Have you had unprotected sex? What about pregnancy testing? What are the other signs of pregnancy? What are your options?
Pregnancy - getting on with it How will your body change? What about emotional changes? What healthcare will you need? How do you know if something is wrong? Staying healthy during pregnancy Antenatal classes Getting ready at home Going to hospital What happens during labour & birth?
What about the dad? Sex during & after pregnancy Keeping up with friends Better relationships through communication Feeling good about yourself Family violence
Money matters Housing & accommodation Legal matters
Continuing your education Working
After the birth Breast & bottle feeding Baby safety Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Getting help in the Yarra Ranges area Useful internet links What does this mean? Glossary References About this site
 

Money, housing & legal

Money matters
Housing & accommodation

Legal matters


Home


Site map

Glossary

 

Money matters

Amongst the many things you need to consider when you become pregnant is how you will support yourself and your new family.  It can be hard to make your money stretch to pay for the things you really need but also have some for 'treats', or maybe to save towards something special.

There are a number of services available to provide advice and support.  The key services are described below and there are additional links in the Get Help section opposite and in the Getting help in the Yarra Ranges area section of this resource.  The following checklist may also help you with your budgeting:

Managing your money checklist (PDF)


> Centrelink payments and services

> Help with managing your finances

> Material assistance - food, clothing, furniture, etc

> Child support


Centrelink payments and services

Baby Bonus (previously known as Maternity Payment)
The Baby Bonus is a one-off payment from the government that aims to help you with the costs of having a baby.  Information about this payment can be found on the Centrelink website.  This payment is not subject to an income test or assets test.

Other Centrelink payments which may help you when you are pregnant and after you have your baby include:

  • Maternity Allowance

  • Parenting Payment (Single/Partnered)

  • Child Care Assistance

  • Family Tax benefits

  • Child Disability Allowance

  • Special Benefit

  • Health Care Cards

  • Employment/Education Entry Payments

  • Rent Assistance.


Centrelink services also include:

  • Counselling and referral to other services: These services are provided by social workers who can also provide information about payments you might be entitled to as well as referral to other Centrelink services.

  • Assistance with finding work and undertaking training: the Jobs, Education and Training (JET) Advisers provide support and advice to help parents return to work after having children.

  • Multilingual Telephone Information Service: Interpreters can also be arranged for interviews with Centrelink staff.

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officers.


Call the Centrelink general information line on 136 150 for information about payments, benefits and services or see the extensive information on the website at www.centrelink.gov.au (internet connection required).

Top

Help with managing your finances

A number of services provide advice to help you better manage your finances - this is called financial counselling.  It is a good idea to call first to make an appointment.

Anglicare
Anglicare has offices in Lilydale and Healesville.  Call 9735 4188 to make an appointment with a financial counselor.

Eastern Access Community Health (EACH)
EACH provides services within Yarra Junction, Lilydale, Healesville and the outer Eastern suburbs.  Call 5967 1161.


Material assistance - food, clothing, furniture, etc

There are some services that can give you food vouchers, cheap clothes, or even furniture if you are in need.  See the section on Getting Help in the Yarra Ranges area for more information.


Child support 

Child support is money that is paid by one parent to the other to support the child when the parents are separated.  To claim child support from the father of a child born outside of marriage it must be proven who the father is. 

The Family Law Act recognises fatherhood if:

  • The parents are married 

  • The father’s name is on the birth certificate 

  • The father formally admits that he is the father, or 

  • It is proven in court 


To establish Proof of Paternity, the man must have lived together (but they were not married) with the child's mother at any time during the period beginning 44 weeks and ending 20 weeks before the child's birth.

Child Support Services of Legal Aid Victoria help parents with problems getting or paying child support.

Top

Get Help


Centrelink
136 150
www.centrelink.gov.au 
(internet connection required)
Emergency Relief
See “Getting Help - Local Services”

Consumer Advocacy Rights Counselling Association
9650 5422

Anglicare Yarra Ranges
Integrated Family Services
9735 4188
5962 3255
www.anglicarevic.org.au/
young_people.htm#CA 
(internet connection required)
Eastern Access Community Health (EACH)
5967 1161
www.each.com.au
(internet connection required)

Welfare Rights Unit
www.welfarerights.org.au/
offices/Melbourne.aspx
 (internet connection required)

Victoria Legal Aid (Ringwood)
9259 5444
 www.vla.vic.gov.au 
(internet connection required) 

Eastern Community Legal Service
9762 6235

Child Support Agency
13 12 72

Child Support Service (CSS), Legal Aid VIC
9259 5444

 Family Relationship Advice Line
1800 050 321