Questions about centrelink/childcare fees

I need to return to work. Of course to do this I would need to arrange childcare. I'm finding the prospect of this to be overwhelming. Can anyone give me some information about what kind of assistance I might be eligable for when it comes to cc fees?

I'm currently receiving part-parenting payments and FTB A+B. My situation is volatile right now and I am staring down the barrel of possibly doing this parenting gig alone, so need to know what kind of help I will get. You might wonder why I'm asking here instead of calling up centrelink...... my phone is disconnected. :doh:

If anyone can give me an idea of what might happen that would be great.

Centrelink have an online estimator where you can punch in your info and it will spit out a list of entitlements.

It's good for exploring different variables and scenarios.

The only problem is your entitlements from clink will be dependent on the amount if child support you receive (if you separate). So to get a truly accurate estimate, you will need to know about your child support entitlements.

Really N2L ? Mine don't come into it - Well notthat I was aware of.. I thought it depends on your "yearly estimate" to what percentage you would get. And if you are working and single you would be eligible for the Child Care rebate (50% of chidl care fees) that can be paid fortnightly or quartly.

Have a search around the faciliaties around you as well - some are cheaper then others.

Addit: Empty your inbox oxox

In my experience, single parents, who have seperated and are just getting into a job, often receive full CCB - so the fees are quite cheap - that will of course vary, depending on the type of job you get and your income.
You will also be able to get CCR - which you can opt to have paid to service to reduce out of pocket up front costs as well.

Cat, yeah, it does. Child support is considered like income so it is taken into account. (which is why they want to opt into the child support system).

Eta - it's also important to remember that CCR and CCB aren't (for example) 50 per cent (or whatever your entitlement is) directly off the whole amount of fees. the percentage is taken off the "allowable" part of the fees. There is usually a gap.

Childsupport isn't included in the yearly estimate is it tho? (please say no)

Well, you have to let them know your child support income, if that's what you mean...

Yea they know that it's all linked together with child support and centerlink... But the actual yearly estimate that you say I have earnt XYZ, do you have to add the Child support income into that as well...

Like Pension is $10 000 a year
and work is $20 000 a year
so yearly estimate is $30 000 a year...

but then you get $5000 from childsupport (is that amount added into your yearly 'working' estimate?

Sorry for the gatecrash Forshelby!

Hmmmm....not sure :think:

I don't get either CS or FA so not sure about annual estimates these days.

Maybe a question for BG or Eutraphalia.

Child support impacts ftb entitlement if you receive above a certain amount per annum. It doesn't impact child care

Things to might qualify for if on ppp. Child care benefit (100%). This is the maximum amount but isn't your while fees. It's the maximum of the allowable limit (just under $3.80) per hour. You'll also qualify for child care rebate. Which can be paid direct to the service.

If you are starting a new job (as opposed to returning to a job you've worked at previously) you may qualify by JET chil care for a few months. This is an additional reduction to child care fees for the first few months you work to help you transition back to work


The same is available if you are on pps

The online estimators can calculate child support as well as pps/ppp and family tax

Given you receive part ppp you wouldnt receive enough child support to impact ftb at all I don't think

If you need to call, every centrelink office has free phones to call clink or FAO. But you should be able to get a lot of info from the estimators online. I would budget in what you'd get in terms of ccb and ccr and count any jet entitlement as a bonus. It doesn't pay long term so you are best to work out your budget without it kwim?

Speak of the devil... ;) :p

Thank you everyone, this is all very confusing. I haven't spoken to DP since he stormed off and abandoned any parental responsibility for the evening by going to bed at 3pm. It feels scary to be considering all this, I feel like I'm plotting and scheming and that feels wrong- even though I know I'm doing the right thing for me and my son.

Wow, have I been brainwashed or what?

I think I'll head down to centrelink tomorrow and see them face to face since my phone is disconnected. How convenient.

they'll put you on the phone in the office hun - you'll get much more info that way. just be prepared for a bit of a wait so take a book or something with you!

I've been trying to PM you all week, but your inbox is full.

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