Support for teenage parents

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How can I continue with my schooling?

Teenage parents often find it hard to stay at school or continue their studies. Even getting yourself to school can be a lot of effort.

While it can be challenging, you can get support while you are studying or training.

If you become pregnant as a teenager your school should provide support to help you complete your studies. Your school may be able to adapt:

• the way they teach you
• the way they assess you
• any uniform or dress codes
• the hours you need to attend
• how long it takes to complete your senior years

These changes can help you to continue your education. They can happen while you're pregnant and once you have your baby.

A small number of high schools provide childcare centres or support programs for pregnant students and young parents.

Speak to someone you trust about getting adaptations that suit your needs. You could speak to a member of staff, the school counsellor or your doctor.

What other education options are there?

If you'd rather not attend a mainstream school, you have other options to choose from, such as:

• Home schooling — where your parent is responsible for conducting learning activities, setting assessments and monitoring your progress.
• Distance education — where you are allowed to study at home, usually via enrolling and accessing lessons online.
• Alternative education centres — which may provide on-campus childcare or areas where you can study and feed your baby.
• Vocational education and training providers — such as TAFE, which offer education and training in a wide range of areas.

It's worth trying to continue with your education, as it has many long-term benefits — including job options and financial security.

A good education will help you to support yourself and your child. It also allows you to connect with other people. Sometimes teenage parents feel lonely and isolated when all their friends are still at school.

You have a right to an education. To find out about your rights, visit the Australian Human Rights Commission page for children and young people.

How do I find somewhere to live?

Stable and secure housing is a core need for you and your baby. Think about how you will look after your mental health, and physical and daily needs.

If you can stay with your parents, carer or another support person consider doing so. This may help you deal with the daily pressures of looking after yourself and your child. If a parent or support person is happy to help you, this can give you the stability you need to live well.

There are support services available if you are at risk of becoming homeless or are living:

• in a refuge or crisis shelter
• temporary housing
• at risk of family or partner violence
• in a couch surfing arrangement
• in your car
• in a severely overcrowded home

The government has a list of organisations that provide help with housing. Here are some examples:

• AskIzzy
• Homelessness Australia
• Mission Australia
• The Salvation Army

If you pay rent and receive a Centrelink payment you can apply for Rent Assistance.

How do I find a job?

The government Job Hunting website has a list of services that can help you find work.

Parent Pathways is a free support service that can help you meet your personal, study or work goals. To use this service, you need to:

• have or care for a child aged under 6 years
• not be in paid work
• live in an area that has a Parent Pathways provider

You can also talk to people and visit businesses near your home to get some ideas about where to find work.

Charities such as Mission Australia can help too.

Money management

When you move out of home or have new expenses to manage you should work out your budget. Start by listing your main expenses such as:

• food
• housing
• bills
• clothing
• health
• transport
• childcare

Then work out what income you have and plan how you can pay your bills. You can automate payments so that you don't forget to pay a bill. Writing it all down can help you manage your money and reduce stress.

You might find these services from the Australian government useful when you set up your budget:

• Services Australia — Manage your Money.
• MoneySmart website — practical information on how to get your finances in better shape.

Many banking apps have tools to help you track your spending as well.

What financial support can I get from the government?

One of the biggest worries you might have as a young parent is having enough money to care for yourself and your child.

Your financial situation will depend on your circumstances such as whether you:

• have support from your family
• have a partner
• are earning an income

It's a good idea to check whether you can get any payments from the government.

Parenting support payments

The Australian Government offers a variety of payments to parents through Centrelink, including:

• Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement — if you meet certain eligibility requirements.
• Parental Leave Pay — for working parents who take leave from work to care for their child.
• Child Care Subsidy — to help pay for the cost of approved childcare.
• Family Tax Benefit — to assist with costs of raising children.
• Parenting Payment — the main income support payment to assist with costs of raising children.

Visit Services Australia to set up or check your account about 3 months before the birth of your baby. It can take time to fill out all the forms and requirements. You may need to wait a while before getting any money.

Go online or call the Centrelink Families Line on 136 150 (Mon to Fri, 8am to 8pm) to get started. They can help you find out whether you are eligible for any of these payments.

Other payments

You may be eligible for support payments that are unrelated to having a baby. Learn about some other benefits that could apply to your situation, such as:

• Youth Allowance — if you're a student or apprentice or looking for work.
• Health Care Cards — a concession card to get cheaper medicines.
• Energy Supplement — an extra payment to help with energy bills.
• Crisis Payments — a one-off payment to help in extreme circumstances.
• Telephone Allowance — helps with the costs of a telephone and home internet service.

Some more useful services that can help you manage your bills and government payments are:

• Centrepay — a service you can use to pay your bills and expenses as regular deductions from your Centrelink payments.
• Rent Deduction Scheme — a service you can use to pay your public housing rent straight from your Centrelink payments.

Medicare

When your baby arrives, you get a Parent Pack from your hospital or midwife. Use the forms in this pack to enrol your baby in Medicare.

Register the birth of your baby as soon as possible. If you don't, you may miss out on some payments.

Resources and support

Being a parent can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to go through it alone.

• The Young Pregnant & Parenting Network has resources on policies and services in different states and territories.
• AskIzzy can help you find support services in your area.
• Call a parent helpline such as Karitane Careline (1300 227 464), Tresilian (1300 272 736), the Australian Breastfeeding Association (1800 686 268) or PANDA (1300 726 306)
• Teenagers and young adults aged 18 to 25 years can call the Kids helpline on 1800 55 1800, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They also have email and chat support options.
• Read about what to do when your baby arrives to claim government support.
• Learn more about alcohol use and addiction.