Support for careleavers

Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides financial assistance to careleavers aged between 15 and 24 as part of a Leaving Care Plan, based on an assessment of need. Assistance may include help with getting accommodation, setting up house, education and training, finding employment, legal advice and accessing health services.

Assistance can also be provided to care leavers 25 years and older at the discretion of FACS.

Time-limited After-Care Payment

A time-limited After-Care Payment is based on an assessment of need and is made directly to the young person. It is paid fortnightly and reviewed every three months. A young person may be eligible if they:

• are living independently
• are undertaking full-time training or education (unless they can only attend part-time because of health problems or parenting responsibilities)
• need help to get safe, stable, affordable accommodation
• will be at risk of homelessness if assistance isn’t provided
• have been unable to get public housing assistance.

One-off after-care payments

Whether they receive the After-Care Payment or not, an eligible care leaver with an assessed need can receive one-off after-care contingency payments as part of an approved Leaving Care Plan. This is intended to help cover the costs of things such as:

• getting accommodation or establishing tenancy
• buying books, materials or tools
• driving lessons
• contacting Centrelink and JobActive for job-seeking assistance, to access Australian Government childcare subsidies and rebates, or pay deposits to secure a childcare placement
• getting legal advice if this can’t be provided by Legal Aid or LawAccess services
• accessing public health services where possible
• dental treatment not covered by public dental hospitals
• cost of counselling or support, such as independent living or social skills training.

After-care assistance for young people with a disability

In districts that are yet to transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) Leaving Care program provides support to young people with a disability who are leaving statutory care. The goal is to help them live as independently as possible in their community. Referral to this program can be made from when they are 15 years old, or at least two years prior to leaving out-of-home care.

The NDIS is an Australia-wide scheme to support people with permanent and significant disability. It will replace the current disability support system.

The NDIS, which is being rolled out across NSW between 2016 and 2018, will give people with disability real choice and control over their lives by allowing them to decide what supports they receive, when and how often. Preparation for leaving out-of-home-care will be included in NDIS planning as the young person approaches turning 18 years old.

During transition to the NDIS, ADHC and other FACS services will work together with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to support the needs of young people with a disability.

For more information about after-care assistance for young people with a disability, contact your caseworker, your ADHC case manager, or your NDIA contact if the NDIS is available in your area.