I’ve never heard of this program? Is it in Vic?

Don’t really know what that program is.

I’m unsure what this program is?

Centrelink don’t care about personal circumstances. They deem what you have to do and you do it….if you want to keep getting paid

A lot of my clients have said negative things about it- zero support.
But have heard of them paying for courses so might be worth it

I’ve been on ParentsNext, I think my youngest was 3 going on 4 when I was “advised” by Centrelink that I would have to take part. Might I also add that after that initial letter from Centrelink, they have nothing to do with the program. Trust me, I found that out the hard way when I moved house and called Centrelink to change an appointment with my provider! Parents what?
My advice – talk to your provider about the times that will suit you, and let them work around it. You are the primary carer of your child and you have no obligations to do anything else. You also have no obligation to consider external and costly care for your child while you attend appointments. They need to work around you. Also talk to them about your “activity”. It isn’t what they decide, it what you need and want. It could be something as simple as taking 15 minutes to do something for you, whether that’s grabbing a coffee or taking a walk in the park or just enjoying the peace! Self care is as important as anything else so my provider said. And that’s exactly what I did. I used my appointments to speak to an adult for 15 minutes that wasn’t my mum and wasn’t one of my kids. About something other than housework and kids! Talk to your provider and make sure this works for you, not for them. That is the point of this whole program. Good luck!!

You may need to consider before school care to get to your activity.

I have not experienced it personally, but I’ve also not heard a lot of positive things. It seems like another punitive program. The government has never been supporting of stay at home parents, particularly single stay at home mothers.

I haven’t heard of the parents next program before but wonder if there’s Facebook groups for support?

I am interested to see the answers you get for this. My only advice would be to call Centrelink on extension of this department to see if you can get the answer 🙂

I’m guessing this is a Centrelink based resource? No point arguing it, they don’t see people, just numbers. They don’t get that normal everyday people might have issues performing all their tasks ????

I am married and have 5 children, I have been on the program since around 2017. The beauty of the program is that you don’t have to jump straight back into work, you can opt for upgrading your skills, increase your knowledge on your skills and experience. Hey you may decide that you would like to explore a new career path, all these options and more are available, you just have to ask the question???? For me I will be doing a few online courses to potentially start another home business.