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Raise the eligibility of Parenting Payment Single to 16

The Federal government decision in May to extend access to Parenting Payment Single until the youngest child turns 14 (up from 8) is very welcome progress towards reducing poverty in these families.

However, 16,910 single parents with a youngest child aged 14-16 are still struggling to live on the lower JobSeeker payment, an average of $170 less income per fortnight. 

Children aged 14 to 16 are more expensive to feed and clothe. Many need their parents as they navigate challenges in their teenage and high school years. Fostering the wellbeing ...

Raise the eligibility of Parenting Payment Single to 16

The Federal government decision in May to extend access to Parenting Payment Single until the youngest child turns 14 (up from 8) is very welcome progress towards reducing poverty in these families.

However, 16,910 single parents with a youngest child aged 14-16 are still struggling to live on the lower JobSeeker payment, an average of $170 less income per fortnight. 

Children aged 14 to 16 are more expensive to feed and clothe. Many need their parents as they navigate challenges in their teenage and high school years. Fostering the wellbeing of these families will help ensure the children engage with education and develop skills to have a bright future.

Please share your stories with key decision makers to show government the need for this further change as they prepare for the May budget.

Single parents are determined to build the best life possible for their children by supporting their teens. Being moved to JobSeeker classifies these parents as unemployed, rather than providing essential unpaid care work. Many of these parents are facing significant barriers to employment, including living with a disability. Many others already work part-time, and the allowance for part-time income is lower on JobSeeker than Parenting Payment Single.

We also know that gendered violence in single mother families is extensive, and children of all ages can be harmed. Reducing the level of income support lowers mothers' ability to protect their childrne and support their family's recovery.

We need to acknowledge that parenting is work, and single parenting is twice the work.

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Teenagers can be expensive and often need their parent/s to be available as they grapple with school, social and internal challenges.

Single parents of 14-16 year olds will miss out on about $4000 a year by being cut off Parenting Payment Single and moved to JobSeeker.

What will this mean for you and your child/ren?  

Please use the form below to email Senator Katy Gallagher, Minister for Women and for Finance and a former single mother herself, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, and Amanda Rishworth, Minister of Families and Social Services.

Tell them why you support expanding Parenting Payment Single until the youngest child is 16.

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