What really ****es me off about centerlink is how they decide their benefits! Rent is so pricey that a hundred or so a fortnight doesn't stretch that far. What gets up my goat even more is if you have a mortage to repy they don't give a toss! You get zip towards it! I hope you get some decent rent ass especially since you are a single mum!
Centrelink don't decide how much to pay you, the Government of the day do. Centrelink pensions and benefits are there to support people who have no other means of support. I agree that housing is not affordable in Australia.

Jennie, I hope you're able to find something affordable. If you do decide to start working and need to use childcare, make sure you apply for JET child care fee assistance - you will pay very little in child care fees for the first 6 months of working.