A single parent or single legal guardian must demonstrate that they are the natural or adoptive parent of a dependent child within the meaning of s.5 of the Social Security Act 1991 (Cth). In a general sense, this means that the person must show that they are legally responsible (whether alone or jointly with another person) for the day-to-day care, welfare and development of the dependent child and the dependent child is in their care.
Alternatively, the eligible single parent or eligible single legal guardian must show that they are the natural parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian of a person who receives a disability support pension and lives with them.
A parent is not a single parent if they are married or in a de facto relationship. NB: a person who is separated but not divorced is not single.
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