Kell -yes as I said in place first place

I don't think any payments apply

a) if you are paid maternity leave (until it runs out)
b) if you have a husband who is working

A married/defacto couple's income is assessed as a whole and if low income (or variable) you might get some allowance but nothing if you husband is working and you have no other dependents.
You wrote
My friend who use to work at my work left a month before she had her baby and went to centrelink who paid her fortnightly until the baby was born. I think she just had to give them a letter from work stating she'd stopped work for maternity leave and they then gave her a sort of Job Seek allowance. She didnt have to look for any jobs as others do because she gave a certificate from her doctor stating she wasnt fit for work. Talk to your local centrelink office because im sure alot of people are doing the same and can do so.
Was she already a single mother ?
My friend was a single mother at the time
or was she pregnant ? I am a bit confused. If she was also living with her partner his income would have been assessed :-k -


Unfortunately, in Shinee (Leah's) case with a hard working DH (who she said earns 3 times as much as she does - she in in my BB group) - I don't think she would get anything unless he had low income. Also considering she still has 5 months to go - is young and healthy - it would be unlikely her DR would give her a certificate to say she is unfit to work.

I wish it was so easy - there would be lots of mothers ( & mums to be) on BB who would love to be SAHM and be paid by government to raise their kids. Or be paid whilst pg and not feeling up to working :sleeping:.

Those that want to work can but sadly too many have to with mortgages and just the cost of living.

They write how sad they are leaving bub at home with someone else even Dad /Grandma or the high cost of childcare and it hardly being worth working.


Rachy - they can't knock you for telling the truth - good on you. It is hard when pregnant and tired to be forced to work or find work .Like Tegan said - who wants to employ a pregnant lady :smt102.
Goodluck in your new place. I read it somewhere else. Hope you get all the things you need soon.


I think the government should encourage more family assistance and tax relief so that mums who want to can stay home with their bubs/children. Also encourage employers to give longer or paid maternity (tax deductions) and extra unpaid leave for those who want it before and after baby is due.

It is unfair the government is planning on forcing single mothers back into workforce after the kids go to school or reduce $$$ assistance.