Federal Dept of Social Services Try, Test and Learn Fund, trialed new and innovative approaches to assist groups of people at risk of long-term welfare dependence. It will ‘help achieve the objectives of welfare reform to develop a modern welfare system that increases the capacity of individuals, reduces the risk of welfare dependency and maintains a strong welfare safety net’. Target numbers were 556 located in Melbourne and Geelong, Vic; Brighton, Clarence & Derwent Valley, Tas; Darwin, NT; Wyong & Newcastle, NSW; Ipswich and Logan, Qld. Here is the evaluation.
Brave Foundation’s Supporting Expecting & Parenting Teens Program, part of the Try, Test and Learn Fund, pairs young pregnant and parenting teens up to age 25 with in-person and virtual mentors for a year to help them set and achieve their goals. An Australia-wide service, funded in 2021 by the federal Office for Women ‘Women’s Leadership and Development Program’ – $6 million to deliver an expanded SEPT program.
Federal Department of Human Services (Medicare, Centrelink, Child Support Agency) Payments for families – Family Tax Benefit, Parenting Payment, Rent Assistance, Telephone Allowance, Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate and Youth Alowance.
ParentsNext helps parents and carers who receive Parenting Payment to plan and prepare for work by the time their youngest child starts school. It will be replaced in July 2024 for a voluntary program.
Services & payments to help new parents before, when and after they have a baby.
Federal Department of Social Services Makes grants available through its Community Investment Program to improve the responsiveness and integration of local community services to increase participation of vulnerable people in the community. Projects funded are services to provide outreach and information and referral services including child support, family relationships, mental health, parenting, research and families and children activity early intervention and prevention services for young people. These services assist young people and their families to improve family relationships, promote family functioning, and support engagement with work, education, training and the community.
Federal Department of Education Helps support families and children through programs and services and benefits and payments and has responsibility for early childhood and child care.
Health Direct Australia Funded by Federal and State governments to provide health information and trusted advice online and over the phone, an after-hours GP helpline and help to find the closest local services for their health issue. Information, advice and support for pregnancy, childbirth and the first year of parenthood or call the free* helpline on 1800 882 436 Advice for pregnant teens around choices, relationships, responsibilities and future plans
Abortion – Health Direct – a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice.
Family Planning Alliance Australia is the nation’s peak body in reproductive and sexual health. It promotes advances in public health through policy insight and advocacy and represents leading health and education agencies across Australia. Family Planning Australia, Sexual Health Vic, True Relationships & Reproductive Health Qld, SHineSA, Sexual & Reproductive Health WA, Family Planning Tas, Family Planning Welfare Association of NT and Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT are members.
Dr Marie – live webchat for support with an unplanned pregnancy, freecall: 1800 003 707
Programs that are no longer operating
Helping young parents (under 19 years of age) while they complete a Year 12 or Certificate II equivalent qualification (Centrelink) in the following areas: Bankstown, Shellharbour or Wyong, NSW, Logan or Rockhampton, Qld, Greater Shepparton or Hume, Vic, Playford, SA, Burnie, Tas, Kwinana, WA. In this program, Jobs, Education and Training (JET) provides child care fee assistance up to 36 hours/week for young parents doing approved study activities. (This was replaced by the Supporting Parents to Plan and Prepare for Employment programme covering the same geographic areas)