Australia · Independent guide
Parenting Payment — eligibility, tests and how to claim
Parenting Payment helps the principal carer of a young child. Single parents can get it until their youngest child turns 14; partnered parents until the youngest turns 6. Income, assets and (for couples) partner income are tested.
Official site: Official Parenting Payment page ↗
Who it is for
the main carer of a young child — single parents with a child under 14, or partnered parents with a child under 6.
Main eligibility factors
- You are the principal carer of a child.
- Child age limit: under 14 (single) or under 6 (partnered).
- Residence rules.
- Mutual obligations may apply once your youngest child reaches school age.
Income and assets tests
- Income test (single and partnered rules differ).
- Assets test.
Documents and information to prepare
- Child's details and proof of care arrangements.
- Income and asset details.
- Partner details if partnered.
How to claim
- Sign in to myGov and link your Centrelink online account (create one if needed).
- Check you meet the rules on the official Parenting Payment page.
- Start the claim online, answer every question and upload requested documents.
- Respond to any request for more information by the date given — late replies can lead to rejection.
- Track the claim status in your Centrelink online account or the Express Plus app.
Reporting and changes to check
- Tell Services Australia within the required time (usually 14 days) about changes to income, assets, relationship, address, rent or study load.
- If your payment requires fortnightly reporting, report even when you earned nothing — missed reports can pause payments.
- Keep payslips and statements; you may be asked to prove what you reported.
Common problems and next steps
- Shared care changes — report care percentage changes as they affect eligibility.
- Youngest child reaches the age limit — check which payment applies next (often JobSeeker).