09 January 2021
The Mark McGowan Labor Government will provide a $6 million investment in grandcarer support, creating a threefold rise in payments. This is the first time that support to grandparent carers has been increased since it was first introduced in 2013.The average grand family currently receives $650 annually for the children in their care, and under a re-elected McGowan Labor Government, this would increase to $2,000 for the average two children per grand family.
Under the new proposed scheme, grand carer, or kinship carer, payments will transition to an annual, means- tested payment as an equal $1,000 payment for each child. This represents a significant increase as the one-off payment for the first child is currently only $400.
The McGowan Labor Government is also funding $600,000 per annum to Wanslea Family Services Ltd to deliver a suite of programs and services to grandcarers, including in home support, mentoring and peer networking and tutoring for children.
Many grandparents don’t expect a family crisis that leaves them to raise their grandchildren. Often it comes unexpected and we hear from grand carers themselves that financial support is the leading challenge in fulfilling that role.
The McGowan Labor Government will ensure that grandcarers have financial support and can better support themselves and their grandchildren.