Parents Next - Services Australia

A support service for parents with children under 6 who get Parenting Payment. It will help you with your study and work goals. Call 1361 50   Monday-Wednesday 8.30-5pm servicing via telephone/video chat. Regular weekly phone welfare checks and spending as much time as possible with those that want to engage.  ParentsNext is compulsory for most parents with children 9 months to 6 years receiving Parenting Payment Single or Partnered. More info can be found at https://www.dese.gov.au/parentsnext/parentsnext-frequently-asked-questions 

What Is It?

If you’re eligible, we’ll connect you with a ParentsNext provider who can help you with any of the following:

help you set study and work goals

set a participation plan with you

meet with you regularly

help you access services in the local community.

You don’t have to look for work right now. However, it’s important to think about your study and work goals for when your children are school aged.

If you need to take part in ParentsNext, you’ll also have to report your income fortnightly. This is to confirm you’re meeting your requirements to get Parenting Payment. We’ll tell you which day you need to report.

If you no longer have to take part in ParentsNext, you won’t need to report your income if all of these apply:

you get Parenting Payment

you have a child under 6

neither you or your partner are getting employment income.

You’ll still need to meet your other commitments to keep getting Parenting Payment.

You may need to take part in ParentsNext if all of these apply:

you have a child aged 9 months to 6 years

you are under 55

you’ve been getting Parenting Payment and haven’t worked in the last 6 months.

One of the following must also apply:

you’re under 22 and haven’t completed Year 12 or equivalent

you’re 22 or over and haven’t completed Year 12 or equivalent, and have been getting income support for at least 2 years

you’re 22 or over and have been getting income support for more than 4 years.

If you have to take part, we’ll let you know. We’ll make an appointment to talk with you about ParentsNext and refer you to a provider.

Who doesn’t need to take part

You won’t need to take part in ParentsNext if any of the following apply:

you’re under 15 years of age

you live in a Community Development Program region or Norfolk Island

you’ve declared earnings or hours from employment to us in the last 6 months

you’re a current participant in DES or jobactive stream C servicing

you’re getting Pensioner Education Supplement.

You won’t need to take part in ParentsNext if you meet either of these conditions:

you’re currently studying

you’re on leave and have a job to return to.

If either of these apply, you’ll need to give us proof before your appointment with us. This is so we can reassess if you need to take part in ParentsNext.

When you can volunteer to take part

If you’re getting Parenting Payment but don’t have to take part in ParentsNext, you can still choose to volunteer.

ParentsNext requirements

There are things your provider will ask you to do while in ParentsNext including:

going to appointments

taking part in set activities

signing a participation plan.

Your first ParentsNext provider appointment is usually face to face. After that you can choose to attend appointments by phone or online.

If you can’t attend your appointment in person, speak to your ParentsNext provider.

Your payment may stop if you don’t take part when you should and don’t have a reasonable excuse. Read about demerits and penalties.