Challenges faced by parents 102-17010040

• In Australia there is a high proportion of women with children in the workforce
• Participation may assist with the development of community networks
• Participation may provide help with integration of the individual, children and family unit into Australian Society
• Assistance can be given with the development of language skills through linking the customer to Skills for Education and Employment (SEE)
• Role reversal is not what participation is about, that is why the requirements are reasonable and flexible
• Service Officers can assist customers from different cultural backgrounds to identify options both within their own community and within the wider Australian community

Note: parents who are affected by family and domestic violence, in the first instance should be referred to a Services Australia social worker to determine if a family and domestic violence exemption is appropriate.

• Participation provides improved opportunities to engage in wider social contacts which may increase the customer's support network
• Financial independence may improve the customer's situation
• Service Officers can assist customers by providing referral to Services Australia Social Workers, local support groups and other counselling services

• Most parents with children do participate in part-time work or study, often during school hours
• There has been an increase in the number and availability of part-time jobs, especially for women. About one fifth of all part-time positions in Australia are occupied by women
• It is acceptable to combine some paid work with parenting responsibilities. By trying to improve work prospects, there is an increased chance of at least one member of a couple gaining employment
• It doesn't mean swapping roles completely. For example, the partner may be able to look after the children for a few hours a week while the customer does an evening training course
• Service Officers can meet with the customer individually, or with the customer's permission, may also discuss mutual obligation requirements and opportunities with the customer's partner

• Participation is flexible and can be completed within school hours. The compulsory mutual obligation requirement averages 15 hours per week
• Workforce participation gives strong positive messages for children and establishes a good role model
• Children's quality of life can improve when there is additional income within the family
• More quality time can be spent with children
• Improved access to suitable and affordable child care may be available
• Additional income allows customers to improve their quality of life to the benefit of their family

• Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) may be available to assist with the cost of child care and to help the customer find suitable and affordable child care
• Participation could be during school hours, reducing the need for child care
• The customer's partner may be able to help, for example, by looking after the children a few hours a week while the customer does something in the evening or on weekends - perhaps a training course

• Participation provides an opportunity to significantly decrease dependency on income support and to improve opportunities for customers and their families
• Children with positive role models are more likely to minimise the cyclic dependency on income support
• The Working Credit initiative or the use of the Work Bonus removes some of the barriers to taking up employment. Customers:
• can continue to receive some or all of their income support payment while using their Working Credit balance or the Work Bonus to offset their income from employment
• can remain current on income support during the employment income nil rate period for up to 12 consecutive fortnights
• from 1 July 2018, will not be entitled to receive maximum rate Family Tax Benefit Part A (affected only by maintenance received) and Child Care Subsidy (CCS) during the employment income nil rate period. They will be required to submit an income estimate for this period
• begin receiving an income support payment again without having to reclaim if their income decreases during the employment income nil rate period