Originally Posted by daunted (Post 8075403)

thanks guys - i didnt post for admiration just to put a true picture across. Pommie its good to hear you now signed up - look forward to hearing from you on here - its a fab site and plays a big part in me keeping it together and informed about what is going on.

Originally Posted by homewardbound (Post 8075621)

I should probably update you all too... I keep meaning to do an update thread but don't feel I have much to say LOL!

I too am a single mum with a 14yo and 11yo about to start high school. I arrived in June 2008 - 17 months ago.

I settled in NSW south of Sydney... it is tough being a single parent anywhere but without the family support back in the UK it is doubly hard... there is no one there to have the kids when they are sick and if you get a job you will work whatever hours you have to to pay the rent, bills, food etc.

I have joint nationality so am fortunate enough to get Family Tax Benefit and currently Newstart allowance.

My first job was management in Sydney which I landed within 5 weeks of landing - I was up at 4.30am to get the train - biked there too until I got my first car... so that was 12 minutes downhill in the pitch black in the morning and 18 minutes uphill in the pitch black at night... after 4 months I physically couldn't do it anymore, 5 hours travelling each day, my boy was being bullied on the way home from school and I really felt on my own so I resigned... It took me another 7 months to gain full time employment and it was an unreal job with the government, with excellent pay although the hours were 12 - 8.30pm so again 7 months of not having dinner with my kids and the guilt at not being there for them but at least I had good money coming in, I bought a new car, new bed, a horse for my daughter life was brilliant. Then last month I found myself redundant thanks to the economy not being as bad as they expected and now I'm back on Newstart but with the extra expenses incurred it doesnt go as far as it did the first time!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed I am successful on Monday for an interview - a good job, normal hours and good pay. Wish me luck, I need it.

If I have any advise - get your citizenship as soon as you can so that you can claim CCB, FTB and 2 years down the track any unemployment benefits should you need them.

Overall, I like being independant here and not living in the pockets of others like in the UK. The kids have settled brilliantly, I'm not overly impressed with the state schools, my 11yo has declined significantly but I have him in a catholic boys school for high school so I am hoping for a good improvement. My daughters catholic girls school has been brilliant, any problems they go out of their way to assist and she is very well regarded by her teachers and peers in a very short amount of time.

I don't think I had the emotional upheavel that Daunted had... I grew up here, here feels like home to me and my mum and dad emails/skypes ALL the time so it's not like we are apart really. LOL

I have a few really good friends but I'm usually too busy with the kids to socialise much.

Originally Posted by jazzys (Post 8126118)

Hey Mandy if i say thats a great post, your very brave and a hard worker will it get me back on your christmas card list?

Yep she's some girl is our daunted, i'm in a similar position but have just had a further knock in that i've been made redundant and in two weeks we fly back to the uk for nearly a month. Which means i will have no income at all for about 2 months :eek:

I'm about to sign on the dole next week so if anyones interested in what i'd be entitled to, tune in next week for an update.

Well done mandy, keep it up girl. here's to the next two

PS wish i could afford an ensuite to cry in :rofl:

Jazzys xxx

Originally Posted by jazzys (Post 8126118)

Hey Mandy if i say thats a great post, your very brave and a hard worker will it get me back on your christmas card list?

Yep she's some girl is our daunted, i'm in a similar position but have just had a further knock in that i've been made redundant and in two weeks we fly back to the uk for nearly a month. Which means i will have no income at all for about 2 months :eek:

I'm about to sign on the dole next week so if anyones interested in what i'd be entitled to, tune in next week for an update.

Well done mandy, keep it up girl. here's to the next two

PS wish i could afford an ensuite to cry in :rofl:

Jazzys xxx

Originally Posted by homewardbound (Post 8075621)

...
If I have any advise - get your citizenship as soon as you can so that you can claim CCB, FTB and 2 years down the track any unemployment benefits should you need them.
...

Originally Posted by fish.01 (Post 8126648)

Great posts.


Just a point about this. You do not need citizenship to claim family benefits.

If you are a PR you can claim from day 1 of arrival.

From: Payments if you have a permanent residence visa

In general, social security payments from Centrelink are only available to people who reside in Australia and are either Australian citizens or holders of permanent visas. In addition, most social security payments and concession cards, except Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Benefit, have a two year newly arrived resident's waiting period. There are some exemptions, e.g. refugee and humanitarian visa holders. Some pension payments have their own 'qualifying residence' requirements with some exceptions. Also, some services are only available when receiving a payment from Centrelink.


Rent Assistance has no waiting period either.

Originally Posted by daunted (Post 8126855)

Thanks fish - always good to make sure everyone knows what they are entitled to:thumbsup::wub:

Originally Posted by rabsody (Post 8127026)

Good post. It does make me wonder though whether it was all worth it for you and your kids. No disrespect, I've done the single parent thing in Aus (different circumstances, we split after moving), the lack of family, the lack of support network etc, I know how damned hard it is. I hope everything pays off dividends for you. :thumbup: