Single Parent in Australia? Here's What You Need to Know
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Are you a single mother or single father living in Australia? Welcome to the Frolo single parent community! In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the first things you should be aware of, from building your single parent community, to thinking about finances and support.
Single Parenting In Australia
How Many Single Parents Are There In Australia?
Being a single parent in Australia can be a challenging experience, but the first thing you need to know is that you're not alone. According to the 2021 Census https://phidu.torrens.edu.au/notes-on-the-data/demographic-social/single-parent-families , 15.9% of families in Australia were one-parent families, with 79.8% of single parents being female and 20.2% being male.
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Find Single Parent Friends in Australia
You might feel isolated as a single parent, but as soon as you’ve connected with other people in the same situation as you you’ll feel instantly better. On the Frolo Community app you’ll be able to connect with other single and solo parents in the same situation as you, and find people both online and locally who you can chat with and talk about what you’re going through. Use the ‘Find Me On Frolo’ feature to share your profile with other single parents you meet in your community to build your Frolo connections.
Childcare Support
One of the key considerations for any single parent will be childcare support. Whether you’re a solo parent or splitting time with your children’s other parent, every childcare set-up is unique to your family, so start by considering your options. In Australia, there are several types of childcare available, including:
- Long Day Care: This is a childcare service that operates for at least eight hours a day, five days a week. It is suitable for children from birth to school age.
- Family Day Care: This is a childcare service that is provided in the home of a registered carer. It is suitable for children from birth to school age.
- Outside School Hours Care: This is a childcare service that operates before and after school, and during school holidays. It is suitable for school-aged children.
- In-Home Care: This is a childcare service that is provided in your home by a registered carer. It is suitable for families who have difficulty accessing other types of childcare.
The Australian Government provides financial assistance to eligible families to help with the cost of childcare. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a means-tested payment that helps families with the cost of approved childcare. To be eligible for the CCS, you must meet certain criteria, including work, study, or training requirements. ervicesaustralia.gov.au
Positive Parenting
Single parenting can be a stressful and isolating experience, so it's crucial to build a support system that can help you manage the challenges of parenting alone. We’ve already covered finding single parent friends, but your support system may also include family members and friends.
Children do well when they have parenting that’s nurturing, warm, sensitive, responsive, and flexible, and you will need the support of your friends and family to make sure you have time to look after yourself, too. If you’re navigating co-parenting, remember to try and remove your feelings about your child’s other parent from interactions with and about them that involve your child and take a child-centric approach to the relationship.
Tax Considerations
As a single parent, you may have specific tax considerations. For example, you might be asked to prove that you have custody to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Make sure you have supporting documents to provide the necessary proof, and seek help if you need it. ato.gov.au
Financial Assistance
The Australian Government provides several types of financial assistance to eligible single parents, including:
- Parenting Payment: This is a payment for single parents or guardians who care for a child under the age of eight, or a child between eight and 15 who is studying full-time. servicesaustralia.gov.au/parenting-payment
- Family Tax Benefit: This is a payment to help with the cost of raising children. It is available to all families, including single parents. ervicesaustralia.gov.au/family-tax-benefit
- Child Care Subsidy: This is a payment to help with the cost of approved childcare. .servicesaustralia.gov.au/child-care-subsidy
To be eligible for these payments, you must meet certain criteria, including income and residency requirements.
Welcome to the global Frolo community of single parents!
A Complete Guide to Getting the Most from Frolo
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