What’s next for ParentsNext?

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What are the ParentsNext changes?

In May, the Federal Government announced changes for the ParentsNext program. The first change was to remove penalties for not attending meetings. This meant your payments would no longer be suspended if you missed an appointment or activity.

Removing penalties for parents is a change we welcome! Parenting comes with unexpected challenges, and penalising parents for not being able to make appointments is not fair or an approach that works. This change gives you the choice to engage in the program and greater flexibility overall.

The ParentsNext program will remain active until June 2024, when it will be replaced with a new, co-designed program. Communicare will continue to deliver ParentsNext right up until the program ends.

The support has been nothing but amazing. [My Facilitator] kept me accountable and offered a variety of options to achieve my goal which I did.
ParentsNext participant

So why continue with ParentsNext?

ParentsNext gives you the support you need to achieve your work or study goals. In the 2022-2023 financial year:

100% of the ParentsNext participants surveyed agreed or strongly agreed that they felt supported to achieve their goals

57% of participants recorded an improvement in their job skills and experience

57% improved their motivation and aspirations

ParentsNext can also help by providing funding for courses, licenses or items that can help you reach your work or study goals. All Participants are eligible for funding to assist with:

driving licenses, including lessons and tests,
mobile phones,
work tickets, such as First Aid or Police Clearances,
educational courses,
dlothing for work or interviews,
fuel vouchers or transport assistance.

I have had an amazing amount of support from the team who have always encouraged me to pursue my hopes, dreams and goals. I have had a lot of growth through my time with ParentsNext. When I first started parents next I was in uni part time without paid employment and since my time with ParentsNext I am now a full time uni student with casual employment. Loving the balance of being a mother, Uni student and employee.
ParentsNext participant