Elsie’s* story: one mother’s pursuit of a safe and secure future
After leaving family violence, Elsie worked to rebuild a safe future for her children. But years later, secure housing remains out of reach.
News and Updates
Yun Shu’s* story: when just getting by means missing out
Every parent wants to give their children opportunities to explore, learn and create lasting memories. Yun Shu shares how the cost of living and the challenges of raising children alone can make even simple experiences feel out of reach.
Fines and debt piling up? Don’t face them alone.
Raising kids on one income, chances are you’re juggling multiple bills and payments, and maybe even the occasional fine. If debt has started to feel like yet another thing you just can’t get on top of, take a breath. There is help available, and you don’t...
Anna’s* story: the impossible choices too many single mothers face
My goal was simple: to provide the best life I could for my beautiful children, aged four years and five months, as we began our new journey together. At the same time, I was trying to figure out how to heal myself.
How I turned my greatest achievement into my legacy
When CSMC CEO Jenny Davidson updated her will recently, she knew exactly what she wanted her bequest to do. As a single mother, Jenny considered her amazing son to be her greatest achievement and was clear that she wanted supporting single mothers to be her lasting...
Changes to how Centrelink manages debts
Centrelink debt can be a significant source of stress, particularly for single mothers already managing the rising costs of housing, food, childcare and raising children on one income. Recent changes to Centrelink debt rules include a higher threshold for small...
The double cost of unpaid child support
When Emma* separated from her son’s father, she expected that raising their child would at least come with some shared financial responsibility. Instead, she says she quickly found herself navigating a system in which asking for child support could have...
Centrelink, Domestic violence, Featured, Featured - Home, Homepage, My Single Mother Story, News, Uncategorised
A call, a chat, a fresh start
For Sandra*, it all started with a conversation at her local preschool. She was chatting with her local Member of Parliament about the lack of services for single mothers when he suggested she contact Council of Single Mothers and their Children. “I’d...
How a podcast, a sheet mask and a closed door made me rethink Me Time
By Margaret Ambrose Every Thursday night, after dinner and when my teenaged daughters are at their desks doing homework, I go into my bedroom, shut the door, and do something totally unrelated to parenting. Every Thursday, the latest episode of my favourite podcast...
Single parent families should get Family Pass discounts too!
Family Passes are everywhere – museums, zoos, aquariums, sporting events, festivals, attractions and holiday activities – but so often, “family” is defined as two adults and two children. Yep, if you’re a two-parent family you get a discount. If you’re a single...
So you’ve been told you’ve got a Centrelink Debt…
It’s that time of year when Centrelink balances its books, and for many single mums that dreaded notification that there’s a message waiting for you in your MyGov account. For some, that message will be a notification that you have accumulated a...
Work with us!
CSMC is growing, increasing our capacity to support and advocate for single mother families, and we’ve got two employment opportunities now open. If you are interested, please apply, and if you know someone you think would be a great fit, please forward this...
New financial year changes: What single mums need to know
A new financial year means a range of changes that could make a real difference to your household budget. From higher wages and tax cuts to more paid parental leave and increased family payments, several new government measures have now come into effect....
Victoria’s New Portable Rental Bond Scheme
Moving house is famously named as one of life’s most stressful events, and for single mothers, that stress is often multiplied. Between managing change-of-address admin, and keeping life stable for your children, there’s the financial hurdle of the...
Winter School Holidays on a Budget
Free and Low-Cost Activities for Single Mothers in Victoria School holidays can be a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your kids, but they can also bring added pressure when you’re trying to keep everyone entertained on an already tight budget....
Four free alternatives to the emergency department
As a single mother, managing a sick or injured child on your own can feel incredibly overwhelming, especially when it happens late at night or on the weekend. When your child needs medical attention quickly, but it is not a life-threatening emergency, heading...
AusAlert: Important Safety Information
For single mothers experiencing family violence, coercive control, stalking, or technology-facilitated abuse, an upcoming nationwide emergency alert test could create unexpected safety risks. Here’s the risks the alert may pose, who might be at risk, and how...
What you told us: how the fuel crisis is impacting single mothers
CSMC knows that on any given day, single mothers are stretching budgets, finding solutions, and making impossible choices work. However, the results of our study into the impact of high petrol prices make one thing clear: the current fuel crisis and rising cost of...
Women Deliver: reflections
By Jenny Davidson, CEO CSMC It was a landmark moment of concerted collective action to advance gender equality, and a significant privilege for CSMC to attend the Women Deliver conference held in Melbourne over 27-30 April. Over the four days, 6,123 delegates from...
An extraordinary gift
By Jenny Davidson, CEO CSMC In the first days of January, as I prepared to return to work, I opened an email that contained some extraordinary news. “Having considered the very important work done by CSMC and the dedication of its board and staff, we would like to...
Sound for Change
What could be better than a group of talented and passionate female artists coming together to celebrate women, music and art? When they donate money raised to support the work of CSMC! That’s exactly what happened at the Sound for Change event, which was...
Single mums sharing housing
Recently the ABC shared a story nationally – on TV, print, radio and socials – about single mother families who have made the decision to share housing. We hope you will watch it and join us in thanking the women who participated in this important story...
Federal Budget 2026: What’s in it for single mothers & our children
Tuesday night’s Federal Budget delivered a mixed bag for Australian families, and for many single mothers already balancing rising grocery bills, rent, childcare and fuel costs, there’s some welcome news and some disappointments. While the government...
Victorian Budget: Three reasons to smile
When a State Budget is announced, it can feel like a flood of numbers, political jargon, and headlines that don’t really answer the question single mother families are asking: “How will this help me?” For single mothers already stretching every dollar, rising...
The fuel crisis is exposing specific pressure points for single mothers
By Jenny Davidson, CEO CSMC Often, when there’s an economic or global crisis, the first members of the community to be effected are those with the least buffer. We saw that at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, when casual workers were losing their jobs and...
NDIS eligibility is changing
It’s news that is currently short on specifics but could have significant impacts on single mothers: sweeping reform package targeting the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) could see more than 160,000 people removed from the program, as the Federal...
What is Fembot debt & why do you need to know about it?
A new study has revealed the scale of an emerging form of financial harm, commonly known as “Fembot Debt,” where systemic processes are being used in ways that disadvantage single mothers and their children. The research by Swinburne University of Technology shows...
Fun and easy autumn leaf crafts for kids & mums!
Autumn is one of the best times of year to get kids outdoors and creating with what’s right under their feet! Brightly coloured fallen leaves offer awesome opportunities for low-cost, hands-on crafts that build creativity and an appreciation for nature. Here are...
Join our campaign for single mother support during the fuel crisis
Fuel costs have surged to record levels, in another blow to single mothers already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. Advocacy groups, including CSMC, are reporting the devastating impact of the fuel crisis on vulnerable families. Some mothers, especially...
FREE Easter Holiday activities kids and their mums will love!
Stretched budgets don’t have to mean boring school holidays! We’ve done the legwork and found lots of fun and FREE events to keep kids and their mums entertained over the break. 🌳 Outdoor & Nature Fun The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s...
Relationship scams: how to stay safe
Some of us are looking for love; others are happily single but wouldn’t mind an occasional romantic interlude or finding new friendships; and some are just curious. Wherever your interest lies, it’s good to be aware of a growing threat targeting women...
Pressure, not progress
Study reveals spike in the number of single mothers in paid employment A new study conducted by the Herald Sun has revealed a huge jump in the number of single mothers in paid employment, and while some hail it as a great advancement in opportunities for women,...
Remembering Ann Lodge
Ann Lodge: the single mother who challenged taxation legislation in the High Court CSMC is known for being an organisation that has delivered powerful advocacy and support for single mothers for 57...
Comparison websites are targeting single mothers – should you be suspicious?
If you’re a single mum on social media, you may have seen paid ads for comparison websites specifically targeting single mothers. If you’re a single mum, they declare, you could be saving big bucks by comparing energy plans, insurance plans etc. It...
Welcome to CSMC’s Bank of Brilliant Ideas
Single mothers are strong, resilient, determined – and full of great ideas about changes that would make a positive difference to ourselves and our families. The CSMC Bank of Brilliant Ideas helps single mothers share our great ideas! Click on the ideas below...
Global single mother organisations unite
In October, CSMC’s CEO Jenny Davidson joined representatives from 11 single parent organisations across eight countries in León Spain for the first Global Symposium of Single Parent Families. The gathering was made possible by the Isadora Duncan Single-Parent...
Ruth’s Brilliant Idea
Let’s incentivise businesses to provide flexible working arrangements that support single mothers! That’s Ruth’s Brilliant Idea, and it’s one she says will benefit families, businesses, and the entire community. Read Ruth’s proposal,...
Rachael’s Brilliant Idea
Rachael believes that one simple change to Centrelink rules could safeguard single mother families, and allow them to lead safe, happy, and fulfilled lives – and we’re all for it! Read Rachael’s proposal, then leave a comment below!...
The struggles of single mothers with cancer
When Samira*, a 28-year-old single mother living in Melbourne’s west, received her cancer diagnosis she went through what she later learned from other women battling the disease were common reactions: shock, fear, and overwhelm. What she experienced as a single...
NDIS changes: one mother’s story
Background – what the government says The Federal Government has flagged a major overhaul designed to rein in costs and refocus the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), in order to bring it more in line with what it describes as its ‘original...
How to support your child through exam season
If your child is heading into exam season, it can feel like being strapped into a wild rollercoaster: sudden highs, nerve-wracking dips, and emotional twists that can change by the minute. And mums? You’re strapped in for the ride too. Supporting a child through...
Cheap & easy ways to celebrate Halloween
Halloween is that one night we can all embrace the eerie, turning our homes into haunted houses, our gardens into graveyards, and ourselves into something straight out of a scary story. Creating the perfect night of fright doesn’t have to cost an arm or a leg, and...
Growing up in a single mother family: health
CSMC’s report, ‘To Be Seen an Heard’ is based on surveys and focus groups conducted with young people growing up in single mother families across Victoria. They talked with us about many issues impacting their lives, including housing, employment,...
On single mother family poverty
By Jenny Davidson, CEO Council of Single Mothers and their Children This week is Anti-Poverty Week, a time dedicated to spreading awareness about families living in poverty in Australia. For CSMC, working to address systemic issues that lead to poverty for single...
How to speak to your kids about the upcoming social media ban
If you’ve got a child under 16 who is currently on social media, you’ll know 10 December as the date that their world is going to end, the date at which for them life will no longer have any happiness or light. You might also know 10 December as the...
Helen’s Brilliant Idea
Helen, a long-time member of CSMC, doesn’t have just one Brilliant Idea about changes to the superannuation system – she has many of them! Helen has some simple solutions that she believes will leave single mothers better off in retirement. In her first...
Single mother’s guide to starting a vegetable garden
The only thing that tastes better than produce picked straight from your own backyard, courtyard or balcony, is the knowledge that the only cost has been for the plants and the pride that comes from having grown it yourself! Growing your own fruit and vegetables...
New laws target nudify apps
Note: This article contains discussion about child abuse. Nudify AI tools are terrifying to parents, and the federal government is introducing new laws they say will help protect children. Here’s what nudify apps are, what the government is doing, and what...
Maryam’s Brilliant Idea
Maryam has a business idea that she knows could profoundly benefit her community, but the pressures of sole parenting and household responsibilities, combined with limited financial resources, is making that dream unattainable – and she knows she is not...
Changes to the NDIS
Anyone who has interacted with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) knows it has its shortcomings. Now, newly-announced changes are being made aimed at curbing costs and bringing the NDIS back in line with what it calls its “original purpose” – and...
5% Deposit Home Guarantee: the facts, the questions
You might have heard about the government’s 5% Deposit Home Guarantee, a scheme that would allow people to purchase their first home with a fraction of the deposit currently required. For many single mums, this could be a game-changer. Here’s the...
CSMC Bank of Brilliant Ideas
Single mothers are strong, resilient, determined – and full of great ideas about changes that would make a positive difference to themselves and their families. The CSMC Bank of Brilliant Ideas is a project to help single mothers share their great ideas....
Inquiry into Melbourne Public Housing Redevelopment
Why the voices of single mothers must be heard A Parliamentary Inquiry is underway in Victoria, investigating the Victorian Government’s decision to redevelop 44 public housing towers in Melbourne. It comes on the heels of Homelessness Australia releasing new...
Resources & services for young people growing up in single mother families
CSMC’s ground-breaking report, ‘To Be Seen and Heard: Report on young people raised in single mother households’, captured the voices of young people growing up in single mother families, importantly, telling us what they need to feel supported and assist...
New financial year rules, payments & increases impacting single mothers
As the new financial year kicks off, a wave of fresh policies and regulations is set to roll out, bringing changes to everything from road rules to wages and superannuation. Here’s a breakdown of what single mums can expect from July 1 2025. Road Rule Reforms A...
FREE winter school holiday fun!
When the winter school holidays roll around, it can be tricky to keep the kids busy without blowing the budget. Happily, Victoria is full of free, family-friendly activities that are perfect for colder days – you just need to know where to look. Here’s...
Important notice: alleged abuse in Melbourne childcare centres
Warning: This story contains details of alleged child sex abuse that may distress some readers. It’s often said that when you become a mother, you become a mother to all the world’s children. It’s a sentiment that describes the shared grief and...
Social security investigation expanded
You might remember that back in February we shared the news that the Ombudsman had announced it would investigate the Targeted Compliance Framework. The announcement came on the heels of the revelation that every three months, one in three working age...
Some good news on the wages front
This month, single mothers on the minimum wage will get a pay rise, and those doing practical placements as part of their studies will soon start to receive compensation. These changes follow long and committed campaigns by CSMC and other advocacy organisations...
“The problem is the culture of the industry.”
New research shines a light on single mother rental issues It was the question that drove the research for a newly released report by Tenants Victoria in partnership with CSMC: as a group disproportionately experiencing legal issues in relation to renting a home,...
Time-poor single parents struggle to assert rental rights
Single-parent renters struggle to assert their rental rights due to being time-poor with significant caring responsibilities, amid tough market conditions, reports new research from Tenants Victoria, the state’s peak body for renters. Tenants Victoria identified...
Child support system weaponised: Ombudsman
Australia’s child support system is being used to abuse women and children – and the abuse is being facilitated by the very organisation meant to support them. A scathing new report from the Commonwealth Ombudsman has found that men are ‘gaming’...
Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria is coming
Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV), launching in June 2025, is a new government initiative aimed at streamlining the handling of rental disputes across the state. Developed to ease pressure on the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), RDRV...
Low Income Health Care Card
Every single mother who finds themselves no longer eligible for a Commonwealth Government Health Care Card knows the sudden increase in the cost of visiting the doctor or buying medication can be a huge blow to the family finances – but did you know another...
Victorian State Budget: the good and not so good news
While a lot of attention in paid to federal budgets, it’s worth paying attention to state budgets as well, these financial decision often impacting the things that mean the most to single mother families, such as health, education, housing, and local taxes....
CSMC on housing
At the last Census there were more than 30,000 Victorians without a home. Victoria has more people than any other Australian state or territory living in housing stress – that is, on a low income and paying more than 30 per cent of their income on housing –...
How to protect you and your kids from online tracking
Tracking each other on our devices has become part of the way we live our lives. We share our location to tell friends we’re meeting how far away we are; we track our delivery person so we know when to be home to receive our parcel or dinner; we put smart...
CSMC Support Line: help for all single mothers
When she called CSMC’s Support Line, Rani was cold. The heater in her home was broken and although her landlord had promised to fix it, he hadn’t, and Rani was scared to keep asking for fear of being evicted. When Lesley called us, she told the Support...
Son of single mother wins again!
IN BRIEF: The son of a single mother is re-elected as Prime Minister of Australia for a second term What the Albanese Government did for single mothers in their first term What single mothers are asking of the second term Albanese Government When Anthony Albanese...
How raising the rate of social security could make a lifetime of difference
CSMC and our members and supporters have long campaigned for an increase in the payment rate of social security. Single mothers across Victoria have told their stories, signed petitions, and emailed their Members of Parliament while behind the scenes, CSMC has...
Family violence prevention and support: where the parties stand
It’s hard to believe, but at the last Federal Election, addressing family violence was a key campaign issue, with both major parties committing to combat what the now-Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described as a ‘national crisis’. Fast forward three years...
Is the deficit discourse on sole mothers shifting?
Some of you would have heard of Emily Wolfinger, a fabulous academic and single mother, who writes powerfully about single mothers. Emily has contributed a chapter to the newly released book ‘Gone Feral: Unruly Women and the Undoing of Normative Femininity’, where...
Four Corners’ report into childcare: the questions to ask
It’s an episode of Four Corners every single mother with a child in childcare is unlikely to forget in a hurry. Last week, the ABC current affairs program revealed its investigation had exposed that some centres are cutting corners, hiring unqualified staff...
Child Support Webinar: feedback
Child Support Webinar: feedback Name(Required) First Last Email(Required) Enter Email Confirm Email How helpful did you find the Child Support webinar? Very helpful Sufficiently helpful Not very helpful Did the Child Support webinar cover the topics you expected?...
FREE child support webinar
Join CSMC and Victoria Legal Aid for a webinar that answers your most commonly asked questions about child support. This webinar will provide legal information on how the system is structured, what you can do when it is not working for you, and where to get more...
Putting a price on family violence: changes to Family Law
The Family Law Amendment Act 2024, set to come into effect from 10 June 2025, is changing the way judges must handle the division of property in cases where there has been family violence. Yet, while the media have often framed the changes in terms of making a...
International Women’s Day 2025: Accelerate Action
What matters to single mother families in 2025? For over 54 years, Council of Single Mothers and their Children members and supporters have been behind advocacy campaigns that have seen the most significant advancements in our rights and dignity – but...
Social Security under investigation
Imagine that every three months, one in three workers in Australia had their pay suspended. Outrageous, right? All the media and the unions would be on it, the parliament would be abuzz, the Fair Work Commission would grind to a halt because there would be so many...
Bloom: Bendigo
The details Program dates: Feb 10 – April 4, 2025 Duration: 8 weeks, just 2-3 hours per week Online sessions: Fortnightly individual online coaching. Email, phone and referral support provided where required Women’s Wellbeing Day : (Venue to be announced) A...
School Saving Bonus: your questions answered
The School Saving Bonus will provide $400 in support for Victorian school-aged students to use on 2025 school costs. Here are the answers to the questions we’re being asked. How do I access the School Saving Bonus? Parents and carers of students enrolled at a...
Private rental
This is possibly not your first time trying to rent privately, but if you have not been having much luck, follow these tips from single mothers and see if you can improve your chances.
Share Housing
Share housing is choosing to live in a shared space with others, such as other single mothers who understand the highs and lows of raising children. It’s a way to combine affordability with a sense of community.
Public, Social, and Community Housing
These used to be different kinds of housing and despite still having some measures of difference they are largely amalgamated into one list. This is true around Australia.
Emergency Housing
Homelessness is not just sleeping rough or in your car. It can include facing eviction because you don’t have money for rent, couch surfing, living in a tent or more.
Purchasing and Owning Property: Where to Begin
Pretty much everyone who has ever bought a house will tell you they learned a lot. They will also say it’s most useful to learn these things before they purchase. Learning about serious mistakes after purchase leads to more challenges.
Different Ways to Buy a Home
It’s helpful to understand different purchasing methods available and how they work. If you have got this far, you are well on your way and we encourage you to learn more about these approaches.
Settlement Day
After buying your home, the settlement process ensures the legal transfer of ownership. You’ll need to prepare for ongoing responsibilities.
Co-ownership Models
Buying a property with trusted family members, friends, or other single mothers can reduce costs and ease the financial burden. A co-ownership agreement legally outlines ownership shares, responsibilities, and exit strategies.
Cohousing
Cohousing Australia champions a collaborative housing model where residents share resources, responsibilities, and communal spaces. It’s designed to foster connection, affordability, and sustainability while maintaining private living quarters.
Rent to Buy
Rent-to-buy is a flexible housing model designed to help individuals who might struggle to enter the property market through traditional means, such as saving for a large deposit or meeting strict borrowing criteria.
Protecting your investment and your future
Owning a home as a single mother is a significant achievement, and it’s essential to safeguard it from potential claims by future partners. Understanding your legal rights and taking proactive steps can help protect your property.
Buying a Home After Separation: Starting Fresh
Purchasing a home post-separation can be both an emotional and financial challenge. Understanding your rights and options is critical to ensuring a stable future for you and your children.
Less Usual Pathways
Explore housing co-ops, a less usual pathway to home ownership in Australia. Member-run, they offer affordable living, government or private funding, and span the country while encouraging active community participation.
How child support contributes to financial abuse of single mothers
A new report has revealed that the Australian child support system isn’t working for single mothers – and it actually supports and perpetrates financial abuse. Opening the black box of child support: Shining a light on how financial abuse is perpetrated...
Kris was excited about attending her son’s graduation ceremony. Then she received the invoice.
Supporting her son, Tom*, through his final year of school had been a roller coaster, and Kris* and Tom were happy when the final exam was finished. Now they could concentrate on enjoying the school Presentation Night, where Tom and his friends would be recognised...
Standing with the mothers of children Taken Not Given
On the twelfth anniversary of Victorian Government’s apology to people affected by forced adoption practices and the sixth anniversary of the unveiling of the Taken Not Given sculpture, CSMC’s CEO Jenny Davidson attended a event hosted by ARMS and...
How to support your child through exam season
Many mothers with kids sitting exams describe the experience as a ‘rollercoaster’. There are extreme highs when goals are met and study completed, terrible lows when confidence is dipped or the child is overwhelmed, and everything in between. Sometimes...
Cost of living – what’s your story?
The cost of living crisis is one of the biggest stories around and everyone – the media, government, community organisations, mums at school drop off – is talking about it. Life has become so expensive that many of us are now struggling to meet the...
Child-on-child sex abuse: why it is happening and how to recognise the signs
Content warning: this article contains discussion of child sexual abuse. The number of reports of child-on-child sexual abuse – that is, abuse perpetrated on a child by another child – has now overtaken the number of reports of adult-child sexual abuse,...
10 year olds are not adults – so why are we trying them as though they are?
Australia is a vast land, and sometimes it’s easy to look at what’s happening elsewhere in the country and wonder if it has anything at all to do with us. Sometimes it doesn’t – but sometimes what happens in another state or territory can...
