Centrelink provides several benefits for single parents, primarily Parenting Payment (Single) (income support for main carers of young children), alongside Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A & B (to help with costs), and the Child Care Subsidy (for childcare). Eligibility for these payments, including amounts and conditions like income/asset tests and mutual obligations, depends on your specific family situation, such as the age of your children, income, and assets.
Child Support & Child Care
The child-support scheme can provide financial certainty and strengthen resilience in the children's primary household. Child Support has the potential to assist in more secure housing, provide the basics for children and reduce hardship.
What financial help can I get as a single parent?
The payment rate varies based on individual circumstances, including income amount and how many children you have. As of September 2024, the maximum fortnightly payment for a single parent is $987.70, which includes a pension supplement. This gross amount is subject to income and assets tests.
The maximum rate for FTB Part A depends on the age of the child you get it for. The maximum rate for each child per fortnight is: $227.36 for a child 0 to 12 years. $295.82 for a child 13 to 15 years.
Payments you can claim include:
These so-called 'news reports' may pop up when you Google Centrelink, or in emails, on social media, or you may receive a phone call. We can confirm there are NO one-off payments due to be made by Centrelink.
What is the Biggest Mistake in a Custody Battle? In a custody dispute, seeking to alienate the children from the other parent is the worst mistake a parent can make. The court's primary concern when deciding custody is determining what is in the children's best interests. Never will that include parental alienation.
The 70 30 rule in parenting young children is a gentle reminder that you don't need to be perfect all the time. The idea is this: if you're able to respond to your child's needs with love and consistency 70% of the time, that's enough. The other 30%? It's okay to be imperfect.
Through the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, single parents can receive tax credits, food assistance, and cash benefits.
Example: taxable income over $48,000 but under $90,000
Anita is not eligible for the low income tax offset as her income is above $66,667. As Anita's income is more than $48,000 but less than $90,000, she is eligible for a low and middle income tax offset of $1,500.
The annual gift tax exclusion of $19,000 for 2026 is the amount of money that you can give as a gift to one person, in any given year, without having to pay any gift tax. This limit rose from $18,000 in 2024 to $19,000 in 2025, where it will remain in 2026.
The baby bonus started in July 2004 and was designed to address Australia's negative population growth. The bonus was for all families regardless of income and with the first of these babies turning 21 this year, they still haven't reached their earning (and taxable income) potential.
If you're a single parent on a low income, you might be able to get extra money to boost your income. This could include: Universal Credit: made up of a standard allowance and extra payments depending on your circumstances. Child Benefit: financial support if you're the main carer.
The amount of FTB Part A you get depends on your family's income, which is determined using an income test. The current FTB Part A base rate is $68.46 for each child per fortnight, but this isn't the minimum rate of FTB Part A. You may receive less based on your individual circumstances, like your income.
Centrelink Advice
It's common for single parents to overcompensate, solving every problem, avoiding disappointment, or doing everything to keep their child happy.