Hi IMs. My husband and I have recently found out we are expecting a baby at the end of the year. We are excited, but I am also very stressed as we just signed our first mortgage papers and Im worried about how we are going to be able to afford the new addition. I work 36 hours per fortnight and Im a casual employee so I know I wont be entitled to Maternity leave. I know there is paid parental leave through centrelink, which is $600 per week I believe? This is fantastic but the payments only last for 18 weeks. Then what? Unfortunately we are not in a position where I am able to stay home. Currently I get $30 per fortnight from Centrelink. Will this go up once I have the baby? If not, I will be back at work when my baby is 18 weeks old and he will be in daycare. I love being a working mum but putting a baby in childcare at that age makes me uneasy. And before you say it, I have tried calling centrelink numerous times but have been put on hold for hours on end which I cant do at work. So I thought id see if anyone knows much about how it works. Thankyou in advance :-)
3 Replies
Start with the payment finder they have online. There's also a payment estimator. Centrelink varies a lot depending on your circumstances and you and your husbands income. If you want to speak to them go into their office and see them in person, they're hopeless over the phone.
Yes, you will get more from centrelink when you have another child. Also, try to live on half the $600 a week, so $300 a week. And save the rest. So you can double the time it covers. That would take you to nearly 6 months old. And really, really, really look at your budget. I've been a stay at home Mum, when my hubby was earning 40K and 90K. Made absolutely no difference to me. I just budgeted and cut back accordingly. Reducing how much you spend on groceries is a big one for some people. I don't throw ANYTHING out when I clean my fridge. I don't ever over-purchase. So I plan my meals for the week (on the cuff according to specials), use cheap cleaning products (bicarb and vinegar cleans EVERYTHING). When we were on a small income, we never bought food when we went out. Some people have HUGE bills on eating out. Look at all your bills. Do you have foxtel? Gym memberships? Is your phone plan a large one that you could reduce? Right now, while you're pregnant and working, put away as much money as you can and try to reduce all your bills. It's all about planning. Right now I'm a SAHM (although just about to go back to work). My husband earns 80K a year, so we don't get very much from centrelink. About $150 a week. But we have a mortgage of 340K, rates, water, insurance... and I can still save every week. All my friends tell me they need 120K to live comfortably. It's all a matter of perspective and what's more important. You may not get a family holiday etc.. But if you're home with your baby and that's what you want, then it's 100% doable on ANY income (supported by a partner - single parents have it very tough!). I truly believe that.
You will get more from Centrelink once Bub is born. As far as ppl goes, if you simply can't afford to stay at home after the 18 weeks ends you might just have to go back to work. I had to with my eldest after 12 weeks (that was before ppl so only my works maternity leave). Another option if you are open to it is changing your mortgage to interest only for a short amount of time - this will reduce your monthly required repayment, but once it comes off interest only and is back on principal and interest, your repayments increase a bit to cover the principal that wasn't paid during your interest only period. I hope that makes sense lol. Keep in mind too, you have until the end of the year, even paying a little more on bills now can help you out in having a little longer off when he baby arrives :) Best of luck!