Single parenting payment cut-off raised from eight to 14

Single parents can expect a massive leg up in the federal budget, with Anthony Albanese to announce a move that will deliver over a $4576 a year windfall to some families.

Single parents who rely on welfare will not be forced back to work until their youngest child is 14 in a move that will deliver a $4576 a year windfall to eligible families.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has long maintained the decision of the Gillard Government to make single mums go back to work when their youngest child was eight was a mistake, is announcing the change today.

The decision overturns one of Julia Gillard’s most controversial policies by allowing single parents to stay at home for four more years without being moved to JobSeeker.

The changes will overwhelmingly impact single mothers, some of whom were affected by family violence.

Eligible single parents currently on JobSeeker as a result of the changes are also winners under the changes and will secure an increase to payments of $176.90 per fortnight.

This is an issue close to my heart.

Single parents, who are overwhelmingly women, carry the world on their backs.

Our budget is lightening that load.

We’re expanding access to the single parent payment so it covers families until the youngest turns 14, up from 8.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) May 7, 2023

Single parents who rely on welfare will not be forced back to work until their youngest child is 14 (stock image) Picture: iStock

Extending the financial safety net for single parents

Under the changes the government will extend the Parenting Payment (Single), so eligible carers can access that support until their youngest dependent child turns 14.

From 20 September 2023 single parents will no longer have to transfer to JobSeeker when their youngest child turns eight.

These parents will continue to receive the higher support, with a current base rate of $922.10 per fortnight (95 per cent of the Age Pension), until their youngest child turns 14.

More than 90 per cent of parents who will benefit from this change are single mothers.

“Single parents carry the world on their backs,’’ the Prime Minister said.

“They sacrifice so much to give their children a better life.

“This is about giving them the greater security and better support they deserve.

“No one held back and no one left behind has always been the principle that guides me.

“This change to single parent payments is about making things fairer for parents who are already doing it tough.

“I know this will make a big and immediate difference for tens of thousands of mums, dads and children right across Australia.”

“Single parents carry the world on their backs,’’ the Prime Minister said.

“Single parents carry the world on their backs,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Social Services, Amanda Rishworth said she was proud that the government was making the change.

“No parent should have to choose between meeting their children’s needs and their family’s safety or economic security,’’ she said.

“Reduced opportunities to participate in paid work, coupled with the additional costs associated with raising children, make single parent households more vulnerable to economic insecurity.

“Labor’s changes will support more single parents and their children to ensure they have the safety net they need and that they are supported to re-enter the workforce when their children get older.

“We will always seek to do more to provide a safety net to those who need it.”