ccsn Posted December 18, 2014 Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 This may seem like a silly question but i am interested to hear how other people in a similar situation to us work it out. I am the one that obtained us sponsorship on a 457 visa and will therefore be working full time. My husband will look for work when we arrive. It seems that school hours are from 9am-3pm which makes it difficult times for work. Is it easy to find work during school hours and before and aftercare seem very expensive? We arrive in Melbourne on the 31st of December 2014, feeling very anxious at this stage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibella Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) It might be a bit more tricky for your husband to find school hour work as most of those jobs tend to be admin or retail jobs I would think. It depends on what his line of work is? Maybe he can work for himself and then fit this into school hours?Do remember that you will get a discount on before and after care if you work, can be up to 50% off. But yes it is a problem, especially if you have a few kids at school. Also school holidays is an issue as holiday care is also expensive.If you have the space a live in aupair might be an option as they get free board so they don't get paid that much, someone I know does this and she pays her around $250 per week which was cheaper than placing her three kids in before and after school care. They can then pick the kids up from school and bring them home.Don't worry too much though, things tend to work out in the end... Edited December 19, 2014 by Sibella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 I met some South Africans at a camp site recently. They both worked full time in Sydney and had two primary school kids, so I asked how they did it. They said that they belong to a group online called Helpx.com. They pay $30 a year to access the website and post on there for travellers/au pairs. They only take Scandinavian couples as they like their morals/ level of education/ etc. If I have it right, you have to provide a room and food, in turn they help you for 4 hours a day. This couple have an arrangement where the visiting couple can take every weekend off, but then the remaining hours are the divided up to be used in the week. This couple takes their kids to school and picks them up, washes, cooks and does homework. Life changing for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccsn Posted December 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 Well that sounds like a plan. Thank you so much for this. I will definitely look into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NiniJ Posted December 21, 2014 Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 It will all work out just fine - God always provides :-) Hope to see you before you leave! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirstyS Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 This is also something I am concerned about as we both will need to work 'working hours' which don't fit in with school hours ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackieO Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 What do you all do outside of school hours at the moment in South Africa if you are both working? Grandparents? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccsn Posted December 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Aftercare, but it seems really expensive in Aus so just hearing how other people manage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirstyS Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Daycare that opens at 6:30 and closes at 6pm. And a before school and aftercare for the middle child. But it's not as expsnsive as it appears to be in aus ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccsn Posted December 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Thats great news. I am sure it will all fall into place once we are there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 (edited) Daycare that opens at 6:30 and closes at 6pm. And a before school and aftercare for the middle child. But it's not as expsnsive as it appears to be in ausWhat amounts have you heard ? Edited December 23, 2014 by Fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunnyskies Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 Ccsn, when we were on that merry go round I used to drop my children as early as possible (8.30 was the earliest that the school allowed although I know a number of parents in the same boat would drop at 8.15am) and then dash to the station for a train. I was always a few minutes late to work. In the afternoon my husband would collect or they went to aftercare - we were originally on a 457 so no rebate. I also know a number of Aussie parents would let their children walk to and from school everyday with no adult supervision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.