[AliC05]

Im looking for advice or wisdom from those who have applied for the government subsidy for in home care.

I probably wont apply for the next year but possibly the year after.

Currently I am a full time med student and DH is a full time ambo. In 2 years I will start working full time and he will probably be part time. Even with DH part time its nigh on impossible to make our hours fit around "normal" daycare.

Ive been trying to investigate the option of in home care with the govt subsidy but its so hard to find any real info.

Can anyone point me in the right direction??
Anyone gone down this path before ??

[Aribika]

Hi there. I haven't used it but did work in in-home care many years ago. I think it depends on the area you're in but ours was run by Wanslea who also run the Family day care scheme in the area. I would start by asking whoever runs FDC in your area or the local council and see if they can give you info about who to talk to.

Good luck.

Lorraine

[SeaPrincess]

I had in-home care in 2010, when all 3 of my children were under school age. I called the Childcare Access Hotline (1800 670 305) and they confirmed my eligibility and put me in touch with a local government in-home and family daycare co-ordinator. I interviewed 2 or 3 women and took the one who seemed the best fit with the children. We only qualified for CCR at the time.

You can find out about eligibility requirements here.

R

[Barefoot]

I applied, have been on the waiting list since I wanted to return to work in September last year. Still no luck. I am leaving work in June next year, who want to bet they give me a place then. LOL.

You contact the local Family Day care scheme, they are the ones who provide the carers. I agree, it is so hard to find any real information out there on how to get into it.

[SeaPrincess]

I applied, have been on the waiting list since I wanted to return to work in September last year. Still no luck.

When I started looking, I interviewed several nannies who I found on Find a Babysitter. The local agency was happy to sign up anyone I wanted, but the girl that I loved wanted to be paid cash so it wouldn't affect her Austudy. I just found it easier to go with their own carers, but there is the potential to present someone who is appropriately qualified and do it that way. One of the girls that I considered was also registered with the agency but her rate was higher through them than if I had just used Find a Babysitter.

R

[charlottesmum04]

The one time i looked into it the girl they sent out to me to interview said she couldnt guarantee she would always be there on time as she was homeless and had no idea where she would be travelling from. As much as i would love to have helped someone get a job ( and hopefully then not be homeless) the reason i was using in home care was because i needed odd hours and reliability.

[AliC05]

Thanks so much for all your replies and for the links to info

Barefoot - Im worried Ill end up in your position on some waiting list !! gah!!

FOr those who have used the program - how much did it end up costing you???

Currently we pay $82.50 a day - 4 days a week - but it works out a lot less with CCB of about $20 a week and the 50% CCR

[SeaPrincess]

FOr those who have used the program - how much did it end up costing you???

Currently we pay $82.50 a day - 4 days a week - but it works out a lot less with CCB of about $20 a week and the 50% CCR

There was a tiny fee for the local govt agency - less than $1/hour extra. She paid it to them, but I can't remember if it was deducted from the $25/ hour I paid her or on top of it. For us at the time, it was equivalent to what I'd have been paying in LDC for the 3 children for the number of hours I needed.

R

[MeN3Ps!]

Yes, we have used it. Costs us nothing as we have a special situation "SCCB". i.e. one of us has an illness.

CCB is 80% with twins.

Good Luck! It doesn't hurt to get on a waitlist. Also get a referral letter from your GP and Area Health Nurse to help speed up the process!