Cost of daycare / childcare

[Mimi]

Hi Compp,
Phew, I almost had a heart attack, I thought the rules changed (from previous experiences) and checked the immi site again. We are going under Higher Education Sector: Temporary Visa (Subclass 573) -Assessment Level 1.
With this visa, he is allowed to work 20 hours a week during his course and unlimited hours during course breaks and I will be able to work unlimited hours when his course starts.

Thanks for letting me know though and I hope this info will help someone else.

Regards,
Mimi

[zaina]

Childcare seems really expensive! We are going to move to Melbourne in September and I guess we then would have to pay $100-200 for our two children for full time. What is the most common thing to do in Australia - start working and put children in day care or stay home? Do you get paid in any way during your parental leave?

In Sweden you get paid 80-90 % of your salary for about 480 days. This money can be spread out over a longer period of time (up until the child is 8 years old) for example you can take out perhaps 50 % of your parental leave money the first 1 year and perhaps 50% the second year which means you can stay home longer if it is possible for your family to survive on less money. As I understand many parents stay home with their children until the child is about 1 1/2 years old and then the parents start working and put their children in day nursery. Think full time day nursery costs about $400 a month per child. On the other hand I believe the salaries are in general lower in Sweden then in Australia. Not sure how much though.

I am very curious about Australia and our "new" country and it is interesting to compare how things work in different places. Grateful to anyone who takes the time to answer my questions.

[sgilli3]

Originally Posted by zaina

Childcare seems really expensive! We are going to move to Melbourne in September and I guess we then would have to pay $100-200 for our two children for full time. What is the most common thing to do in Australia - start working and put children in day care or stay home? Do you get paid in any way during your parental leave?

In Sweden you get paid 80-90 % of your salary for about 480 days. This money can be spread out over a longer period of time (up until the child is 8 years old) for example you can take out perhaps 50 % of your parental leave money the first 1 year and perhaps 50% the second year which means you can stay home longer if it is possible for your family to survive on less money. As I understand many parents stay home with their children until the child is about 1 1/2 years old and then the parents start working and put their children in day nursery. Think full time day nursery costs about $400 a month per child. On the other hand I believe the salaries are in general lower in Sweden then in Australia. Not sure how much though.

I am very curious about Australia and our "new" country and it is interesting to compare how things work in different places. Grateful to anyone who takes the time to answer my questions.

Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave is available.
It will vary from employer to employer, but I believe you are entitled to 12 months unpaid leave after 12 continuous months of service (full time, part time and casual)

Maternity leave generally isnt paid, unless it is stipulated in your work contract/agreement from your employer.

Many people return to work early due to either financial or career reasons, whereas others, like myself have been a stay at home mum for over 10 years, and have no plans on ever returning to the workforce.

Each persons situation will vary.
You can recieve childcare benefits from Centrelink

[zaina]

Thanks a lot for the information sgilli3 :-).