS Does NOT Cover

The 2026 fee schedule excludes:

• Orthodontics — braces, retainers, Invisalign, clear aligners (items 811-899)
• Cosmetic dentistry — teeth whitening, veneers, cosmetic bonding for aesthetic reasons
• Dental implants and implant-supported prosthetics
• Crowns and bridges in most cases (items 611-699)
• Hospital-based dental services unless under specific approval
• General anaesthesia fees charged by hospitals or anaesthetists

For families needing orthodontic care or implants, the free and low-cost dental care guide for Townsville lists other public and concessional options.

Source

Australian Government Services Australia, Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Schedule indexed annually under the Dental Benefits Act 2008. Item numbers follow the Australian Schedule of Dental Services and Glossary maintained by the Australian Dental Association.