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How do I Qualify for a Parenting Payment?

You may qualify for Parenting Payment, either as a parent, grandparent or foster carer, where:

• you are single and have at least one child aged under 8 who is wholly or substantially in your care and who is in Australia (or temporarily outside Australia for less than 13 weeks)
  Please Note: You will have part-time participation requirements* from when your youngest child is aged 6
• you are partnered and have at least one child aged under 6 who is wholly or substantially in your care and who is in Australia (or temporarily outside Australia for less than 13 weeks)
• your and/or your partner's (if you have one) income and assets are below a certain amount, and
• you meet residence requirements.

Please note: People on Parenting Payment before 1 July, 2006, can remain on that payment until their youngest child turns 16 as long as they remain eligible. However, you will have part-time participation requirements* from when your youngest child turns 7 or 1 July 2007, whichever is later.

*Part-time participation requirements involve looking for or undertaking at least 15 hours of work per week and registration with a Job Network provider or undertaking approved study.