Navigating centrelink, nutting out your maternity leave rights and child care subsidies can be a logistical nightmare. In the current climate with rising costs and an increasing number of childcare deserts across the country, financial planning for parenthood is overwhelming. In this episode Georgie Dent, writer, journalist and executive director of The Parenthood, takes us step-by-step through all the financial support systems available to parents, including the upcoming changes to paid parental leave. Georgie is a tireless campaigner for parental support and rights, hence she’s the very best person to speak on this topic.

Georgie discusses:

• Centrelink Reference Number (CRN)
• the importance of registering with Centrelink early in your pregnancy
• discussing paid maternity leave with your employer 
• changes to government-funded Paid Parental Leave (PPL)
• financial support and advocacy for multiples 
• childcare deserts in rural and regional areas and some parts of cities 
• accessibility to early education care 
• the unrealistic expense of Australia’s out of pocket child care fees 
• early years education needs to reflect the primary and high school accessibility 
• 90% of a child’s brain develops between 0-5 years 
• essential infrastructure for families to work and take care of their family