My Experience as an Employed Sole Parent

By Dr. E. McInnes

It is hard enough to find work and meet your children's needs with two parents
on deck to share the work and the responsibility, but the task is even harder
when there is only one parent, when children are young and particularly if they
are close in age.

Going to work means fitting children into an adult schedule that isn't usually very child-friendly.  With three children aged 17, 16 and 10 I have just returned to full-time work after years of part-time parenting, part-time work and part-time study. 

Even so, leaving the house at 8am and returning at 6pm leaves the children hungry for food, hungry for time with mum and each one needs a talk about their day.

Even on average weekly full-time earnings I have found that life is busier but
not financially very different after paying HECS fees and the loss of Parenting
Payment Single and reductions in Youth Allowance. Luckily I am paying a
mortgage on my home so my housing costs have not been affected by increased income.  If I received Rent Assistance or lived in public housing the poverty trap would be much worse. 

Studying while raising children has paid off with secure full-time employment, but unfortunately the low HECS repayment threshold which does not recognise dependents, increases poverty traps which are already severe for single parents. 

The main reward is being lucky enough to have a job, healthy children and a secure home.