The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

2.2.6.10 Shared care situations for PLP

Shared care

PLP is paid on the basis that only one person is the primary carer (1.1.P.230) for the child and PLP instalments cannot be shared with another person, e.g. between separated parents. Apart from claims made in exceptional circumstances (1.1.E.100) or where an adoption or surrogacy arrangement is made by commissioning parents, only the birth mother can be the primary claimant.

If Centrelink is satisfied that 2 or more people, who have lodged claims for PLP in respect of a child, provide an equivalent level of care for the child, Centrelink must decide which person is the primary carer of the child for the purpose of making a payability determination on each of the claims. This situation may arise, for example, where the parents of a child are separated, and both parents of the child make a claim for PLP.

If the individuals are members of the same couple, and both are potentially eligible as primary claimants, Centrelink would generally be guided by the couple's preference as to who is the primary carer when making a payability determination. If there is no other basis for Centrelink to decide which of the 2 carers is the primary carer, and one of the carers is the birth mother, Centrelink will decide in favour of the birth mother.

Act reference: PPLAct section 47 When a person is the primary carer of a child

PPL Rules

Policy reference: PPL Guide 2.2.1 PLP eligibility overview

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