Working Mummies Support Group #3

I see the changes to childcare have been announced - (won't really effect me personally as coming in, in 2017 so DS will be in school so the cost is dramatically less anyway), bit of a mixed bag (especially the removal of current funding for some groups and tying it to the FTB reforms) - the bit I really approve of is the removal of the cap for most people

"Families earning under $185,000 will not have a cap on their subsidy amount. Those earning more than $185,000 will have a cap of $10,000."

It is at least a recognition that it is the CCR Cap that is way out of step with current childcare prices. (Mine go up again in June another $8 a day 7% up to $118 for 3/4 and $123 if younger)

:

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The Abbott government has unveiled its long-promised childcare package pledging more money for many families from 2017 but stripping others of nearly all of the childcare assistance they currently receive.

Here's how the current system, the government's proposed system and suggestions by the Productivity Commission stack up:

Childcare changes: "More affordable and more accessible childcare," says Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Current system:

* A Child Care Benefit, which is means tested.
* A Child Care Rebate, which is not means tested.
* Jobs, Education and Training Fee Assistance for parents who qualify for the maximum rate of the Child Care Benefit.

Productivity Commission report:

Combine all three payments into a single means-tested subsidy.

New government policy:

Combine all three payments into a means-tested single subsidy, with additional payments for disadvantaged and vulnerable children.

PAYMENT AMOUNTS
Current system:

Varies depending on work and income circumstances. The Child Care Rebate covers 50 per cent of out-of-pocket child care expenses up to a maximum of $7,500 per child per year. Means-tested Benefit for a non-school aged child is $4.10 an hour.

Productivity Commission report:

A subsidy rate set at the median price across different services. Families at or below $60,000 get 85 per cent back and families at or above $250,000 get 20 per cent back. For children under three, $7.40 per hour rate for long day care, $6.94 for all children in family day care and as well as nannies.

New government policy:

Families earning up to $65,000 will get 85 per cent back per child of the actual fee or benchmark price (whichever is lower). Families on about $170,000 and above will get 50 per cent back. The subsidy rate is based on projected mean price in 2017, plus 17.5 per cent for long day care and 5.75 per cent for family day care. This will be $11.55 an hour for long day care, $10.70 for family day care and $7.00 for nannies.

Families earning under $185,000 will not have a cap on their subsidy amount. Those earning more than $185,000 will have a cap of $10,000.

WORK REQUIREMENTS
Current system:

Parents are currently able to access 24 hours of the means-tested Child Care Benefit per child each week without having to meet a work or study test. The non-means-tested Child Care Rebate requires both partners to work or train "at some time" during the week.

Productivity Commission:

Both parents need to work or study for 24 hours a fortnight to qualify for childcare subsidies. Would be exempt if they are on income support payments.

New government policy:

Parents will have to work between 8 and 16 hours a fortnight to get 36 hours of subsidy over the same period. If they work up to 48 hours, they will get 72 hours of benefit. If they work 49 hours they will get the full 100 hours of benefit. Families earning less than $65,000 a year will get up to 24 hours per fortnight of childcare.

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I update my income and now I get 0% ccb cause of their stupid system flagging my acc incase of an over payment so stupid

BD that will reset after June 1st xxx

Yeah I know but until then I have to pay $1000 a fn

Sucks doesn't it :(
I'd change your income back.

It certainly sucks and is something as my income fluctuates enormously (I would so prefer to be permanent) now with only one in childcare it doesn't hit so hard. Will be interesting to see how they manage this type of situation if only one payment, currently if your CCB goes down to 0% at least you still get the CCR (although if already at cap no help) and then they sort it out at the end of the year. I would have had major issues if lost everything, but then the limits on the proposed payments are higher I would not have reached anyway,

My work situation is changing. Doing an interstate move, but get to keep my job so far at reduced hours.
FTB is stuffed for this year due to a payout for DH from his old job. Can't estimate next year as we are not 100% of the new jobs pay (there is oncall etc). Also my hours are up in the air.

The new CCB hours test will be hard, as I may be dropped to 10 hours a week. Whilst I don't need daily childcare, I will need to access vacation care. With two kids, makes it a loss making week.

So you are moving Astrid? Apart from the work stuff - is it a good move?

At least the benchmark rates seem not to bad, I was concerned that the benchmarks would be very low compared to actual fees in some areas. Although if where I am increases by 7 to 10 percent a year as has been the path so far then by 2017 the gap will be reasonable again. I hope it is the staff who are getting the benefit of these fee increases but I doubt they are seeing anywhere near a 7% rise per year. I think if I was choosing childcare center again that would be one thing I would look at, whether there is any transparency about where the money is spent. I don't object to centers making a profit but every year the same old "maintain the high standard, rent increases etc etc" is trotted out for the reasons for the increases.

Yeah, interstate move for DH's work and so we can be closer to family.
My boss needs me here till over the EOY, then I move. Was going to work from home about 15 hours per week, a drop from 22. Now he is talking about less then 10, but really needs my skill set. So feeling pretty annoyed about it and am keeping an eye on job ads.

Exciting Astrid - (well I hope it is exciting) - the thought of a move excites me, I don't really want to move but if work for either of us dictated it, I think I would be quite enthusiastic - I have never lived anywhere as an adult as long as here, maybe that is why. Hope the work stuff sorts itself out.

Yes the hours test I wonder how it will work itself out - I mean after I had DS I still kept DD in daycare 2 days a week to maintain her place and to give me a break - but I wasn't on maternity leave (had been contracting), wasn't eligble for PPL (due to the odd rules about length of time being more important than hours of work) - so I wouldn't have met their new working requirements, our family income would have been under the 65,000 at that time so would have just qualified for the up to 24 hours but only just and if I had ended up working during that tax year would have put us over - but $220 a week for childcare is a huge amount for a an income just over 65,000. Personally I think everyone should be eligible to up to 24 hours of care with a rebate level according to family income. I think the whole ethos of 'forcing' people back to work (especially during the first year) is misguided, I won't mention the whole double dipping saga - the government are clueless.

I have been approaching work with a new positive attitude - it is sort of helping - DH is still at home so that helps because he is dealing with most of the home stuff (although financially is not great at all). I am taking the morning off because I want to get to a parents association meeting at the school - and they keep swapping what are meant to be evening meetings to the daytime, it was meant to be the AGM but now it isn't - but am going to go anyway so at least I can see what they are all about and if I am really bothered about the fact they are all daytime. It is annoying having to get time off and lose the pay especially as DH isn't working - but either I can put my point across and get them to have some evening meetings or after having been I will be able to get over it :-)

I got my start date and roster, they were really helpful and letting me go back .3 instead of .5 plus gave me shifts i wanted, and set shifts to help the transition. Best bit is they gave me every sunday arvo, highest paying shift =) so Spock only has to be in care one day so with care savings and getting every sunday ill be making more than enough money to cover everytging despite less hours.
Im not stressing as much as i was about leaving Quark. When she was a tiny newborn, i could only picture her tiny and didnt want to leave her, but now she is bigger, she is sitting up and when i start next month will be able to have solids, im better with it. Plus we realised she could even take milk in a sippy cup instead of bottle, so that makes me feel better.
Im actually looking forward to getting back to work...crazy

That is great TT40 that they have been so helpful and that you are feeling better about it - I don't think is that crazy to look forward to it, when you are happy with the hours and care arrangements makes it easier to remember the bits you like about working.

Omg i did it, i finished my diploma in just 4 months and 4 days. I am absolutely shattered after doing this, working full time and 2 kids under 3. But its done woohoo.
Sorry for being completely MIA for so long. How is everyone?

Woo hoo Mumma T - congratulations - I am in awe - I have never managed to study successfully and work let alone with kids as well.

I am good, enjoying work more, but still hating the commute. School still irritates me with its lack of consideration for working parents. DH is still looking for work - him out of work might be reason I am enjoying mine more because there are less home pressures. Hope he gets one soon though has been 2 months now and more than 3 we would find tough and be in the same old - can't afford the childcare for DS but can't take him out game.

Thanks :) Its great you are able to enjoy the job a bit more at present. I hope your hubby finds something soon

First day back to work today..... my poor parents, Quark cracks it when im 2 ft away.... i think ill be ok cause ill be busy at work, but am worried for my little one

Good luck!!

Hopefully she'll be fine, and so interested in the new change, that she won't have a chance to be upset :)

Big hugs xx

How did she go TT?

I tell ya what this is a bloody hard gig :( maybe it's time to reassess