Starting a family in Australia has never been so rewarding. Not only do you get to bring your children up in an amazing country with infinite potential and opportunity but now the Australian Government have decided to give you an added bonus.

Maternity Payment

The Australian Government have created the Baby Bonus which is currently $5185 for every eligible child paid in 13 fortnightly installements once the child has been born.  This bonus is adjusted on 1st July every year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

Permanent residents may also be eligable for Family Tax Benefit which can be paid fortnightly or annually.  This is an income based payment to help with the costs of raising children.

For any further information regarding this and any other family assistance matters, please click onto either of the following links:

www.familyassist.gov.au

www.centrelink.gov.au

Childcare

There are many different childcare facilities in Australia to choose from.  To help you find a child care centre in the area you have decided to settle, please click onto the following link:

www.careforkids.com.au

Australian Schools

Overview of the Australian Education System - School Education

School education has a similar structure across Australia with only slight variations between states and territories.  School education is compulsory between the ages of  and 16 (Year 1 to Year 9 or 10).  School education is thirteen years and divided into:

• a preparatory year before Year 1: not compulsory but almost universally undertaken;
• primary schooling: six or seven years - Years 1-6 or 1-7; and
• secondary schooling: five or six years - Years 7-12 or 8-12

The Australian Government has recently released a controversial new website.  This lists almost 10,000 schools and details how each school compares statistically with similar schools across Australia.  For further information please visit www.myschool.edu.au