The single parenting payment age limit is moving from 8 to 14 years old. This will move about 57,000 single parents from Jobseeker to Single Parenting Payment bosting their fortnightly payment by $176.90 a fortnight.
The single parenting payment was put in place by the Australian government to financially support single parents. The 2023 budget changes the payment scheme. Let’s look at what the changes are and who is eligible to receive the single parenting payments.
It is expected the change will help around 57,000 single parents with an estimated 90% of those being single mothers. Single parents will now move from Jobseeker payments to the single parenting payment receiving a fortnightly increase.
What are the new changes?
Single parents will benefit as the government increases the minimum age to receive payments from 8 years old to 14 years old. This change will result in a $4,576 a year benefit to eligible families. That means if you are a single parent with a child, you can continue to receive single parenting payments until your child turns 14. This is a huge change and will help thousands of single parents and the children of single parents.
If you’re a single parent and your child is between 8 and 14 years old and you’re on Jobseeker, this will benefit you to the tune of $176.90 a fortnight. The changes are set to kick in from 20 September 2023.
The base rate for the parenting payment (single) is $922.10 per fortnight until your child turns 14.
Who is eligible for the single parenting payment?
To meet the eligibility and receive single parenting payments, you must meet all of the following requirements below:
- You’re the principal carer for a child
- You are an Australian resident living in Australia
- Income test: If you earn more than the amounts below, your parenting payments will be reduced.
| Number of children | The income per fortnight before your payment starts to reduce |
| 1 | $202.60 |
| 2 | $227.20 |
| 3 | $251.80 |
| More than 3 | $251.80 plus $24.60 for each extra child |
Quick Review
In summary the changes are:
- Single parenting parent now continues to when your child is 14
- If you’re on Jobseeker and your child is under 14 you move from Jobseeker to Single Parenting Payment
- For single parents of children aged 8-14 this is a $176.90 a fortnight benefit
The changes come into effect 20 September 2023.
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