Sole Parent Support obligations
There are things you need to do when you're getting a Sole Parent Support benefit. These are called obligations. If you don't do them, your benefit could reduce or stop.
Overview of your obligations
- You have an obligation to tell us if something changes.
- You have an obligation to find or prepare for work – this means you must either:
- look for part-time work, if your youngest child is aged 3-13, or
- prepare for work, if your youngest child is under 3 or you have a health condition, injury or disability that means you can’t work.
- You have social obligations (health and education) because you’re taking care of dependent children.
- If we ask you to, you have an obligation to take part in a Work Ability Assessment or to work with a contracted service provider.
These obligations are detailed on this page below.
Obligations in detail
Select the relevant heading below to find out more about each obligation.
Tell us if something changes
You must tell us immediately if you:
- have a change in your work situation, e.g. starting part-time, casual or full-time work (paid or unpaid)
- become self-employed or start a business
- have changes to your income or financial circumstances
- plan to travel overseas
- have a boarder or renter that moves in or out, or the payments you get from them change
- start or finish study - part-time or full-time
- have changes to personal details, e.g. your:
- name
- address
- contact details
- bank account number
- have changes to your living situation, e.g:
- marriage or separation
- starting or ending a civil union
- starting or ending a de facto relationship
- change in the number of children you support
- have a change in accommodation costs
- are imprisoned or held in custody on remand
- are admitted to or discharged from hospital
- are granted an overseas pension
- have any other change that may affect your benefit entitlement or rate.
Find or prepare for work
Part-time work obligations
If your youngest child is aged 3 to 13 (including any child you get Orphan's or Unsupported Child's Benefit for), you have the following part-time work obligations:
- be available for and take reasonable steps to get a suitable part-time job
- take any offer of suitable part-time or temporary work, or work that is seasonal or subsidised
- attend and take part in any suitable job interviews we ask you to
- take and pass any drug test potential employers or training providers require
- attend and take part in interviews with us as required
- work with us to plan how you'll find a suitable job
- take part in any other activities that we refer you to, such as attend any job training courses, seminars, work experience or work assessments (including rehabilitation, but not medical treatment) that will improve your work readiness or help you get work
- let us know how you're meeting your work obligations as often as we reasonably require.
Work preparation obligations
You have work preparation obligations if:
- your youngest child is under 3 (including any child you get Orphan's or Unsupported Child's Benefit for)
- you can't currently work because of a good and sufficient reason (eg, you have a health condition, injury or disability).
To meet your work preparation obligations you need to:
- take reasonable steps to prepare and plan for work
- attend and take part in work preparation interviews, where we ask you to
- attend and take part in work related activities or programmes such as a work assessment, a programme or seminar to increase particular skills or enhance motivation where we ask you to
- attend and take part in any other activity that we require you to (including rehabilitation but not medical treatment, voluntary work or activity in the community).
Take part in Work Ability Assessments
When it has been agreed, you have an obligation to attend and participate in a Work Ability Assessment.
Take part in activities with our service providers
When it has been agreed that you will work with a Contracted Service Provider, you have an obligation to co-operate with them and to:
- attend and participate in any interview with them
- report to them on how you're meeting your obligations
- complete assessments with the
If you don't meet your obligations
If there's any reason why you can't meet your obligations, talk to us straight away. If you don't meet your obligations without good and sufficient reason, your benefit could be reduced or stopped.
We have a traffic light colour system to help you stay on track with your work-related and social obligations. It lets you know where you're at and what you need to do.
Go to the 'Traffic light system' page to find out what happens if you don't meet the following obligations:
- find or prepare for work
- take part in Work Ability Assessments
- take part in activities with our service providers
- social obligations (when taking care of dependent children).
Go to the 'When you don't meet your obligations' page to find out what happens if you don't meet your obligation for telling us if something changes.
Social obligations
You're expected to take reasonable steps to meet social obligations as a parent or a caregiver. These obligations are to help ensure children get a good start.
You must ensure your dependent child(ren) (including any child you get Orphan's or Unsupported Child's Benefit for) are:
We understand there could be some situations outside of your control that mean you may not be able to meet an obligation right now. For example:
You may be required to meet with us to discuss how you're meeting your obligations as a parent or a caregiver.