If you're raising grandchildren you may be having difficulties with changes to your lifestyle, financial problems, emotional upheaval, legal difficulties, schooling changes and dealing with the generation gap.
On this page:
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Need proof that you're a carer? Advice on estate planning Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: An information resource for relative caregivers
This contains information about payments you may be able to claim, your legal rights and responsibilities and guidance for practical day-to-day living with children. It also provides information on government and non-government support and services.
Booklet 1
General information
(PDF 2.2MB) (Word 6.1MB)Emergency contacts, non-government support and services and Australian government benefits.
Booklet 2
Support for families
(PDF 1.8MB) (Word 5MB)
Housing and accommodation, keeping children safe, state government concessions, children with disabilities and drought assistance.
Booklet 3
Education, parenting and health
(PDF 1.7MB) (Word 4.3MB)
Schooling in South Australia, immunisation, dental care and Parent Easy Guides.
Booklet 4
Legal issues
(PDF 1.5MB) (Word 4.4MB) Australian family law, youth courts, informal relative caregiver's statutory declaration, access to birth certificates, making a will and applying for a passport for children.
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Need proof that you're a carer?
The informal relative caregiver's statutory declaration (PDF 67KB) (Word 106KB) is a written statement made in the presence of an authorised witness that says you are informally providing full-time care to a relative's child.
This will help you with things like enrolling your grandchild in school, being able to consent to medical and dental treatment and accessing government supports and services.
Frequently asked questions about this statutory declaration (PDF 61KB) (Word 158KB).
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Advice on estate planning
As a grandparent raising a grandchild it is natural to wonder what will happen to your grandchild and your assets if something happens to you. Information on grandparents raising grandchildren (PDF 290KB) (Word 350KB) can be found in this fact sheet.
For more information about your rights and responsibilities as a grandparent raising a grandchild, visit the Seniors' rights page.
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