Ok so I now get family tax benefit or have been doing for a while now!! I need to apply for child care benefit for the kids to go to out of school and vacation care. Can anyone tell me what happens? d I pay a reduced rate? do I get payment? do i have to pay up-front?
Thanks
C
XXX

Hi Candice I dont claim to know much about this BUT I had to put the boys into Vacation care whilst I was on a training course so I phoned Centre Link (number in book) to enquire if I was eligible to any rebate on the fee of $96 a day (for all 3 ). The woman on the phone was very helpful and did my application online she explained how much rebate I was entitled to 108%(?!) and 50 hours per week . She asked for the name of the Child care centre I would be using and said that they would sort out the discount . So I booked the boys in and a week after received a bill for $274.49 BUT $245.94 had been paid by CCB so I had just $25.55 to pay !!

Fantastic!! :yeehah:

The rebate (if any) you receive is based on your total family income estimate for the year and is deducted at source, as Julie said.

Julia :)

Ok thanks so presumably wih both me and D working full time we would get a lesser rebate then? not that I mind but it does mount up when its vacation care!!! any one know of any cheap places? there is one at keirens school but not sure on prices yet!!
C
XX

Sorry Candice dont know prices of anywhere else other than the one mine went to which is miles from you in Flinders park .

Good luck

J xx

Craigburn Primary, The Hub Primary and Happy Valley Primary all do Vac Care. I think the prices are all pretty similar - around $40 for a day $20 for a half day (full price).

Julia :)

Hi all,

At first we put in low income estimates and got a % of 104% - but, alas, that doesn't mean they pay YOU to put your kids there :lol:

Formula as follows:-

2.88 x hours child care open (not the amount of time you leave them there but the session time) X your %age = your discount.

It is deducted at source. However, I think you could pay the full wack and get the rebate at the end of the year. Also, there is a new rebate coming up where you get 30% rebate on first $4000 of childcare (think that is right - correct me if not!). SO keep all your receipts.

Claire

As of this year you can get a child care rebate from tha ATO. Keep all of your receipts for the amounts that you have to pay for childcare and claim them in your 2005/06. The rebate can be transfered between spouses and is up to $4000 per child. Can lead to a nice tax refund. :yeehah:

The one time I used it, I rang up and since we were already claiming FTA they worked from the info they already had. They advised me the percentage reduction we'd get, and also advised the OSHC I was intending to use. Then I got invoiced for the amount in excess of the benefit. I think I ended up paying about $10 per child for a full day of care in the holidays, even though we have a very reasonable income.

well thats ok but with 2 full time wages coming in maybe we not get too much off!! plus kids will be going to after school care every day and vacation care every day of every holiday so could cost lots of $$$$$$$$$
C
XXX

ps we are getting FTA BUT that will have to change due to my wage coming in!!!