Media Release: Young parent measure will be tailor-made for individuals
9 January 2012
The Hon Brendan O'Connor MP and the Hon Bill Shorten MP
Close to 1,000 young parents have started receiving letters explaining the Helping Young Parents measure that will support them to complete their education.
Minister for Human Services Brendan O'Connor said young parents can be reassured that the new measure is aimed at developing a tailor-made strategy to help them finish their schooling while raising their children.
"When parents meet with Centrelink, staff will present them with a range of study options and support services - but ultimately it's up to the individual to choose what study path they take. Our role is to guide them along the way," Mr O'Connor said.
"This is about equipping them with the education that will help them enter the workplace by ensuring that young parents are working towards achieving year 12 or an equivalent certificate and that their children are involved in activities getting them ready for school."
When the child turns one, Centrelink will help young parents involved in the measure to:
- enrol in an education or training activity that works towards year 12 or an equivalent qualification. There is no minimum hourly obligation each week, however parents must attend the hours required by the chosen education activity.
- be involved in a parenting or life skills activity, or alternatively enrol their children in early childhood education.
"We know that education leads to better life outcomes. Evidence supports the fact that adults who have finished year 12 or an equivalent qualification have more opportunities than those who haven't," Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten said.
"Some young parents may choose to go back to school, but others might choose to do a certificate through an organisation like TAFE. Parents might choose to study online, by distance or face-to-face. These are all options to consider, and it's up to the individual to decide what will work for their family situation.
"Let's not forget that maximum engagement in the workforce is good for the economy. So this is really a measure that benefits everyone."
While government assistance for child care services is a feature of the Helping Young Parents measure, it will be up to parents whether they take advantage of it.
If parents decide child care will help them with their study, Centrelink will link them to child care services and financial support. However if parents prefer to complete their study from home for example, they may not need care for their children.
The Helping Young Parents measure is providing new services and opportunities to people, but it also asks for input from young parents.
"I've noted some concern about the risk of young parents losing Centrelink payments. Centrelink is aware of the responsibilities and expectations young parents have to manage. So long as they keep in touch with us, we will be applying as much flexibility as possible," Mr O'Connor said.
"Parents will only lose their payments if they don't have a valid excuse for not attending appointments or the study arrangements they agree to. If parents can't attend, if they let us know in advance, we can reschedule and their payments won't be affected.
"If parents do have their payments suspended, as soon as they get back in touch with Centrelink and start up their activities again, they will have their payments back paid.
"I want to emphasise that if their current study plan isn't working for them - there is always room to adjust it to make sure it's manageable. We're here to support each individual to find a plan that works for them and their family."
More information about the Helping Young Parents measure is available at www.centrelink.gov.au and www.deewr.gov.au