ParentsNext

Achieve your goals and find work-life balance

Feeling overwhelmed by choosing a direction for your future?
Have goals but don't know where to start?
Need support with balancing study or employment goals with parenting responsibilities?

We're here to help! - Mission Australia's ParentsNext program can assist you to achieve your goals and be ready to re-enter the workforce as your child reaches school age, increasing your independence and having a positive impact on the quality of your family life.

Find your next step with ParentsNext

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Who is ParentsNext for?

You can access ParentsNext as a voluntary participant if:

Your youngest child is under 6 years of age; and
You are in receipt of Parenting Payment; and
You reside in an eligible Local Government Area
Are not already a current ParentsNext Compulsory Participant.

Our Process

Mary achieved her goal:

When the pandemic hit, Mary lost her job as a teacher. Unemployed and managing three children, she felt overwhelmed and unsure about the future.

She connected with Judy from Mission Australia ParentsNext. Judy listened to Mary and her dreams of becoming a psychologist. Recognising her potential, she helped Mary plan and enroll into a psychologist degree.

"It would have been extremely difficult to continue with my studies without the ongoing support from Judy and the team from Mission Australia ParentsNext” Mary

After three years Mary will be graduating from her degree with flying colours.

"I couldn’t believe I was awarded an Academic Award from the Facility and will be graduating with the highest GPA within the Medicine and Health Facility". Mary

ParentsNext with Mission Australia

We can meet with you in person or over the phone – whatever is convenient for you. We also have child-friendly sites you if you choose to meet face-to-face and you want to bring your child/ren with you. Once we get to know you, we’ll work together on a Participant Plan that caters for your specific needs. This may include things like:

Accessing relevant activities and services to improve your personal situation and work-readiness
Using interpreters
Increasing your literacy and numeracy skills
Referring you to education to help you complete Year 12 or gain a Certificate III or higher qualification
Other activities, including voluntary work.

ParentsNext aims to help you develop:

Confidence to complete education and employment courses and support accessing the technology and materials you need to be successful
Financial awareness and budgeting support
Supportive and meaningful relationships with family and friends
Improved quality of life through accessing clinical mental health and counselling services
Confidence to independently access services, activities and community opportunities
Improved strategies to find work life balance while you meet your parenting responsibilities
Confidence to apply for and sustain long-term employment and offer potential employers a wage subsidy to help you make that transition back into the workforce in a role that fits with you and your family.

Real stories from ParentsNext

Mary, unemployed and unsure of her future

Helping parents achieve their career goals

ParentsNext locations

We can meet with you in person or over the phone – whatever is convenient for you. We also have child friendly sites you choose to meet face-to-face and you want to bring your child/ren with you. Once we get to know you, we’ll work together on a Participant Plan that caters for your specific needs. This may include things like: