Thanks Mr Costello

[Susan Mac]

I've done a bit of thinking, and with the baby bonus and the family tax benefit (we get full part B and base rate part A) I think the government has paid for our baby entirely.

Though he is only 9 months old...

[shorty_851]

Funny that tis has been written on here today as i am in the middle of writing a letter to Mr Costello and a few other MPS in regards to the benefits.

Yesterday i posed the question as to why i will recieve nothing from the governement excpet for the baby bonus as my partner earns over 50K i was told i would receive some sort of entitlement so i rang them and asked and was told under no circumstances would i be recieving any of the benfits such as part A or B.

I feel quite upset as i have worked for the last god knows coz i was paying taxes at the age of 14 i feel that there should be a minimum for every family no matter how much they earn.

I feel as though the system stinks and i will be telling them in a few words they might understand

[punkbaby]

Surely your entitled to part family assistance not sure what one but i thought you would have there is a cut off point and 50k isnt that! will try find this link so you can see

[Lirael]

wow your bub was cheap LOL

[shorty_851]

Yeah i have nothing except the baby bonus comng my way. I have rang and spoke to Centrelink and Family Assist and they both said the same thing. I think it stinks

Sorry but i am quite cranky about it.

[westerner]

You should look into it more.. Unless he earns alot over the 50k estimate you have mentioned..

[M O P]

I was impressed as I pay my husband's wages and discovered in my mail this morning he gets a tax cut come 1.7.07. Only $12 a week but better than nothing.

[luckymama]

shorty, someone is telling you lies.
I just did the estimate again to see what my entitlements are and it says i can get $140.84 FTB part A and $120.96 FTB part B.
My DH earns a lot more than yours, so you have to be entitled to at least as much as us, if not more. Maybe rng again and speak to someone else. Or even redo the calculator

[Kittylou]

Shorty, my DH earns a lot more than $50K and I get $130 per fortnight (made up of Part A & Part B payments) for my DS. Someone has definitely been misleading you...

[bigglet]

Family Tax Assistance A stops being paid if your family income exceeds $94K for one child.

It depends whether you are also working as well.

I get nothing financially assisted wise from the government (except for baby bonus, immunisation allowance etc) but yet am expected to pay full price for virtually everything which is my gripe... :banghead:
I mean I pay about $75 a day in childcare fees compared to what I read and hear what other people pay! (after the childcare rebate it's still about $60 a day!!)

[bel_aiden]

shorty if your taxable income for you n hubby wil be 50k for the year you will be entitled to about 185 a f/n... depends on if you work at all in the year and have shares etc:ecomcity:

[Ashleigh<3]

Yesterday i posed the question as to why i will recieve nothing from the governement excpet for the baby bonus as my partner earns over 50K i was told i would receive some sort of entitlement so i rang them and asked and was told under no circumstances would i be recieving any of the benfits such as part A or B

My partner ears over 50k and I still receive $160 a fortnight.

Maybe they thought you meant, "am I going to receive this money while I'm pregnant"? Maybe...

[naybee]

I would definatly check again. Both my husband and I earn more than that and we still get an (admittedly tiny) amount.

If you have signed up for the online Centrelink services, you should be able to work up a few different estimates depending on your circumstances.

[Mahjong]

Someone at Centrelink is telling big porky pies... most likely couldn't be bothered submitting a form for you...

Definately seek additional advice.

[Odessa]

I thought babies cost a lot more than baby bonus and FTB? :laughing:

[our little treasures]

Funny that tis has been written on here today as i am in the middle of writing a letter to Mr Costello and a few other MPS in regards to the benefits.

Yesterday i posed the question as to why i will recieve nothing from the governement excpet for the baby bonus as my partner earns over 50K i was told i would receive some sort of entitlement so i rang them and asked and was told under no circumstances would i be recieving any of the benfits such as part A or B.

I feel quite upset as i have worked for the last god knows coz i was paying taxes at the age of 14 i feel that there should be a minimum for every family no matter how much they earn.

I feel as though the system stinks and i will be telling them in a few words they might understand

Right you haven't had the baby yet I thought you entered a fake date and got the right amount! You will recieve as 50k is not a high income and I know a few on 80k and getting paid via centre link for tax a and b.

[kiah]

I think any money from the gov is fantastic. and the baby bonus is just unreal.

[Becteria]

babies cost hardly anything.... honestly work it out, for the first 9 mths

Pram $200 - 500 for a standard, cheaper for second hand

Cot - $200 - $400

Clothes $300

Nappies - $300

Car seat - $300

What else do you NEED for a baby?

[dreamer80]

I was very surprised to discover that despite my husband high income, whilst on maternity leave I will receive $120 a fortnight in addition to the $4133 baby bonus! By putting that money in a high interest savings account when he is two he will have over $11,000 in savings! :D I think that’s great!:yes: That’s Costello/government!:hugs::yelclap:

[kiah]

I was very surprised to discover that despite my husband high income, whilst on maternity leave I will receive $120 a fortnight in addition to the $4133 baby bonus! By putting that money in a high interest savings account when is two he will have over $11,000 in savings! :D I think that’s great!:yes: That’s Costello/government!:hugs::yelclap:

I luv how u think. So organised and serious.

We were in the same situation when i went on maternity leave and we put it all into a term deposit for the future.

[TJ]

shorty, someone is telling you lies.
I just did the estimate again to see what my entitlements are and it says i can get $140.84 FTB part A and $120.96 FTB part B.
My DH earns a lot more than yours, so you have to be entitled to at least as much as us, if not more. Maybe rng again and speak to someone else. Or even redo the calculator

How did you get that amount chicky??

I just did the calculator, and based it on the partner only earning $50000 (and you earning nothing) and owning your own home and got the following.

Family Tax Benefit Part A $64.12
Family Tax Benefit Part B $120.96
Estimated Family Assistance payment $185.08

So you would think, that if the OP was also not working, or wasnt going to have an income for all of next financial year that they would at least get the $185/fortnight.
Even more if they are renting and were entitled to rent assistance.

[bigglet]

I was very surprised to discover that despite my husband high income, whilst on maternity leave I will receive $120 a fortnight in addition to the $4133 baby bonus! By putting that money in a high interest savings account when he is two he will have over $11,000 in savings! :D I think that’s great!:yes: That’s Costello/government!/FONT][FONT=Verdana]

ok dreamer80.... I want your accountant!! :D

[kiah]

I must say it is pretty cool that the gov just gives out so much money. I think it is so good. We are really lucky in this country.:yes:

[popchex]

This is all very interesting to me as when DH got his new job down here at over $50k, we lost all of our benefits!

[dreamer80]

ok dreamer80.... I want your accountant!! :D

My husband has a degree in Mathematics; he handles all our household financial matters, although we do have a very good financial advisor.:thumbsup:

As an example using the ING direct savings maximiser with an interest rate if 6% and no fees.

If you deposit the baby bonus of $4133 in the account as an opening balance then contribute the FTB part B which is $120 a fortnight the estimated balance after 48 months is $11,282.50.:D

[dreamer80]

This is all very interesting to me as when DH got his new job down here at over $50k, we lost all of our benefits!

That is very weird. :detective:DH earns a high income yet while I am on maternity leave we will be entitled to the FTB B of $120 a fortnight. I would ring up or visit your local Centerlink office first thing Monday!:yes: Good Luck :hugs:

[Ashleigh<3]

babies cost hardly anything.... honestly work it out, for the first 9 mths

Pram $200 - 500 for a standard, cheaper for second hand

Cot - $200 - $400

Clothes $300

Nappies - $300

Car seat - $300

What else do you NEED for a baby?


I agree and formula isn't that expensive either and we're on goats which is pretty expensive.
MCN's save you money.
I guess a lot of people just have more bills to pay whilst they have a baby on board.
What I find expensive is grocery shopping for the Adults not the baby.

[Ashleigh<3]

This is all very interesting to me as when DH got his new job down here at over $50k, we lost all of our benefits!

Do you have permanent residency?
It took a while for my Mother to get hers so she didn't get any benefits.

[verybusymama]

shorty - I htink you have been given the wrong info. My Oh earns well over $50 000 and I still get something.

[Ashleigh<3]

I must say it is pretty cool that the gov just gives out so much money. I think it is so good. We are really lucky in this country.:yes:

Yep. Except it's sad there is not enough for the disabled/sick families that really do need it.
I'd glady give up mine for that.

[SweetSerenity]

Just a reminder :)
We should all be careful with how much financial information we give out as there are people who scam forums for the very purpose.

[SalTheGal]

I must say it is pretty cool that the gov just gives out so much money. I think it is so good. We are really lucky in this country.:yes:

here here :thumbsup:

[bigglet]

Ahhh I get it now.... after reading the Government sites regarding this the benefits really only apply to single income families or a total family income not exceeding $94K (for one child) to get Benefit A.

To get Benefit B they don't consider the income of the main person as long as the second person earns less than about $21K - that's why Dreamer80 can get the benefit assuming she isn't working.

Bugger.... I'm one of those stuck in the middle... can't afford NOT to work (dual income) so not entitled to any other benefit (although yes of course I would love to be a SAHM!!!)

[popchex]

Do you have permanent residency?
It took a while for my Mother to get hers so she didn't get any benefits.

Not full permanent. But this isn't me applying for it, it's all in DH's name - does me being a "non-entity" to Centrelink affect it? I'd guess they would look at it as a single parent if anything? Hrm...:detective:


That is very weird. DH earns a high income yet while I am on maternity leave we will be entitled to the FTB B of $120 a fortnight. I would ring up or visit your local Centerlink office first thing Monday!:yes: Good Luck :hugs:

Thanks! I told him to call on Monday - we actually went in and changed all of the information personally when we moved. I have no idea why it went to zero!

[Becteria]

Yep. Except it's sad there is not enough for the disabled/sick families that really do need it.
I'd glady give up mine for that.

i agree, while i appreciate the assistance, i dont NEED mine and i am sure there plenty of people who do. I dont think that everyone should be given the maternity payment, either - it should be means tested. Those on high incomes normally have the most creative accountants who are able to pull all the tricks to ensure that again, the better earners are better off. Thats why I DONT vote Howard. Its just not equal.

[dreamer80]

Those on high incomes normally have the most creative accountants who are able to pull all the tricks to ensure that again, the better earners are better off.

Sorry but I don’t feel smart investing, savings and salary packages are ‘tricks’:no:

[bigglet]

i agree, while i appreciate the assistance, i dont NEED mine and i am sure there plenty of people who do. I dont think that everyone should be given the maternity payment, either - it should be means tested. Those on high incomes normally have the most creative accountants who are able to pull all the tricks to ensure that again, the better earners are better off. Thats why I DONT vote Howard. Its just not equal.

I disagree - just because you have a high income doesn't necessarily mean you are better off. High income earners pay the most tax and get the least of government benefits. They also get slammed with other things like higher childcare costs, private health insurance costs (otherwise they are charged a higher medicare levy), no discounts when it comes to health/medications etc etc.

[Ashleigh<3]

Sorry but I don’t feel smart investing, savings and salary packages are ‘tricks’:no:

I don't think their tricks but I do think that those who are in your position are obviously WELL off and there are quite obviously more people out there that really need that money so it's pretty unfair that the government is supplying extra cash for those who are obviously on a very high salary.

I just couldn't do that.

[dreamer80]

I don't think their tricks but I do think that those who are in your position are obviously WELL off and there are quite obviously more people out there that really need that money so it's pretty unfair that the government is supplying extra cash for those who are obviously on a very high salary.

I just couldn't do that.

Oh yes, :yes:I do agree that more of the governments budget/funds should go into public schools, public hospitals and more importantly elderly and disabled assistance/payments. As an example FTB part B should have always been means tested!

[Ashleigh<3]

I disagree - just because you have a high income doesn't necessarily mean you are better off. High income earners pay the most tax and get the least of government benefits. They also get slammed with other things like higher childcare costs, private health insurance costs (otherwise they are charged a higher medicare levy), no discounts when it comes to health/medications etc etc.


Not entirely. My Mum is on a high sallary and has been for the past twenty years, compare that to a family the same age as her in a lower paying job, they obviously need more government assistance.

[Becteria]

Smart investing and savings arent tricks, they are smart......thats not what i was talking about. When you see a family where one half earns over 150k pa and the wife is able to claim over 12k in family allowances from the government then something has to give. (just one example i have seen, and i have worked in a finance organisation for years and been exposed to alot of these scenarios)

BIGGLET: I am a higher income earner, and i do get slammed with all the taxes etc you speak of...but having that higher income i am better able to provide for my family, and i think it is fair that i pay more tax than someone on a lower wage and no access to medical discounts. I am grateful for medicare but would never expect to get a medicine discounted...

[our little treasures]

I have to agree, if you can manage to support your family and save all the fanily tax benefit I can't see where you should be entitled to recieve it.
I couldn't live without the FTB and I just cannot believe that the government allows people that earn over a certain amount to recieve it.

[MrsMiggins]

Let's all just be careful to keep this thread on track, OK?

[Jeffy]

I was very, very grateful for the baby bonus. I am also very grateful that I will receive approximately 30% of our childcare fees back and that I have access to free healthcare should I need it (even though I have private health).

We earn too much to receive any other benefits but I am more than happy to pay my taxes because I grew up in a govvie house with a single mum on benefits. DH has a couple of cousins on govvie benefits and we both went through school on Austudy. We needed help, received it, and now we are repaying it (plus some). But our lifestyle is very luxurious in that we have a roof, food and water...not to mention internet and foxtel :eek:

Gotta love this country and be happy with the lifestyle we are all lucky to have! Even the poorest person here can:

Have free medical treatment
Access housing and receive a living allowance
Generally live free from fear
We all have free TV for goodness sake!

[Odessa]

Yes, in general we are all pretty lucky to have a strong welfare system to support us. Other countries aren't so well off in comparison.

[Lucan]

We all have free TV for goodness sake!
That's right, lets be thankful for this:)

[Mummy2Noah]

I was very, very grateful for the baby bonus. I am also very grateful that I will receive approximately 30% of our childcare fees back and that I have access to free healthcare should I need it (even though I have private health).

We earn too much to receive any other benefits but I am more than happy to pay my taxes because I grew up in a govvie house with a single mum on benefits. DH has a couple of cousins on govvie benefits and we both went through school on Austudy. We needed help, received it, and now we are repaying it (plus some). But our lifestyle is very luxurious in that we have a roof, food and water...not to mention internet and foxtel :eek:

Gotta love this country and be happy with the lifestyle we are all lucky to have! Even the poorest person here can:

Have free medical treatment
Access housing and receive a living allowance
Generally live free from fear
We all have free TV for goodness sake!

Well said!!! And i think most of us forget how well off we really are!!!:yelclap:

[Mamaduke]

Isn't our Government wonderful!! :smiliedance:
I love Costello :D

Edited to add...we are very fortunate here. I was reading a forum from the States and amount people have to pay for emergency room treatment for their children. One lady was saying that her daughter fell off her bike and needed stitches - it was over $1500 (US), the visit to the emergency department alone was $900. They had the equivalent of private health but that particular hospital wasn't covered on their plan.

[Odessa]

Do you think the baby bonus has increased the birth rate as Costello claims? Or is the recent baby boom a follow on effect of the last baby boom of the early 70s?

[pegasus]

The answer to this question may be as easy to answer as the questions on global warming....

All I know is that the change in the baby bonus was no incentive to me as to when to have a child - I receive (and continue to) more money for my son born 2months before the initial baby bonus came in than for my daughter born 2weeks after the change to $4k.

I based my decision on having a child on the status on my relationship rather than on any financial issues

(although I did say I would only agree to go into premature labour after June 30 last year :D )