Financial help for single parents in Australia: Resources and grants
Parents in Australia are under tremendous financial pressure from all sides. Raising a child is expensive as it is – let alone during a cost-of-living crisis or if you’ve got to do it on one income. However, there are a variety of financial help options for single parents.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there are 1.2 million one-parent families in the country, with 77% of those being single mothers. Worryingly, as the cost of raising a child continues to increase, a report released in 2025 found that 31% of those sole-parent households were living below the poverty line.
With parents having to make their money stretch further during a cost-of-living crisis, financial assistance for single mothers and fathers has become vital. Let’s take a look at some of the main resources and grants that offer help for single parents in Australia.
Government resources for single parents in Australia
There are several support mechanisms from the Australian government that can provide financial help for single parents.
Family Tax Benefit
The Family Tax Benefit helps Australian families, up to a certain income level, with the costs of raising children. It is divided into two parts. Part A is paid per child, and Part B is paid per family.
- Part A amount as of February 2026:
- Base fortnightly: $72.94.
- Maximum rate for children between 13 and 19 (children aged between 16 and 19 must meet study requirements): $295.82.
- Maximum rate for children under 13: $227.36.
- Part B amount as of February 2026:
- Base fortnightly: $193.34 if your youngest child is between 0 and 4, and $134.96 if your youngest child is between 5 and 18.
Check Eligibility
To qualify for this two-part payment, you will need to:
- have a dependent child or full-time secondary student aged 16 to 19 who isn’t getting a pension, payment or benefit like Youth Allowance.
- care for the child for at least 35% of the time.
- meet an income test.
Read the full conditions for eligibility here.
How to Claim
Access Centrelink online by selecting Apply for Family Assistance Payments (including Paid Parental Leave) on the website. You’ll need to provide supporting documentation. Bank account and TFN details must be provided within 28 days. Other documents will need to be provided within 14 days. Once approved, you can choose whether to receive your payments fortnightly or as a lump sum after the end of the financial year.
Child Care Subsidy
The Child Care Subsidy (CSS) offers financial assistance for single mothers and fathers who need help with the cost of child care.
- Amount as of February 2026: CSS is paid as a percentage of the hourly rate charged by your provider. The maximum you can receive is $12.81 to $39.80, depending on day-care services and whether the child is below or above school age.
Check Eligibility
To get CSS you must:
- care for a child 13 or younger who’s not attending secondary school, unless an exemption applies.
- use an approved child care service.
- be responsible for paying the child care fees.
- meet residence and immunisation requirements.
Read the full conditions for eligibility here.
How to Claim
You can claim the Child Care Subsidy using Centrelink online by selecting Apply for Family Assistance Payments (including Paid Parental Leave) on the website. You’ll need to provide supporting documentation. Be sure to keep Centrelink informed of any changes, such as income, relationship status, and your chosen child care service. However, you don’t need to inform Centrelink if you increase your days with the same child care service, or you change the days you use. Additionally, your child must attend child care at least once in the first 26 weeks after your CCS payment begins.
Parenting Payment
The Parenting Payment Single (PPS) is an income support payment available to single parents and other principal carers who have sole or primary responsibility for the care of a young child.
- Amount as of February 2026: The maximum fortnightly payment is between $726.60 and $998.20, depending on partner status.
Check Eligibility
To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- be under the income and asset test limits.
- meet principal carer rules for a child under 14 if you’re single, or under 6 if you have a partner.
- meet residence rules.
- your partner is not currently getting Parenting Payment.
Read the full conditions for eligibility here.
How to Claim
You can claim the Parenting Payment using Centrelink online by selecting Apply for Parenting Payment under Families or Job Seekers.You’ll need to provide supporting documentation. As part of the claimant process, you will also be assessed for Rent Assistance and the Energy Supplement. It may take longer to receive your payment once your claim is approved if you have recently received a lump sum.
JobSeeker Payment – Principal Carer
The JobSeeker Payment is available for the main care provider of a dependent child under 16 who needs support finding a job. You need to be responsible for the day-to-day care, welfare, and development of the child. To get the payment, there are tasks and activities you must agree to do.
- Amount as of February 2026: The maximum amounts you can receive are $849.90 to $1,027.70 depending on your situation.
Check Eligibility
To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- Aged between 22 and Age Pension age.
- meet residence rules.
- meet the income and assets tests.
And one of the following:
- unemployed and looking for work.
- sick or injured and can’t do your usual work or study for a short time.
How to Claim
You can claim JobSeeker using Centrelink online by going to Make a Claim and selectingApply for JobSeeker Payment.You’ll need to provide supporting documentation. As part of the claimant process, you will also be assessed for Rent Assistance and the Energy Supplement. Depending on your savings and other factors you may be subject to a waiting period before receiving your payment.
Additional government financial help available in Australia
Depending on your personal situation, you may be eligible for other payments or benefits from the Australian Government. While they’re not necessarily specific to raising children, they could provide financial help for single parents in other areas of their lives to make paying bills easier and day-to-day living more affordable.
- Disability Support Pension: Financial help for someone who has a physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that is likely to persist for more than two years and stop them from working.
- Carer Payment: Available to those who give constant care to someone with a disability or medical condition, or an adult who’s frail.
- Pharmaceutical Allowance: A regular extra payment to help with medicine costs if you already get certain payments (including PPS).
- Telephone Allowance: A quarterly payment to help with phone and internet costs if you already get certain payments (including PPS).
- Education Entry Payment: A once-a-year payment made when you start studying and already get certain payments (including PPS).
- Pensioner Education Supplement: A regular extra payment to help with study costs if you already get certain payments (including PPS).
- Mobility Allowance: A payment to help with travel costs for work, study or looking for work if you have a disability, illness or injury that means you can’t use public transport.
- Remote Area Allowance: A regular extra payment if you live in a remote area and already get certain payments (including PPS).
Remember, there will always be a strict set of criteria for eligibility, so it’s important to review all of the qualifications and exemptions for each payment to see if you qualify.
For more information, Services Australia provides help for single parents in Australia, and guidance on raising kids and all of the payments and services available.
How crowdfunding can provide financial assistance for single mothers and fathers
We know you often face incredible odds and difficult challenges as a single parent – dealing with everything from minor medical emergencies to serious medical bills, financial problems or employment crises.
If it’s tough to find support for these challenges through government support, crowdfunding can reduce those financial pressures and provide much-needed financial relief. With no upfront fees, anonymity options and safety features, GoFundMe can be a great way to reach out to a broader community, providing extra help alongside government payments and community support.
One single mother was able to raise just over $24,000 to cover the costs of experimental Alzheimer’s treatment, giving her more time with her daughter.
With crowdfunding on GoFundMe, it’s about telling the story of your fundraiser in a way that compels people to support your cause. Plus, it allows donors to help your family in a very clear, specific and positive way.
Different support options for single parents
Single parents don’t have to navigate financial challenges alone. Here are some of the key places where you can find assistance:
- Get community support: Charities and not-for-profit assistance
Community support is available in the form of funds, counselling, advocacy, and peer support from a wide range of social services. Large not-for-profits have obligations under the Privacy Act, and smaller ones will generally follow the same principles. So, you can access these services privately whenever you need them.
- Council of Single Mothers and their Children: Based in Melbourne, the Council of Single Mothers and their Children offers wide-ranging support for single-mother families.
- Relationships Australia: Relationships Australia aims to help Australians cultivate better relationships and social connections of all kinds.
- Vinnies: Vinnies offers both ongoing and emergency support for everything from financial stress to disaster recovery support.
- Men’s Resource Centre: Located in Coffs Harbour, Men’s Resource Centre offers support for men, including multi-step self-help programs, mental health support, and free breakfast and lunch three times a week.
- Get support for healthcare and medical expenses
Healthcare and medical expense support is available from government services and not-for-profits. Recent changes have given Medicare cardholders more access to bulk-billed services. You can help reduce expenses by:
- Looking for providers offering bulk-billing that covers GP consultations, chronic condition management, mental health plans, and preventative health assessments.
- Getting a Healthcare and Pensioner Concession Card, if eligible. Holders can access GP visits and prescriptions, as well as dental, optical, and hearing services, for free or at subsidised rates.
- Make use of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which subsidises the cost of prescriptions (especially generic brands).
- If you need extra help covering out-of-pocket medical expenses, you can access assistance from charities like the Red Cross or speak with your provider about payment plans.
- Get support for housing assistance and utility bill
Housing is often a major financial pressure for single parents. Help is available in the form of rental assistance, public housing, emergency accommodation, utility concessions, and bond loans. Some Centrelink payments will include Rent Assistance automatically, if relevant. Programs can differ between states. If you need help with utility bills, ask about payment plans or hardship programs they may offer. Gather your documentation in advance so that you have all the necessary information at hand. And don’t feel like you have to wait until you’re unable to make a payment; apply early to minimise financial stresses.
How to manage your finances and build financial stability as a single parent
Gaining greater confidence and control of your finances via budgeting can help make a difference. Free financial services are available from providers like Financial Counselling Australia and ASIC MoneySmart. Just remember, small steps lead to financial stability. Starting points include figuring out which of your bills are most important and always paying them first, and speaking to providers and creditors to see if you can negotiate or organise payment plans.
Fundraising plays a key role in a layered approach to finances that includes government payments, grants, community support, budgeting, and emergency relief. Start by seeking out and applying for any government payments you’re eligible for. Then, explore extra grants and support where necessary.
Why GoFundMe?
We have become a trusted leader in online fundraising since 2010. In Australia, there’s no fee to start or manage your fundraiser on GoFundMe.
With us, you’re also covered by the first and only donor protection guarantee: the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.
Single parents use GoFundMe every day for financial help – raising money for university fees, extracurricular programs, educational travel, medical bills, and more. We’re here to help. Along with this article, we have many more resources with information about financial assistance for single mothers and fathers on our blog. Start your fundraiser journey today and move one step closer to a financial lifeline for your family.