Factsheet
September 2016
Financial assistance for carers of children and young people in care
Financial assistance is available to help foster, relative and kinship carers in their role of caring for a child or young person in out-of-home care (OOHC). This assistance is provided by Family and Community Services (FACS), other state government departments and the Australian government.
The most common types of assistance are listed below. Eligibility for each will depend on individual circumstances and should be checked with the department that provides the assistance or with your OOHC agency.
Non-government OOHC agencies may use other names, have different conditions or processes, or provide different amounts of assistance.
Statutory Care Allowance and Supported Care Allowance
Statutory Care Allowance and Supported Care Allowance are fortnightly payments made to authorised carers as a contribution towards the expense of caring for a child or young person. The payment amount may vary depending on the age of the child, any special care needs and the policies of the accredited OOHC agency.
Contingencies and other one-off payments
Contingency payments are for costs outside the general expenses covered by the fortnightly allowance, for example, specialist medical services or tutoring.
Establishment payments may be available when a child is first placed with you and needs items such as clothing, bedding or personal items.
Compensation for loss or damage caused by a person in your care can be claimed from FACS if you are a FACS carer and don’t have insurance. If you are with another OOHC agency always check with your caseworker for information about their claims process.
Payments to help with education
Teenage Education Payment is paid to carers to help keep 16 or 17 year olds (in some cases 18) stay engaged in education or training. Conditions apply so check with your caseworker to see if you are eligible.
Post Care Education Financial Support is paid to carers who allow a young person to continue living with them after they turn 18 so that they can complete their Year 12 studies. Conditions apply and payment methods vary.
Other state government assistance
School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) – Transport for NSW provides subsidised travel for eligible students (www.transport.nsw.gov.au)
Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP) – Students with a disability who are unable to travel under the SSTS may be eligible for specialised transport assistance from the Department of Education (http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au)
Smart and Skilled – The Department of Industry provides subsidised training and a number of scholarships for those in care (smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au)
Australian government assistance
The Australian government provides allowances and benefits that may be available directly to eligible carers or to the children and young people in their care. For information contact Centrelink or visit www.humanservices.gov.au.
Recipients of some government payments need to meet Mutual Obligation Requirements for work or training. However, authorised carers can apply for a Mutual Obligation Requirements Exemption from Centrelink.
The Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Rebate and Child Care Benefit can help with the cost of raising children or paying for child care. Less well known is the Grandparent Child Care Benefit under which a grandparent with primary care of their grandchild may be able to get extra help with child care fees.
A Foster Child Health Care Card can be issued in the name of the child or young person in your care. The card provides access to cheaper prescription medicines and other concessions on health services.
You may be eligible for the Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement if a child under the age of one comes into your care and you are eligible for a Family Tax Benefit Part A payment.
The Parenting Payment is paid to the primary carer of a child under eight. Conditions apply, including income and asset limits.
Carers of a child with a disability or medical condition may be eligible for a Carer Allowance. Or, if they are unable to support themselves through employment because of the care they are providing, they may be eligible for the Carer Payment. The Carer Allowance and Carer Payment for carers of a child with a disability or medical condition are different to the care allowances paid for providing OOHC to children and young people.
Youth Allowance provides assistance for young people who are studying, training, looking for work or undertaking an apprenticeship. Young people in state care are considered independent for this allowance.
www.facs.nsw.gov.au