Supporting Carers Of Other People's Children - Australian Foster ...

Initial exemptions are for up to 12 months andare then reviewed.If you are a single principal carer parent onNewstart Allowance ― including if you havemoved from Parenting Payment (Single) toNewstart Allowance when your youngestchild turns eight, and you have an automaticexemption from participation requirementsbecause of caring responsibilities ― you willbe paid a higher rate of Newstart Allowanceequivalent to the Parenting Payment (Single)rate.This higher rate recognises that ‘foster carer’single parents take on a greater role thanparents caring for their own children, and thelikely extra costs involved. This higher rate ofNewstart Allowance is only paid if you are afoster carer singleparent who hasan automaticexemption.Note: Any extraincome youearn is subjectto the NewstartAllowance incometest.If you have anexemption, butyou chose to lookfor paid work,the Governmentwill provide youwith assistance― that is, you willhave the same access to government-fundedemployment services as other parents onincome support.What is a ‘ registered and active’ fostercarer?Registered and active foster carers are definedas:• a person who meets the requirements ofthe law of the state or territory in which theperson resides in order to be permitted toprovide foster care in that state or territory,and• the person is actively involved in providingfoster care in that state or territory.To be eligible for an automatic exemption fromparticipation requirements, you must alsohave a child which qualifies you as a ‘principalcarer parent’ for income support purposes.Principal carer parents are recognised as theprincipal carer of a dependent child under theage of 16 years and are eligible to receiveincome support payments in relation to thecare of that child. If you are a ‘registeredand active’ foster carer but not considereda principal carer parent and do not receiveincome support in relation to a child, you arenot eligible for an automatic exemption fromparticipation requirements.‘Registered and active’ foster carer includesprincipal carer parents who are kinshipor relative carers, as well as emergencyand respite carers who care for childrenintermittently or irregularly. You need to haveformal documents to give to Centrelink froman authorised foster care agency in your stateor territory (this can be both government ornon-government agencies) confirming that youare ‘registeredand active’.Note: Centrelinkwill usedocuments fromthe relevantstate or territoryauthority todecide if you area ‘registered andactive’ fostercarer.What happensto carerswho are notconsideredregistered andactive?Automatic exemptions from participationrequirements should apply to you once yourstatus as a ‘registered and active’ foster careris verified.If as a principal carer parent, you have had achild placed in your care with the knowledgeof the relevant government authority in yourstate or territory, but you are not considered tobe a ‘registered and active’ foster carer in yourstate or territory, you are not eligible for anautomatic exemption. However, when caringfor a foster child affects your ability to work orlook for work, and a relevant state or territorygovernment department can provide evidence(such as a formal letter) to substantiateyour claim, then you may be eligible for ashort term, case-by-case exemption fromparticipation requirements. Depending onthe circumstances, these exemptions can berenewed.Note: If you are a single parent in thiscategory, you are not eligible for the higher11