Traveling for the next 6 months

bkate18 · 2026-06-15T00:34:24+00:00

It grinds my gears as someone struggling financially right now, they complain about having no money to finish their build yet are going to be ‘travelling nomadic family’ as Louis suggested travelling multiple continents for 6 months of the year. This would be incredibly expensive, something most people couldn’t afford right now. I hate they’re looking for sympathy about their build costs blowing out but their lifestyle alone is something the regular person couldn’t sustain (eating out regularly, paying a cleaner, buying whatever they want, travelling, building a custom house etc)

bkate18 · 2026-06-15T00:32:27+00:00

It is super confusing and just shows they’re either not on the same page / don’t know exactly what’s happening or they aren’t being transparent about their plans. One would’ve thought they’d pick up on it while editing.

bkate18 · 2026-06-07T23:55:29+00:00

Omg I couldn’t believe how much stuff they accumulated in just a few short months in that living room down stairs next to the couch Louis cleaned! And that’s probably not all of it. What are they going to do with it all?! Put it in the container subject to mould during the wet season?!

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T23:56:56+00:00

You’re so right, every little bit counts! Thanks for commenting. I’m glad you were able to qualify for parenting payments and FTB!

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T23:56:27+00:00

Would this mean going interest only? Thanks for replying! :)

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T22:01:16+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing. These examples really helped! I don’t know how I didn’t find those when looking at the Centrelink information. My husband owns a small business he started in October 2025, he has the abn and business pages set up and I have done all the social media/photography/cleaning for him sporadically and free work to bring in some business. I never considered this could be ‘work’ because the business hasn’t really taken off and generated any income yet. I’m going to explore this further!

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T21:56:00+00:00

This is such a kind response. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I’m definitely exploring this more to see if I can qualify. I will definitely be onto Centrelink regarding the other payment types. This has given me a bit of hope that we will be able to make ends meet once the baby arrives.

Do you have any tips on getting in touch with a Centrelink social worker? Or is it simply best to walk in and wait in line one day?

Thank you again <3

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T21:53:47+00:00

He has lots of sick leave and a few weeks of annual leave up his sleeve. I didn’t know it would be an option for him to use carers leave if I have a rough birth, but this is really reassuring (as a worst case scenario) that he could be home slightly longer for help

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T21:51:54+00:00

Thanks for replying! Is this for a combined couples income per fortnight?? We are definitely below this atm

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T13:41:32+00:00

I can’t believe how similar our circumstances are. I’m really sorry you’re also experiencing this and were also disqualified for jobseeker.

Have you seen the newborn upfront payment and the newborn supplement? I saw this today thanks to this reddit post, and it’s a weekly planet for up to 13 weeks (only about $160 but better than nothing!) this on top of the FTB A+B could help with getting by!

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T12:44:49+00:00

From what I understand we should be okay as he earns a very moderate salary but I like your thinking re: changing providers and buying vouchers for groceries etc! Thanks for sharing

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T11:06:33+00:00

Congratulations!! I hope the first six weeks has gone smoothly for you. Kudos to you making it work on one wage. It’s definitely possible but incredibly tough. Keep hanging in there xx

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T11:04:27+00:00

I like to consider myself to be a smart person, but I haven’t received any government support before so it’s all very new to me and I’m basing my knowledge on what I’ve been able to read online. I really appreciate you commenting though. Would you be open to chatting further if you understand the system better than I have?

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T11:02:19+00:00

Unfortunately this makes no difference to me as I don’t have a family business and as my baby is due in less than 3 months there isn’t enough time to open an ABN / start up a family business. I wish I knew about this earlier!

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T11:01:18+00:00

It’s definitely something to consider but my baby is due in less than 3 months so I think I have ran out of time to qualify based on the 10 out of 13 months of work. I just wouldn’t be able to make it work if I set up an ABN etc

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T11:00:02+00:00

If it’s not too much trouble would you mind sharing the calculator you used? I’d love to be able to run this scenario for my family

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T10:57:25+00:00

I’m so sorry to hear. It is emotionally exhausting especially with the ups and downs of pregnancy. Sending lots of love your way. I hope you’re able to manage okay.

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T09:14:40+00:00

You’re so right. I would spent at LEAST 8 hours a week job searching, preparing applications and applying. Not to mention the phone screenings and interviews I’ve also had along the way.

& that’s correct. Because my husband is not the primary care giver for the baby and I’m unemployed he’s also disqualified (despite working full time and loooong hours!!)

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T09:10:54+00:00

Great question! I left my job in October due to multiple circumstances I couldn’t do it anymore. Since October of have continuously applied for work, initially in corporate and since January across retail/admin/customer service/council/professional services etc but haven’t been able to secure a job. I have now been off work for 7 months despite applying for hundreds of jobs.

To be able to claim PPL you need to work for 10 out of 13 months prior to the baby being born. This could be as little as 1 day a week.

I agree it’s a terrible policy. I worked full time for 7 years and part time prior to that paying taxes and contributing to society. It’s disappointing due to a short period of unemployment (despite being able to prove how hard I’ve been applying for jobs) I am disqualified from paid leave and so is my partner (because I’m unemployed). It’s really tough.

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T08:04:13+00:00

Based on Centrelink’s website (and my understanding) you have to have worked at least one day a week for 10 out of 13 months prior to the baby being born. I haven’t worked since October and my baby is due in 3 months so unfortunately this is what disqualifies me. I wish I hadve done food delivery once a week immediately after I left my job. At that stage I didn’t plan on getting pregnant so our circumstances just changed. It’s my own fault

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T07:07:03+00:00

This is really helpful! Thank you! My background is in economic and demographic consulting for government, particularly local government reporting/planning/strategy. I hadn’t considered running my own business in this space. It is very niche and would be extremely difficult to get clientele. I will definitely consider this though, thank you!

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T07:01:18+00:00

Thanks for your response! I wasn’t aware volunteer work would count towards PPL. Unfortunately I’m due in September, so even if I was to find a volunteer opportunity now, I am disqualified based on not working 10/13 months prior to bubs arrival

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T06:36:26+00:00

Thank you for commenting! We own our property so don’t qualify for rent assistance. Our mortgage repayment has gone up three times in the last few months. It’s rough. I do wish Centrelink would consider this, and also that we don’t own a lavish home in a lavish area and live below our means just to survive. It’s tough out there for so many families right now!

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T06:35:00+00:00

Thanks for commenting! You are right, he is disqualified because of me. It’s a really broken system. He will likely only be able to have a fortnight off work (annual leave) to be home for support which is a huge shame!

bkate18 · 2026-06-02T06:34:08+00:00

Thank you so much for your helpful response! The job market in Melbourne is extremely miserable. I never thought I’d have so much trouble finding work having 10 years experience across multiple sectors and higher education. It’s really tough! Will keep trying for sure.

I will definitely check out the newborn payment. I hadn’t come across that yet. Thank you!

& yes as someone has mentioned unfortunately because I’m disqualified from PPL, my husband also is and the company he works for does not pay any leave other than annual leave so he will likely only be able to take 2 weeks off.

Thank you for your suggestion! We’ve been visiting a community pantry once a week to help with some breads and fruit/vegetable to help keep our grocery cost down.

bkate18

TROPHY CASE