More than one: recognising twins, triplets and more
2026 Federal Budget Submission
The Australian Multiple Birth Association (AMBA) has unveiled a comprehensive suite of policy recommendations for the 2026 Federal Budget, aimed at addressing the "unique and targeted challenges" faced by families of twins, triplets, and higher-order multiples
A recent survey of 1,100 families conducted by AMBA revealed a stark gap in current government support. Despite existing policies, 92% of twin families and 94% of higher-order multiple families reported that current financial payments are insufficient to meet their needs.
Support payments for twin families:
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74% did not receive either Newborn Payment or Supplement payments
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Only 6% of those parents received the full financial assistance.
Support payments for triplet families:
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52% did not receive the Multiple Birth Allowance
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Only 14% received the full financial assistance.
A recent AMBA survey of 1,100 families reveals a stark disconnect between policy and lived experience. While the financial cost of twins can be 5x higher than a singleton, and triplets up to 13x higher, the safety net is failing:
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Twin families: 92% report insufficient financial support; 74% received neither the Newborn Payment nor Supplement payments; only 6% accessed full financial assistance.
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Triplet families: 94% report insufficient financial support; 52% did not receive the Multiple Birth Allowance; only 14% accessed full financial assistance.
Overwhelmingly, the Australian multiple birth community responded saying the financial support did not match the challenges that families of twins and higher order multiples face.
The unique pressures of multiples
Those significant financial pressures are combined with other unique challenges including:
1. The physical and mental toll
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Postnatal depression: Parents of multiples are 5 times more likely to experience Postnatal depression.
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Isolation and exhaustion: 74% of parents report feeling isolated, while 87% experience extreme exhaustion.
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The care deficit: It takes an average of 28 hours and 12 minutes per day to care for triplets—literally more hours than exist in a day.
2. Clinical complexity
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Prematurity: 63% of twins and 100% of higher-order multiples are born premature, requiring intensive NICU or Special Care stays.
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Breastfeeding: 56% of mothers were not offered multiple-birth-specific breastfeeding support despite the heightened complexity.
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Pregnancy complications: Women pregnant with multiples were more prone to every pregnancy complication.
3. Economic vulnerability
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Workforce Participation: 63% of mothers finished work earlier than planned due to complications; 89% were forced to stop work before 35 weeks.
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Partner Support: 60% of partners return to work within two weeks, leaving the primary caregiver to manage multiple infants alone.
These statistics build a complex picture of the unique challenges that multiple birth families face. Our comprehensive suite of policy recommendations for the 2026 Federal Budget, aimed at addressing the "unique and targeted challenges" faced by families of twins, triplets, and higher-order multiples.
Multiple birth policy recommendation
AMBA’s 2026 Federal Budget Submission outlines three critical recommendations to modernize support:
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Multiple birth support scheme: AMBA proposes an upfront payment of $15,000 for twins, $25,000 for triplets, and $35,000 for quadruplets, plus an additional $5,000 for extraordinary medical or housing costs. This seeks to cover the "shock of upfront costs" and expand ongoing allowances to all twin families.
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Parental leave per baby: Currently, families of multiples receive the same Paid Parental Leave as singletons. AMBA proposes adding 16 weeks of leave for each child beyond the first, aligning Australia with other OECD nations.
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In-home support network for multiple birth families: To address high domestic demands, AMBA recommends including multiple birth families in the national In-Home Care program, providing 240 hours of support for twins and 1,560 hours for triplets or more.
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First 2000 days support package: Addressing the critical window from pregnancy to age five, during which 90% of a child’s brain development occurs. This program acknowledges that while children grow, parents must also navigate the unique complexities of raising twins, triplets, or more.
As the only organisation uniquely positioned to support these families, AMBA’s structured system offers specialised education, community playgroups, and a pioneering text-messaging program. This digital tool is the first of its kind to provide targeted advice for multiple birth challenges and the complexities of premature babies.
Multiple birth families face unique challenges that require unique and targeted solutions. There is an urgent need to modernise and expand support so that all families receive equitable and meaningful help during these critical early years.
