Hi

Im currently looking at returning to work, i have 4 kids 2 at school, i am constantly checking all possible incomes from job adds with the centerlink estimater and everything seems to come back im no better off!!!

Can this be right? If i return to work part time and dont use child care then i can be better off by approx $80 a week but if i use childcare then i dont see how i will better off at all.

Surely this cant be right? Has anyone else just returned to work? Are you actually better off?
im so confused, i am finding it really hard to justify returning to work but i really do need to for us to stay on top of things.

thanks
mandymoo

Hi Mandymoo

This was us a few months back. We worked out our budget and for us even with 3 kids at CC 3 days per week we are better off with me working - so that was an easy decision! DH & I discussed it though and even if we broke even with me working as what I would get not working I decided to still work at least a few days per week. I want to further my career and the kids love childcare - plus TBH I was going a bit stir crazy being home full time.

Plus remember if you use childcare you will get the childcare rebate. We worked out that I will only be making approx $350 a fortnight for 3 days per week (after CC costs) but every 12 weeks we will get approx $2k childcare rebate - so it is a nice forced savings. So technically we will be heaps in front iykwim. I prefer getting it as a lump sum and not split over the 12 weeks because I think we would just fritter it away.

Can you possibly work around your DH's schedule so you can not use CC?

Mandymoo I agree with Rach.... a couple of years back when I started work again I was only clearing about $20 a day after taking into account childcare costs for two (ouch). It's much better now.. and also we now only have one in CC, and the rebate sure helps! I enjoyed returning to work, even though at first I was in a job that didn't interest me that much, it was good to meet some new people etc etc.

Good luck with your decision making.

On a weekly basis, I'm coming out about $50 a week ahead after childcare and preschool costs. (not including petrol to get to work, lunches etc)

Are you taking into account the childcare rebate? - getting half your childcare fees back is a big help.

Also, keep in mind you will be adding to your super as well - long term financial advantage.

Thanks everyone!!

Well i have to say i didnt even think about the CC rebate.

When you all put it like that its really not as bad as i thought it is. I like the idea of a forced savings with the CC fees and rebate.

Thanks soo much , i feel a lot better now

I was getting so down about it all as i want to help get us ahead but it just seemed hopeless, i suppose once im back in the work force it will be easier to get better jobs later on.

thanks again
mandymoo

http://members.essentialbaby.com.au/index....howtopic=565035

lots of different points of views on here that may help you.

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Yes, it is worth it for my family unit. I work 3 days a week. We get childcare rebate and then the 50% every quarter which is not means tested.
I have two children and we come up a far amount each week. The only downfall is I am casual, when the children are sick or me (only had one day off due to gastro), I don't get paid but still have to pay childcare bills which does bite a bit into my earnings as well as public holidays.

BUT, Its not just about the earnings.... I enjoy the working and also being home with my kids the other days I don't work. It's a good balance for us and the long term benifts of keeping my super rolling on and my foot in the working door.

Yep it can be. This is one thing that only you can work out. If I just worked my normal hours (2 days a week) I would be able to get the same weekly amount from FA as I earn after tax. : The thing that makes it worthwhile for us is the on call and overtime I work. This can actually double my pay some fortnights.

Its hard to work out exactly what you will have in your pocket without actually working as you will not really know your CCB and the rebate amounts until you do.

The rebate isn't means tested - you get the 50% back no matter how much you earn.

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Well, centrelink told you wrong. Or you misunderstood.

I cannot believe someone would choose not to work because they'd lose their benefits.

Shocking.

superwifemum - Each to their own I say - we're all just trying to make our own way and if your kids are happy and better off with you at home then you do what's best for your family.

I think you might possible be confusing the Child Care Rebate (which everyone is entitled too - there is NO means test so even people on $200,000 can get it!) with the Child Care Benefit, which IS means tested.

The CHild Care rebate has just gone from 30% up to 50%, which makes a huge difference for us. We now are effectively only paying $31 a day for our DS, instead of $62 a day. If you spoke to Centrelink before the rebate increased earlier this year then you might want to talk to them again, as its now made child care a lot more affordable.

Good luck to all other mums going back to work. I went back when DS was 6 months (because I wanted to), and wouldn't be without my job - I love it. I think if you're going to go back then you need to find something that you love and will make you happy. No point in heading out each day and putting kids in child care for a job that you don't enjoy.

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