Resources for grandparent carers

• Support Groups
• Centrelink Information
• Legal Help
• Government Reports
• Other Useful Resources

Centrelink Information

• General information page for grandparents
• Information on available allowances: Family tax benefit, Child care benefit, Carer allowance, Carer Payment, Parenting payment, Newstart allowance, Double orphan pension and Youth allowance.
• Are you a Parent or guardian Help Sheet.
• Help after someone dies.
• Family Assistance Office (located in Medicare Offices, Centrelink Customer Service Centres and ATO access sites)
  Phone: 13 61 50, open between 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  TTY Service Freecall 1800 810 586 (for people who are deaf or who have a speech or hearing impairment)
  Phone: 13 12 02 for information in languages other than English.

Legal Help

There is a useful Family Law website, or try the Australian Law Online website.

The Family Court provides useful information.

The Child Support Agency (CSA) is set up to administer the Child Support Scheme and help separated parents take responsibility for the financial support of their children. CSA has more than 2600 staff around the country helping around 1.2 million Australian parents.

State and Territory Law Societies' websites:

• Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory
• Law Society of New South Wales
• Law Society of the Northern Territory
• Queensland Law Society
• Law Society of South Australia
• Law Society of Tasmania
• Law Institute of Victoria

Law Society of Western Australia

Government Reports

ABS Family Characteristics- Australia June 2003, released in September 2004. This survey collected details on household and family composition including demographic, labour force, and family type.

COTA National Seniors New South Wales report "Grandparents as Carers" published February 2005. You can order copies of the report by calling 02 9286 3860 or by email: info@cotansw.com.au

COTA National Seniors report "Grandparents raising grandchildren" published in July 2003

Other Useful Resources

General information about family law may be obtained by calling the Family Relationship Advice Line. It is not a legal advice line. The Family Relationship Advice Line is a free telephone information service for people experiencing family and relationship problems. The number is 1800 050 321. You can also get useful information from their web site.

There is a range of community based organisations that provide family support services including counselling, mediation, conciliation and post-separation education. These services are aimed at assisting couples and families to resolve disputes instead of going through the courts. These services also assist families in dealing with ongoing post-separation issues, such as parenting. The Family Relationships Services Program directory is available on the Department of Family and Community Services website.

Various projects are funded through FaCS (listed at end of media release), grandparents may wish to contact the funded organisation if they are interested in the service.

Mirabel book: A resource book for Kinship Carers. Hardcopies of the Mirabel book can be obtained from Mirabel and contact details at the site. You can also obtain a copy through Centrelink social workers or by telephoning 03 9527 9422 or on the Department of Families and Community Services website.

The Kid’s Help Line provides a 24 hour telephone and online counselling service for children and young people in Australia. They may be contacted on 1800 55 1800 (freecall) or visit their website.

Older People Speak Out, an organisation that held a forum on grandparenting issues which resulted in releasing a report on grandparenting, November 2002.

Lifeline, free telephone support, counselling and referral for anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Phone: 13 11 14

Childcare Access Hotline, free of charge, for information on childcare.
Phone: 1800 670 305

National Childcare Accreditation Council, an easy way to find a suitable childcare centre near you.

Family Relationships Services (through Catholic Welfare Australia, Family Service Australia and Relationships Australia)

To find Relationships Australia in your State or Territory
Phone: 1300 364 277

Family Drug Support provides a 24-hour, 7 day national support line with an emphasis on supportive, non-judgemental listening.
Phone: 1300 368 186
Email: trimmo@tig.com.au

There is a 24 hour telephone counselling and referral service is available to men through Mensline Australia, phone: 1300 789 978 for men who are seeking to manage their relationships with partners, ex-partners and children, especially following divorce and separation. The Men and separation - Choices in tough times guide is available from Mensline, Relationships Australia, and community organisations.

• Australian Childhood Immunisation Register
  
• Immunise Australia Program
  
• Australian Taxation Office
  
• Child support Agency
  
• Family Services Australia, phone 1300 365 859
  
• Centacare Australia, phone 02 6281 1087