Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

Hubby & I here since 2011 on 176 visa. Our first baby due July 2014. I'm full time aged care worker, hubby unemployed. Nervous/worried/anxious for when I stop work. What help will we get (if any) and for what duration?

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

Have you spoken to your employer/

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

Told them about pregnancy but they waiting until closer to time to sort specifics (duration I can work, length of maternity leave, etc) just worried about buying baby things, hospital bills, paying utilities & rent.

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

As a PR you would qualify family tax benefits and if renting, rental assistance. Have a look here http://www.humanservices.gov.au/cust...s-for-families

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

That's a big help, thank you!

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

You'd get the 18 weeks statutory maternity pay - it's minimum wage $622 a week.

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

Thought could only get family tax benefit if we have other children?
(Really confused!)

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

Use this calculator

https://www.centrelink.gov.au/RateEs...eEstimatorView

Should estimate what you are entitled to in terms of family tax benefits, click on 'estimate family tax benefits' and check the box to estimate the child care benefit and child care rebate.

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

Are you planning to go private for the birth? Just with you saying hospital bills.

Our son was born here (in Sydney) under the public system. As I opted for shared care (some appointments with a GP and some with the hospital), I did have to pay the usual doctor's fee. I guess you could get around that with a bulk-billing GP. Or not opt for shared care! But my scans, all my hospital appointments and the birth were all covered by Medicare, so free. More importantly, ICU was free, too, when the Gorilla ended up there. :)

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

Use the calculators shown, as PRs your baby will be Australian by birth as born here, entitled to FTBs (family tax benefits), or rather you are as a mother. They payments are calculated per child so yes, first born is counted it, payments increase per child (not much and depending on parent income). As your partner is unemployed and you will not be working, I dare say you would qualify for health care card as well so please look into that as well.

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

Hi Katie Cat - re. paid maternity leave, remember that you need to have worked for 10 of the 13 months preceding your baby's birth.

Not really up on the 176 visa conditions, but you should check if you/your husband would be eligible for an income payment such as Newstart if you find that you can't return to work after the 18 months paid mat. leave (if hubby's still not working, that is) I think there's a 2 year qualifying period, which you will more than meet, but check it out on the Dept. Human Services and Immi websites. Good luck with the bub :starsmile:
Edit: whoops! 18 weeks paid maternity leave, not 18 months. Sorry!

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

Oh wow!! So much I didn't know, thank you, thank you!!!!

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

We had a health care care when we first arrived and I had my wisdom teeth taken out in the chair using the health care card system, in and out in 15 mins no dramas and no bills :)

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

The health care card would definitely help - both in need of check ups!

Had a dark cloud over me yesterday but I see sunshine ahead! Looks like I can even enjoy my baby!! Thanks!!!

Re: Help/advice about having a baby in Oz
 

No worries, enjoy the pregnancy and baby, centrelink are very helpful, give them a call and odds are being first time customer, you'll need to go in for an appointment but after that it's pretty routine (payments arrive fortnightly, any changes you can update online). If you qualify for healthcare card it usually means automatic bulk billing at doctors, prescription are flat rate of $5 or something like it, most power and gas companies offer discounts for HC card holders, also car rego in some state will be cheaper with it.