Extend eligibility for Parenting Payment (Single) to support single principal carers with a youngest child under 14 years of age.
The Government will provide $1.9 billion over 5 years from 2022-23 (and $0.5 billion per year ongoing) to extend eligibility for Parenting Payment (Single) to support single principal carers with a youngest child under 14 years of age. The existing eligibility provides support to single principal carers with a child aged under 8 years of age. Improved support for single parents will provide wellbeing benefits particularly for single mothers, who are overwhelmingly the recipients of this payment, and their children. This measure recognises that caring responsibilities can act as a barrier to employment while also recognising that connections with the labour force are likely to improve economic outcomes throughout a carer's lifetime.