Extended Post Care Support for young Queenslanders in care transitioning to adulthood

Get ready to participate in a monumental leap for young people’s futures! PeakCare acknowledges the significant advancement made by the Queensland Government in the newly launched extended care arrangements for young individuals transitioning to adulthood, effective July 1 2023. As strong supporters of the Homestretch campaign, PeakCare is thrilled to see the progress made to date in ensuring young people between 18 and 21 are supported as they navigate their early adult years.

Extended Post Care Support acknowledges the invaluable role of family-based carers by continuing placement support to the young person’s 21st birthday, and can also provide for young people’s support needs should they commence living independently at 18. All young people turning 18 from 1 July 2023 who were subject to either a (interim or finalised) child protection order or permanent care order are eligible. Young people subject to a supervision order or directive order are not eligible.

Three new components are now in place:

• New services to deliver culturally appropriate, proactive and practical support to young adults leaving care up to their 21st birthday.
• Financial support of up to $16,000 per year available to young adults who exit care to commence living independently. This financial support will assist in meeting their everyday living costs with facilitating access to housing and connection to Country, culture, kin and community as key priorities.
• Extension of the care allowance for young adults who continue living with their former carer or guardian until their 21st birthday. The care allowance is paid to the young adult’s former carer to meet the everyday living costs of the young adult and is paid at the full base rate until the young adults 21st birthday.

A fact sheet has been developed by the Department of Child Safety to assist service providers in understanding the new types of support available, and to answer FAQs. More information for young people and carers can be found on the Department’s website.