The real cost of starting a family
According to the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, affordable childcare looms large in the minds of most parents, as they are forced to pay twice as much as their counterparts a decade ago.
The annual survey has followed 17,000 people over 13 years to build a picture of our home and family life, health, education and employment. It shows that when it comes to having a baby, the would-be father’s feelings towards his partner and the couple’s financial stability mean nothing; it’s all up to the woman – how she feels about her mate and their bank account balance
Melbourne mother and paralegal Tamara Hawkins earns $35,000 a year and childcare costs are a stretch.
With an annual household income of $90,000, she is eligible for a rebate that shaves off 50 per cent of the $215 cost to place her children in care for two days a week, and her mother steps in to babysit for an extra day. But in the past two years, her childcare fees have jumped up by $20 a day.
“You’re never going to be financially ready in this day and age, but you plan the best you can … the fees are not ideal,” the 29-year-old said.
Read more: The Age