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我老板经常自称自己是一对儿女的ATM机,他的孩子都近成人了。其实从孩子生下来,父母不但要付出时间精力养育照顾,大多数家庭的经济状况和收入也多少会受到影响。尤其是幼儿园的费用是一笔不小的支出。
相比国内区级政府办的幼儿园可以提供较好的条件,不到¥1000的月支出,这里的区政府council办的幼儿园都要$500一周,而且要等待不少于12个月。我去参观过council和私立goodstar幼儿园,总感觉条件不如国内,印象中我小时候上的幼儿园宽敞明亮,一个很大的园子;这里的室内环境偏昏暗,孩子用的塑料饮水杯看着脏兮兮的。很多初送孩子上幼儿园的父母也许都经历过孩子不断得病,不得不请假带回家看护的情况,请假期间 托费也要照付。一年$20,000(要用税后收入支付)的托费绝对是不小的支出。如果有2个或更多的孩子,真不如父母其中一人专职照顾孩子。当然也有请老人或亲戚来照看的,会带来一些其他的问题。
以下介绍了一些有条件的可以从政府领取的养儿补助,2012年的信息,有些数字并不是最新的,不准确,尽供参考,详细准确的资料要再核实。
大多数工作的父母除了可以领取Paid Parental Leave, 在送孩子上幼儿园后,也就只能最多领取$7500的child care benefits了。作为领取补助依据的收入都是税前收入。
Government benefits for families
Whether this is your first or fourth child, a common issue for all families is how they are going to manage financially. Most families will have a significant cut in income for at least the first few months after the baby arrives, and depending on how the parents juggle work, the family could be on a single income for years.
If you live in NZ check out our article on the government benefits available to you.
Luckily, there are a range of government benefits available to Australian families, which are managed by the government's Family Assistance Office. Here's quick run-down of what's available:
Paid Parental LeavePaid Parental Leave is now available for Australian families and is paid by the federal government. If you have earned less than $150,000 in the previous financial year before your child is born or adopted and you have been employed for at least 330 hours over 10 months of the previous 13 months, you may be eligible to get Paid Parental Leave.
Parental Leave Pay is paid at the rate of the National Minimum Wage for a maximum period of 18 weeks, which is currently $570 per week before tax (totaling $10,260 before tax). Parental Leave Pay is taxable. The rate of tax depends on your individual circumstances.
When a mother goes back to work, if she hasn't used the full 18 weeks of leave, the parental leave scheme is also available to the father or primary carer of the child if he is able to meet the eligibility criteria.
If you get Paid Parental Leave you are not able to also get the Baby Bonus, unless you have twins or more. If you have a multiple birth you may be eligible for Paid Parental Leave and the Baby Bonus.
If you have not worked and are not eligible for Paid Parental Leave then you can still claim the Baby Bonus. See our article on Paid Parental Leave for more information.
The Baby BonusThe Baby Bonus is a $5,294 payment to anyone who delivers a child, or who takes over as the primary carer of a newborn child within 26 weeks of the child's birth. It is paid as 13 fortnightly installments of $407. For adopted children, the child must have come into your care before the child is two years of age.
To be eligible your adjusted taxable family income in the six months after your child is born or adopted must be less than $75,000. You can not get the Baby Bonus and the Paid Parental Leave for the same child. If you have twins or more you may be eligible for both.
Family Tax BenefitsFamily Tax Benefit Part A is paid if you have at least one dependent child (can be up to age 24 if a full time student) and your family income is less than around $100,000 (this cut-off increases with the number of dependent children). The amount you will receive depends on the combination of income and number of children, and is worked out by the Government when you lodge your tax return.
Family Tax Benefit Part B gives extra assistance to families with one main income and dependent children under 18 years of age. You are eligible for payments if that one main income is less than $150,000. For two parent families, where both parents work, the second income must be less than around $4,500 to still be eligible.
The government requires you to have your child fully immunised to be eligible for the Family Tax Benefit A supplement. Read more about the link between government benefits and immunisation.
Child Care BenefitsThe Child Care Benefit is available if your child or a child in your care is fully immunised, attends a registered child care centre and your family income is less than around $120,000. You can choose to have your benefit paid either as a reduction of the child care fees during the year, or as a lump sum when you lodge your tax return.
There is also the Child Care Rebate which covers 50 per cent of out-of-pocket child care expenses for approved child care, with a rebate of up to $7,500 (indexed) per child per year. Generally you must have worked or have studied/trained while your child was in care to receive this benefit. You can have your Child Care Rebate payments paid directly to an approved centre, to you as regular payments or as a lump sum.
Other paymentsYou may also be eligible for other types of payments such as:
- Large Family Supplement for three or more children;
- Multiple Birth Allowance if three or more of your children were born at the same time;
- Rent Assistance which can give you extra help if you receive more than the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A and you pay rent to a private landlord;
- Health Care Cards, which are issued automatically if you receive the maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A and you get your payment through the Family Assistance Office.
- Jobs, Education and Training Child Care fee assistance which helps with the cost of approved child care for parents undertaking activities such as work, job search, training, study or rehabilitation as part of an activity agreement, to help them enter or re-enter the workforce.
There are several eligibility tests you must meet to qualify for different payments. Your family and individual income, the percentage of time the child is in your care, your Australian residency will also be considered when determining whether you are eligible for benefits. Most payments are made on a sliding scale depending on how many children you have and your income. Plus, the specific payment amounts and income levels change regularly.
A good place to start is the Department of Human Services, or visit your local Medicare or Centrelink office which usually includes a Family Assistance Office.
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Last reviewed: June 2012
http://www.babycenter.com.au/a562850/government-benefits-for-families?scid=au_en_mbtw_baby_post8m0w#ixzz3E6q73xuH
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