Resources and Grants Providing Financial Help for Single Parents
Single parents in Australia are often under tremendous financial pressure. Raising a child is expensive, especially when you’re relying on only one income and having to navigate high living costs.
The average household spend on a child in Australia is $12,823 per year, which means some single parents will need financial support. In this article, we look at possible ways to get financial help for single parents, so you can make your hard-earned dollars stretch further. Let’s take a look at some of the resources and grants available.
Centrelink & Government Resources
For single parents in need of emergency financial assistance, there are several grants available from the Australian government—this includes Centrelink social security payments and services.
1. Parenting Payment Single (PPS)
This is the primary income support payment if you’re a young child’s main carer. How much Parenting Payment you can get depends on your individual circumstances. 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
- Meet residence rules.
Parenting Payment is a fortnightly payment.
2. Family Tax Benefit
The Family Tax Benefit is a two-part payment that helps with the cost of raising children. The Part A payment rate is determined by your personal situation, and Part B is calculated based on the age of your youngest child and your income. To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have a dependent child or a 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.
It can be paid either fortnightly or as a lump sum at the end of the financial year.
3. Child Care Subsidy
Offering financial assistance to help you with the cost of child care, the Child Care Subsidy provides a lifeline to single parents. You can use the government’s Payment and Service Finder to estimate how much you’re eligible for. Before you do so, you need to meet the below:
- 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
- Residency and immunisation requirements.
The subsidy is paid directly to your child care provider to reduce the fees you pay.
4. Single Income Family Supplement
Another way to get financial help as a single parent is the Single Income Family Supplement, which is an annual payment of up to $300. To get this payment you must:
- Have been eligible for the supplement since 30 June 2017
- Care for an eligible child
- Have one main income earner with a taxable income between $68,000 and $150,000
- Not have a second income earner with a taxable income above $18,000.
The amount you receive depends on your household income and the number of days you were caring for an eligible child.
5. Jobseeker Principal Carer
If you’re a single parent who has recently lost your job and is actively seeking employment, you’ll be able to apply for the Jobseeker Principal Carer allowance. However, there are tasks and activities you need to do to keep getting your payment.
You must report the employment income you get paid every 14 days, even if it’s $0. You may also be asked whether you’re meeting your requirements as part of your report.
You must meet your requirements to keep getting your payment. If you don’t, demerits and financial penalties may apply. You’ll get a penalty if you don’t:
- Accept a suitable job offer
- Start a job you’ve accepted.
6. Family Home Guarantee
The Family Home Guarantee offers single parents or eligible single legal guardians of at least one dependent the opportunity to buy a home sooner.
It is administered by Housing Australia on behalf of the Australian Government, with 5,000 places available and a minimum deposit of 2% required. The criteria for eligibility includes:
- A single parent or single legal guardian of at least one dependent
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident
- At least 18 years of age
- Earning no more than $125,000 per year
- Intending to be the owner-occupier of the purchased property
- Not currently owning property.
7. Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme
This scheme offers a group of payments for parents and carers of children who can’t go to a local state school. To get this, your child must meet living age and study requirements. They must also meet one of the following:
- Be geographically isolated
- Have a disability or special education need
- Have no reasonable access to a government school.
Payments are either made per term or every fortnight.
8. Education Subsidies
It’s also worth checking what education subsidies are available in your area. How much financial support you’re able to receive will depend on the state or territory you live in. Payments are made to cover school fees for the year ahead, as well as other costs such as uniforms, textbooks, electronic devices, and future excursions.
Charities that help single parents
Some amazing Australian charities offer an alternative to government support, whether that’s through funding or free advice. Here are some of the main charities that offer financial help for single parents.
9. National Debt Helpline
Whether you need helpful information about covering utility bills, paying child support, or dealing with school expenses, the National Debt Helpline supports you in managing periods of financial difficulty.
Their professional financial counsellors offer a free, independent and confidential service to help you get back on track and tackle debt problems.
10. The Smith Family
This charity believes that education has the power to change lives, which is why it focuses on helping young Australians overcome educational inequality caused by poverty. Every day they work with thousands of children and their families to help them unlock better futures.
Last year, 162,534 disadvantaged children and young people received support through Smith Family programs.
11. The Salvation Army Money Care
Offering financial help for single parents in the form of advice and guidance, The Salvation Army’s Moneycare service supports you in solving your financial issues.
They offer step-by-step advice on how to put your money problems behind you, including services such as financial coaching and counselling and no-interest loans.
12. Council of Single Mothers and their Children
If you’re a single mother living in the state of Victoria, then the Council of Single Mothers and their Children is the charity for you.
They provide specialist support services to single mothers in need, so they can plan long-term and build a happy and secure home. This includes assisting single mothers on a range of issues such as Centrelink payments, housing, work and study, and parenting arrangements.
13. Mission Australia
Mission Australia provides invaluable support to vulnerable Australians. They help individuals and families with homelessness, drug-related issues, disability support, and so much more.
They also do great work in supporting people who suffer from family and domestic violence. They assist people at risk through safety planning, provision of emergency accommodation, advocacy, and access to various legal and social welfare networks.
How crowdfunding can help single parents
Single parents often face incredible odds and difficult challenges, dealing with everything from minor medical emergencies to serious financial or employment crises. If it’s tough to find single parent government grant money and support, crowdfunding can reduce those financial pressures and provide much-needed relief.
With crowdfunding on GoFundMe, it’s about telling your fundraiser story in a way that compels people to support your cause. While asking for support can be intimidating, crowdfunding rewards you with an opportunity to help your family in a very clear, specific, and positive way.
Not only does crowdfunding mean you’re not overly reliant on government support as a single parent, but it also improves your story’s reach and ensures it’s heard by millions of people online—helping to raise awareness.
Here are some fundraising tips to get started.
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. However, there is one small transaction fee per donation that covers all your fundraising needs. Everything else goes directly to your cause, because that’s what matters most.
On GoFundMe, you’re covered by the first and only donor protection guarantee: the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee. Plus, you can begin withdrawing funds as soon as you start receiving donations.
Aussies use GoFundMe every day to get financial help for single parents—raising money for university fees, extracurricular programs, educational travel, medical bills, and more. We’re here to help. Start your fundraiser today and find a financial lifeline.