The Australian Government last week announced it would abolish the controversial ParentsNext program from 1 July 2024 and replace it with a new voluntary program.

Pending its abolishment, all compulsory requirements for participants in ParentsNext would be halted from 5 May 2023.

ParentsNext is a targeted pre‑employment program that aims to prepare parents in receipt of Parenting Payment to plan and prepare for employment before their youngest child begins school. Under the program, participants are subject to mutual obligation requirements. These include attending appointments with a provider, agreeing to a participation plan and completing activities set out in the plan.

In February 2023, the House Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services recommended that the program be abolished.

Comments are closed.