First, it could be a good idea to explore daycare options early. Sometimes it can take a while to secure a spot, and knowing the daycare’s availability can help you plan your schedule better. Once you have an idea of daycare options and fees, you might find it easier to narrow down the kind of work schedule you’d like to aim for. Since you’re thinking of going back to childcare or hospitality, you could weigh which industry might offer more flexibility and family-friendly hours.

Childcare could be a good fit since the skills you have there might help ease your transition, and some workplaces in the childcare industry might even offer discounted rates or on-site daycare. It could be worth reaching out to a few places to see if they offer that. For hospitality, the hours can be tricky with a little one, so maybe only consider that if you can find something that aligns well with daycare or family support.

As a New Zealand citizen, you might be eligible for certain government support with daycare fees. Checking online resources like the Australian government’s Department of Human Services website could help you understand what’s available, or you could give them a call for more personalized advice.

I hope it all worked out for you

I don’t have any specific advise – just that going back to work will be wonderful for you both. It will give you some time for you and being able to interact with adults. I wish I had gone back to work earlier than I did ( 15 years) It was so hard to return after such a huge break.

I went back to a new job after having my first – I had been on maternity leave, however, the terms they wanted me to return to weren’t acceptable to me. I found a new job first, which happened to be part time. It’s best to start with looking and going for interviews, seeing what’s out there and deciding what you want. If you are really hoping for part-time or flexible hours, ask about this at an interview and see if this is a possibility. Once you have a job start looking for day care – family day care is the best and there are a lot of options available in most areas. There are usually facebook groups where vacancies can be advertised, or look up family day care via google and contact a couple of the head offices and then they can look for vacancies for you.

I think sort out your options with baby and what’s available, then job.

Thank you for all your answers

I’m going back in just over a month but have been in constant contact with my manager about my return to work plans. You will need to have a job and they do have to be flexible for Mother’s returning to the workforce because of discrimination laws.
You may not be able to get the childcare subsidy based on how many hours you have worked or will work, I’d suggest contact centrelink about it.

Maybe call centrelink and ask what entitlements you would recieve with daycare benefits if you were to return to work, so that way you will know if youll recieve help with costs. Depending on this then I would apply for the job of your choosing, if you succeed to an interview its always important to let them know you do have a young one at home so they can consider what position best suits you and hours and so on. Its always best to get all your questions, doubts and so on out of the way with first so then you have a basic idea of where to go from there. Goodluck hope this helps.

If the situation arises where you’re not entitled to much/any help with daycare costs then be prepared to rethink situation. With a multiple birth many years ago (and a hubby that happened to work), I was in the situation where I’d go to work and pretty much spent everything I earnt on childcare. And there was a long waiting list for places anywhere, especially near work. But I gather things have improved. So check if you are eligible for any financial help, then see how much it would cost for the hours you need. The cost may affect what job you take.

Hard to know which step to take first indeed.
I think definitely first chat with Centrelink, make a decision about what work you want to chaseand for how many hours per week and start applying, whilst enrolling your child in childcare

Have you chatted to your partner on what would for your family?
I went back to work when mine was 8 months and I got childcare days sorted out first and then my work days.

Definitely chat to Centrelink regarding entitlements. From there you will know what you can cover and what you can’t. Then you can start thinking about work once you can sort out childcare for your little one. Baby steps will get you where you need to go.

About entitlements you should talk to centerlink and then go from there.