The Single Parenting Payment refers to the Parenting Payment Single (PPS). It is a financial support program provided by the Australian government to single parents or guardians who are the main carers of at least one dependent child.
To be eligible for the Parenting Payment Single, you need to meet the following criteria:
1. You must be the primary caregiver of a child or children who are under the age of 8 (for some exemptions) or under the age of 6 if you are a compulsory participant in ParentsNext. This, however, will soon change. From 20 September 2023, single parents and carers will be eligible to remain on PPS until their youngest qualifying child turns 14. By 14, children have typically settled into high school and need less parental supervision, and single parents are in a much stronger position to take on paid work’ per ‘Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth’
- The Government has also announced that it intends to abolish the ParentsNext employment program from 1 July 2024, and develop a replacement voluntary program Compulsory participation requirements for current participants have been paused from 5 May, but eligible parents may still volunteer to participate.
2. You must be an Australian resident and living in Australia.
3. You should meet the income and asset test requirements, which involve assessing your income and the value of your assets. These tests ensure that the payment is targeted to those who have limited financial means.
4. You must meet the residence requirements, which include meeting specific rules about your time spent living in Australia and your citizenship or visa status.
It’s important to note that eligibility criteria and program details may change over time. For the most up-to-date and accurate information, I recommend visiting the official Australian government website or contacting the relevant government department, such as Services Australia.