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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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!...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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, 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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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 (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...
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...
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....
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 –...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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?...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After buying your home, the settlement process ensures the legal transfer of ownership. You’ll need to prepare for ongoing responsibilities.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
By Jenny Davidson, CEO In September, I had the unique opportunity as CSMC’s CEO to travel to Glasgow for the inaugural meeting on the One-Parent Families and Vulnerability Network (O-PFV). This newly minted network brought together one-parent organisations...
Why so many of us are feeling ‘squished’ and what to do about it For many of us single mums, the ‘juggle’ used to be managing full-time caring parenting with full-time paid employment. Maintaining two full-time roles took energy, time, and...
The support of good friends is priceless for women as some of us are lucky enough to know. Research backs this up. However, research also shows that chronic stress and lack of time to make or maintain friendships, get in the way of both friendships and good health....
After receiving over 1,500 submissions from people affected by the housing crisis and over 100 community organisations, the People’s Commission into the Housing Crisis has now released its final report, ‘Voices of the Crisis’. The People’s Commission was...
On Friday, CSMC spoke to the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs’ inquiry into family violence orders. The Federal Government hearings were established to investigate how to provide better access for victim-survivors in the family law...
