Family Assistance/Centrelink & Homeschooling

[Laiste]

So, I'm just wondering about government payments. I currently receive a Parenting Payment & Family Assistance for our kids. Now, I know that if you register (once your child is 6.5 in QLD) that you can continue receiving the Parenting Payment but I was wondering- what if you don't register? Can they stop these payments if your child doesn't go to school? How do they know? Especially if you have younger children that you are getting these benefits for?
Anyone know about this sort of thing? I don't want to have to register eventually, just so I can satisfy Centrelink/Family Assistance office's criteria but we defintely could not do without it !?!

[Kezia]

You only have to look for work or study if your youngest child is over 6, I think. Once that happens, you would need to register or meet the requirements in some other way to continue getting your PP.

[dylan]

as far as i was aware it was when the youngest reached school age too.

[Gemika]

Im glad you can register and keep getting pp i was wondering about that with the new looking for work laws. However does that mean they can come over to your house and check out the sitch?? I remember something like that when I did HS for 6moths in HS

[Ceres]

http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/guides_acts/ssg/ssguide-3/ssguide-3.2/ssguide-3.2.11/ssguide-3.2.11.60.html

Describes Centrelink exemption from job seeking for home-educating parents.

[anaturallearner]

I found the following information while searching Social Security legislation on the internet:

This one has an extensive explanation:
3.2.11.60 Activity Test for NSA/YA Job Seekers - Exemptions - Principal Carer Parents with Special Family Circumstances - Automatic Exemptions
http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/guides_acts/ssg/ssguide-3/ssguide-3.2/ssguide-3.2.11/ssguide-3.2.11.60.html

Definition of Home Education for the purposes of the Social Security Act
http://www.facsia.gov.au/guides_acts/sslaw/ssa/2110d390/764e8d44/26291d26.html

5C. Home educators
5C. A person is a home educator of a child if the Secretary is satisfied that:
(a) the child is receiving, in the person's home, education that wholly or substantially replaces the education that the child would otherwise receive by attending a school; and
(b) the person meets the requirements (if any) of the law of the State or Territory in which the person resides that the person must meet in order to be permitted, under the law of that State or Territory, to provide that education to the child; and
(c) the person is suitably involved in providing and supervising that education.



Beverley

http://homeschoolaustralia.com

[cgull]

So, to clarify, for those who don't know 'the Secretary' means your friendly local Centrelink officer (the Secretary's official rep). But it's not C'link's job to check out your HSing, that's the job of your State reg authority. C'link will want evidence that your child(ren) are registered - eg a confirmation letter. They WILL need evidence, though, once your youngest child reaches reg age. I don't know what people in Vic get in terms of evidence but I imagine a statutory declaration from the parent would work if all else failed.

[rynalee]

We haven't had to prove registration yet, and my youngest just turned 7. We just write "homeschooling" in the relevant place on the form and they've never questioned it.

[Ceres]

Ah thankyou, that is good information!

[ThirdArmBabySlingProject]

People in Victoria get a letter stating their child/ren are registered for homeschooling for the year, and they are being asked to provide a copy to Satanlink ;-)

[irishwillow]

We've never been registered and the girls have done a few years at a private school and 2 years after pulling them out a couple of terms at a small public school...been out again for over 2 years. Altho' I only get a base payment, I DO get the parenting payment and have received the lump sum payment last year for having kids...never been questioned. Touch Wood! I wonder if that's because it's such a small amount, or we just haven't attracted any attention. I'm not game to try and claim the rebate for books in case I have to start following somebody else's rules. :(
Susan

[Ceres]

The education rebate form doesn't ask you for evidence of registration - it shouldn't be a problem..

[irishwillow]

Thanks!!! Still worries me in case we bring ourselves to their attention! "S'funny tho' 'cause if they actually came to check out the girls, if they were open minded, they would see how much more mature and well informed about real life stuff my girls are for their age. Ireland's friend from a private school didn't even know what a mammal or a marsupial was in grade 6. You sometimes wonder what sort of boring drivel they ARE teaching them...when I asked her what she's been learning she has no idea. They learn it, get tested and then forget...sad really!!
Susan