Media Release
Practical back-to-school advice for separated families
15 January 2008
As the bell rings in the 2008 school year, the Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, is today urging all separated and separating parents to make a back to school plan for their children.
There are more than 900,000 children of school age in Australia whose parents are registered with the Child Support Agency.
“For many of these children this will be the first time they are going back to school after their parents have separated,” Senator Ludwig said.
“The beginning of the school year provides a good opportunity for separated parents to put together a practical parenting plan. This should include things like school drop-off and pick-up times, extra curricular activities, school holidays and don’t forget the special days like birthdays, Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day.”
Senator Ludwig said that parents can pay up to 30 per cent of their child support payments towards school-related expenses such as school fees and school uniforms.
“Parents should contact CSA first if they need more information about how they can credit these payments against their child support,” he said.
CSA also has a range of free publications with plenty of helpful advice for separated parents. Me, my kids and my Ex has a parenting plan to help separated mums and dads create a schedule appropriate for the age, needs and personality of each of their children.
CSA’s new booklet and website for teenagers – Family Separation: a guide for Teens - has useful hints and tips and contact details for support services. The booklet can be viewed online and it can be ordered online or by calling 1800 040 972.
CSA’s free interactive CD-ROM, Dealing with Separation, allows parents to enter details into a “Parenting from a distance” diary; use a weekly routine planner and calculate how they will share information such as their child’s school report and other achievements
Suggestions in the CD-ROM include involving grandparents in a school reading program or a non-resident parent tending a sick child.
CSA booklets and the free interactive CD-ROM Dealing with Separation can be ordered online at www.csa.gov.au or by phoning 131 272.
School Age Eligible Children by State, June 2007
| Payee State |
School-Age Eligible Children | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 years old | 6 to 18 years old | ||||
| Number of School-Age Eligible Children |
% | Number of School-Age Eligible Children |
% | Number of School-Age Eligible Children |
|
| ACT | 672 | 0.1 | 12,394 | 1.4 | 13,066 |
| NSW | 17,414 | 1.9 | 266,944 | 29.5 | 284,358 |
| NT | 586 | 0.1 | 8,006 | 0.9 | 8,592 |
| Qld | 12,841 | 1.4 | 190,533 | 21 | 203,374 |
| SA | 4,329 | 0.5 | 69,620 | 7.7 | 73,949 |
| Tas | 1,564 | 0.2 | 24,169 | 2.7 | 25,733 |
| Vic | 11,980 | 1.3 | 194,050 | 21.4 | 206,030 |
| WA | 5,505 | 0.6 | 85,640 | 9.4 | 91,145 |
| Total | 54,891 | 6.1 | 851,356 | 93.9 | 906,247 |
Media Contact:
Minster’s Office: John Noble—0409 926 397.