What is parenting payment? Generally, parenting payments refer to the main income support payments a primary caretaker receives for expenses involved for raising the children.
Parenting payments are financial support government payments coming from the government directly to help parents or carers to cover the living expenses of raising children. The amount of financial support a parent may receive will depend on their family situation.
Perhaps you are the parent with the most responsibility over the kids. Therefore, it is important for you to know about parenting payments. This article discusses what is parenting payment and the relevant matters surrounding it.
What Is Parenting Payment in Australia?
In Australia, a person may receive a parenting payment from the Australian government if they are the primary caretaker for their children, meaning they have the most amount of responsibility over their children.
They are the parents who spend most of their time with the children, providing day-to-day care, welfare, and development for children. A person can receive parenting payments if they:
- Live in Australia,
- Are an Australian citizen or an Australian resident,
- Are a protected Special Category Visa (SCV) holder,
- Meet the income and assets test,
- Are the principal carer of a child,
- Have a partner who is not currently getting payments for parenting,
- Have qualifying children aged under 16.
- You must not have claimed payment before the birth of the child, and
- Meet principal carer rules for a child under 8 if you are single, or under 6 if you are partnered.
The Australian government, mainly Services Australia helps primary caretakers receive such payments. Since primary caretakers dedicate their entire time to children, they receive financial aid.
What Is Parenting Payment and What Are the Kinds of Family and Parenting Payments?
The Australian government provides primary caretakers with various income support payments to help with the cost of raising children. You may be eligible for family and parenting payments if you meet the criteria mentioned above. These payments include:
1. Additional Child Care Subsidy
This payment offers additional financial assistance to cover childcare costs that are higher than those covered by the Child Care Subsidy percentage. A person may apply for the Additional Child Care Subsidy if they are:
- A grandparent, foster, or kinship carer caring for a child more than 65% of the time and are getting income support payments,
- Returning to work and their income is below a certain amount,
- Experiencing temporary financial hardship in the last 6 month, and
- Caring for a child who is vulnerable or at risk of harm/domestic violence, abuse, or neglect.
2. Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme
This payment is for families with children under a specific age who are unable to attend a local government school on a daily basis due to location issues, mental or physical disabilities, and any other relevant reasons. Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme may aid in:
- Boarding Allowance,
- Second Home Allowance,
- Distance Education Allowance, and
- Pensioner Education Supplement.
3. Carer Adjustment Payment
This is a one-time parenting payment for full-time caregivers of children under the age of 7 who have:
- Suffered a catastrophic event that has left them with a serious disease,
- A serious medical condition, or
- A major impairment.
A person may only apply for this payment after their child’s initial diagnosis. Families in need of this payment are those who are struggling financially.
4. Carer Allowance
This payment is for those who provide care for an aged person who needs assistance or for someone with a handicap or a serious disease. Furthermore, both the caregiver and the individual receiving care must meet the eligibility requirements.
5. Crisis Payment
The crisis payment is a one-time grant for those who are in serious financial need, particularly those who are victims of family violence.
6. Dad and Partner Pay
This is a two-week payment for qualified biological fathers, partners of birthing mothers, adoptive parents, and surrogate parents. Additionally, it is intended to assist these parents raising children who are newborn or recently adopted. Read more about childbirth maintenance here.
7. Double Orphan Pension
Children whose parents are unable to care for them or have passed away are eligible for this payment. Additionally, the caregiver must spend at least 35% of their time with the child.
8. Parental Leave Pay
Parents are eligible for the paid parental leave period if they:
- Are the primary carer of a newborn or newly adopted child,
- Have met the income test and work test,
- Are not working during their paid parental leave, and
- Have registered or applied to register their child’s birth with their state and territory birth registry.
What is Parenting Payment and How Much Is It?
As of March 20, 2023, the maximum fortnightly payments will depend on your circumstance and consists of the following:
- If you are single, you can receive parenting payment up to $943.40, and a pension supplement of $27.20;
- If you are partnered, you can receive up to $631.20; and
- If you are partnered but separated due to prison or illness, you can receive up to $745.20.
Single parents can also receive other benefits from the Australian government as well, such as family tax benefit A or family tax benefit B. Read more about how much is parenting payment here.
What is Parenting Payment vs. Child Support?
Many often confuse parenting payment with child support, thinking that these two are the same. But parenting payment and child support are entirely different.
Parenting payments are separate from child support as these payments are made from the government directly.
On the other hand, child support factors in if you divorce or separate. Your former partner may be liable to pay child support payments depending on a number of factors. You can use child support payments for a variety of purposes such as food, clothing, housing, and educational or health-related expenses of the child.
Seeking Legal Advice from Expert Family Lawyers
Perhaps you are going through struggles as the family’s primary carer and are in need of legal services and advice as to what is parenting payment.
JB Solicitors has a leading team of expert family lawyers who can help with your situation. We can offer market-leading legal advice on how you may receive as much support as you can get. We can also answer any questions you may have regarding what is parenting payment.
Do you have any more queries on what is parenting payment? Contact us today.
