My family is separating — what now?
- Emotional support
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Family violence support
- Are your children at risk?
- Child abuse
- Family violence orders
- Handing over children where there's potential for conflict or violence
- Planning ahead
- Support for children
- Support for me
- What the police can do
- What to do if you or your children are in danger
- What happens if you leave the family home
- What to do if you suspect child abuse
- Financial support
- Legal support
Government Assistance
If you and your children are escaping family violence, a Centrelink social worker is available on 131 794 to tell you about any income support you may be entitled to receive and advise you about a special one-off Crisis Payment. Depending on your income and circumstances you may be entitled to receive Centrelink benefits or allowances or Family Assistance payments to help you with the some of your parenting costs. Make sure you inform Centrelink and the Family Assistance Office about your family violence situation.
Ask Centrelink about:
- Baby Bonus — helps you with the extra costs you have when a new baby is born.
- Child Care Benefit — helps you with the cost of child care.
- Family Tax Benefit Part A — helps you with the cost of raising children.
- Family Tax Benefit Part B — helps single parents and families with one main income.
- Health Care Card — entitles you to cheaper medicines and some other concessions.
- Low Income Health Care Card — entitles you to Commonwealth health and other concessions.
- Maternity Immunisation Allowance — is a payment to encourage parents to immunise their children.
- Parenting Payment — helps people who are primary carers of children.
- Youth Allowance — can help if your child is aged between 16 and 20 years and studying or looking for work.
- See information about other payments
Things you need to tell the Family Assistance Office and Centrelink
Contact the Family Assistance Office on 136 150 or Centrelink on 136 150 immediately if:
- there’s a change in care for your child
- there’s a change in your child care arrangements
- there’s a change to your marital status
- there’s a change to your family income
- you think your child over 16 will earn over the income limit
- you change your address
- you leave Australia (temporarily or permanently)
- your child starts or leaves school
- your child support payments change
- your shared care arrangement changes
Resources
- Pick up or download a copy of Are you a parent or guardian? This free booklet is available from Centrelink offices and contains information about Centrelink payments.