[kelly]

Hi,
Can anyone advise me how mush it is for childcare in Perth? This is our preferred destination, but I don’t know if I can afford to work with a 3-year-old needing childcare?

[PamInPerth]

Hi kelly,

Both my children are past the childcare stage, but I have a friend who pays $65 a day for nursery care for her child. If you need childcare on an everyday basis, then you can often get quite a good reduction on the daily cost.

Also, this figure is without child care benefit and rebate - if you qualify for those then the cost of childcare can be reduced quite considerably.

This list of prices is from http://www.careforkids.com.au



Nanny.... $10-$25 per hour live in $14-$35 per hour live out (+agency fee)
Nanny sharing.... $10+ per hour per family (+agency fee)
Au pair.... $80-$120 pocket money per week (+agency fee)
Mother's help.... $10 per hour live in $16 per hour live out (+agency fee)
Long day care (child care centre).... $55-$105 per day
Pre-school.... $32-$40 per day
Family day care.... $4.50-$7.50 per hour dependent on geographical location and service
In-home care.... $20-$25 per hour
Babysitter.... $10-$25 per hour (+agency fee)
Outside of School Hours Care.... $15-$20 per day

[kelly]

Thanks for the info on prices. It seems quite expensive. I'm planning on working part-time to begin with, maybe full-time later on. It doesn't look as though it will be worth my while at those prices.

Can you tell me how the rebate works? I've not heard of this before.

[PamInPerth]

Child care benefit is an income tested benefit for qualifying families using child care. The maximum benefit for one child is $180, for two children is $376.21 per week. You can pay reduced childcare fees which saves you having to wait and claim anything back at the end of the year.

Qualifying parents are also entitled to a 50% rebate on childcare costs through childcare rebate and this is not income tested. There is a maximum limit that you can claim though.

For full details you can visit http://www.familyassist.gov.au/internet/fao/fao1.nsf/content/payments-ccb and http://www.familyassist.gov.au/Internet/FAO/fao1.nsf/content/faq-child_care_rebate.htm

Effectively you and your partner need to have residency and be studying, working or actively looking for work to qualify. It's a big saving for most families and the rebate has recently been increased from 30% to 50%.

[kelly]

Thanks for the info. The child rebate makes a big difference to things. I'm still working out the child benefit - not sure if we will qualify or not - but a 50% reduction on childcare is great!

[Housewife]

Here's a link to the careforkids website http://www.careforkids.com.au/search/ccresults.asp?areaID=385.

There's lots of choice and you can get an idea of the range of fees and the types of childcare on offer.

[kelly]

Thanks. It's quite a handy site with a red vacancies sign if there are places available.:)