An Aussie mum has laid bare the tough reality facing those wanting to return to work with young children. Returning to paid work is a major transition and parents can battle a ton of logistical and financial hurdles just to get there.
Darwin mum Sarah Bullock is currently on maternity leave after giving birth to her third child. She told Yahoo Finance she planned to return to her job in HR and recruitment early next year but was facing challenges finding care.
“There just seems to be continued hurdles when all you want to do is go back to work. It’s not just that easy. And I won’t even get into how many sick days you need to take,” the 32-year-old said.
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Bullock said she would be working three days a week from 8am to 4pm, so would need to get before and after school care for her eldest daughter, Ella, who is currently four years old.
She was recently advised that there may not be enough spots at her daughter’s school next year, leaving her in a difficult but all-to-common position.
“If I can’t get Ella into care I will have no option but [to] approach work and ask to work school hours,” Bullock told Yahoo Finance.
“However, this will mean less money and I still pay the full-day fees for my youngest two to be in care those days.
“Alternatively look for another job that is flexible enough for me to work around school and my husband’s ever-changing roster.”
Bullock’s husband, Aaron, works in the oil and gas sector so she said his hours were often “unpredictable”.
His shifts fluctuate between eight and 12-hour days and nights but “luckily” he is still able to drive in and out of work.
Childcare costs add further pressure
Bullock said getting care was just the first hurdle faced by parents looking to return to work.
“I’ve had to keep two of mine in care three days per week whilst on mat leave, just to keep our spots. Wait list are months or years long,” she said.
“The next hurdle is the cost of daycare. We pay roughly $145 per day, per child. Yes, there is CCS (Child Care Subsidy) however in this economy what was once a comfortable income, doesn’t leave much room anymore.”
Altogether, Bullock said having her two children in care for six days each per fortnight was costing them $570 per fortnight.
“I’m on mat leave with no income. But I need to keep them in for the sake of ‘my spot’. So this is currently very taxing on the budget,” she said.
Bullock estimated her costs will increase to roughly $600 to $650 per fortnight when she returns to work next year.
Recent data from the Productivity Commission found out-of-pocket childcare costs had risen substantially for families living in every state and territory in Australia.
Victorians currently pay the highest bill in the country, with the average cost of 50 hours of centre-based care setting families back $626 a week.
Bullock said she would make enough income to make it worthwhile to return to work, plus she is looking forward to the “mental stimulation and the adult company” of the job.
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