stokesy43

My wife is quite keen to get a job when we arrive in Oz but obviously with a 6 month old baby we would have to find childcare. Does anyone have any experiences on the cost of childcare in Melbourne and also the likely waiting lists?

Many Thanks
Stokesy

NickyP

We are outside Melbourne but in our town there are private daycare facilities costing approx $50 per day (rebates etc are possible through centrelink depending on income). They seem fine here just can't afford anything like that for my youngest at the moment. As for waiting lists if it is anything like where we are then there will be a shortage and you should contact some of the closer ones before heading out and make it a priority to get sorted when you get there. The ones by us are ABC Kids but not sure if they are just in our area or in the city as well.
Good luck.
Nicky

stokesy43

$50 per day. Crikey I'd take that I was expecting more like $80-90. We were quoted £35 here in the UK. I won't be on PR visa so I won't get any rebates.

NickyP

Same here but it may well be more in the city are we are out in the country and aren't as rich as you city folk .
Nicky

fraser

ABC are everywhere.

Parker

Have no experience of Melbourne but in Sydney Childcare waiting lists are very long. If you know where you may settle then find the childcare, ring them up and put your child on the waiting list. There's usually a fee but in Sydney the waiting lists can be up to 2 years long so do it now. Saying that we got a full time place after about 8 months and are only paying $63 per day which is relatively cheap. Expect to pay between 70 and 90 per day. Hopefully Melbourne is easier than Sydney which is a nightmare.
Good Luck
Parker

Mrs Rangersman

Also there is family daycare which is the equivalent of childminders. Can get a list from local shires.

teza

I know, i work for them
see www.childcare.com.au