Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone can shed light on this for me. I have tried to use the online estimators, but it's very difficult to be accurate as our income changes (self-employed so assessed by Complex Assessment Officer).

Basically, I am trying to work out whether I'm better off with baby bonus or maternity leave.

Presently we get PP, FTA/B, and rent assistance. As I understand it, if I take maternity leave payments they are taxable, and will therefore decrease PP, FTA/B and rent assistance. If I take BB, it doesn't affect the other payments. Is this correct?

Are you basically better off with BB if you receive substantial other support, and with mat leave if you are stopping work from a fairly decent salary?

Oh looking forward to the day when we receive nothing from CL - I'm so grateful that it's there as a backup, but it's just so complicated - and the exciting thing is that we are actually progressing to that point!