lucy.summers

Hi all.

We are hoping to move to Perth early 2006 on Aus Sponsered perm res visa. I know you don't get social security etc for first two years but does this include any maternity payments? i.e. if I fell pregnant in those first two years would I be elegible for any maternity pay that Oz has?

Thanks for any advice

Lucy.

HiddenPaw

Hi Lucy
Australia does not have a govt-funded maternity allowance scheme. Additionally, company-funded maternity pay is uncommon in Australia, except within a few larger companies (such as some of the big banks).

However, you should be entitled to unpaid maternity leave from any employer (as I recall).

A baby bonus of $3000 is all that is offered by the govt - this is a one-off payment for every child born to citizens or permament residents - a kind of sweetener for the lack of govt maternity pay.

Good luck

JAJ

Not all welfare payments are subject to the 2 year wait period. Visit http://www.centrelink.gov.au

You should be eligible for Family Tax Benefit, but I believe this does have a means test (most Australian welfare payments do).

If you have PR your Australia born child will be an Australian citizen automatically - although I don't know if this helps in welfare matters.

The 2 year period does not apply to Medicare.

Jeremy

teach

Hi Lucy,
Good question. Something I need to consider also as my clock is ticking (34) and have been waiting until we get a new life. Best wishes.
Sarah

worzel

I misread that the first time and thought it said "sponsored sperm" I thought "wow!" that is a really progressive new visa category

owieb

There are several sites on the matter:

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/info_for_teachers/pregnancy/
http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intgui...nity_leave.htm

Reading these sites paid maternity leave is not compulsory for private sector companies; public sector employees get maternity leave, but you normally have to work for 12 months with a company to be able to have any benefits.

I'm not 100% sure how accurate this information is, but I'm pretty sure it's fairly recent.

My wife is due to go on maternity leave (she works for a large private company) and originally was only allowed 6 weeks paid maternity leave, providing she had worked with the company for 12 months. However, they have recently changed this to 3 months paid leave. They have to provide her with a job at the same level/salary that she is currently on, providing she returns within 12 months.

Hope this helps.

THYE.A.

You may be entitled to Family Tax Benefit part A and B, to the maximum rate if both of you not working and have at least one child under certain age.

If you rent, you may be entitled to Rent Assistance.

All these do not have the 2 years waiting period.

joh117

I am preganant and I will not get any maternity pay from my company. I have to have worked with them for 12 months to be entitled to my job being there after 12 months unpaid maternity leave.

After a few months in Oz you realise you get very little in comparison to the UK. I have to pay to see the doctor every month but do get some back through medicare.

I got my dating scan under medicare but my 11 wk scan to check for Down Syndrome I have to pay for $60 at a bulkbill place. I am unable to claim anything back from Medicare as this is not a routine scan. (I am not in the at risk category I am under 30 but the doctor wanted me to have one and I feel I should).

I will get $3000 when the baby is born. This will help a little not quite the same as paid maternity pay. My companies arguement is that is they pay they will go bankcrupt!! Mad only 2 female staff work there that are young enough to have kids.

The parent company provides 3 months paid leave but my company doesn't which I find hard to believe that the parent company can do one thing subsidiarys can have different policies!!

Oh well never mind I have to concentrate on me and bub. We can't change what will be

Jo

miriam

I've been in australia since May and must have got pregnant the day I arrived - you have to pay a contribution towards your ante--natal appointments and scans, however I have been really satisfied wiht the level of care compard to the NHS>

you are entitled to $3000 cash payment - but i have had trouble getting a job since we settled in sydney in August since i look pregnant! It seems pretty sexist here compared ot the uk.

lucy.summers

Thanks for all the replies - seems less than UK but won't put me off having the second little nipper!!

joh117

Tell me about the sexist thing. There was a chance of job movement at my work and they said I wouldn't get it as pregnant. How bad is that?? I already work there so which ever job I do I will be going off on maternity.

We arrived in Feb and I fell pregnant in August. At least I had time to settle in and get a job.

I agree with the level of service. My mates (aussie) slag off the public system for maternity. But when I went for my scan I was 1/2 hr early and was seen straight away. Not like the UK where you are expected to wait hours past your appointment

Jo

miriam

There are pros adn cons to living in sydney compared to london but the healthcare is far superior. i think i would be frightened to have a baby in the UK after the experience with my first child. Here they have even linked me to an ante-natal support group since i'm a new migrant. in camden, my surgery resembled a refugee camp