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Disability, illness or injury affecting school attendance
We may give you an exemption if your child’s care needs and their ability to go to school affects your availability for work. This is if you’re the principal carer and you need to be constantly on hand or on call while your child goes to school.
You’ll need to give us evidence of your child’s disability or medical condition from your child’s treating health professional that states your child’s condition. The evidence needs to outline the following:
- the extent of assistance you need to provide your child
- the period of time your child requires your assistance and the impacts this has on your capacity to fully meet your mutual obligation requirements.
This evidence will assist to determine the duration of the exemption required.
You will also need to give us a statement from your child’s school about your situation, if your child is attending school when you are seeking the exemption.
Illness during school holidays
If your child attends school, you may get a temporary exemption during the school holidays if you’re caring for them during the day. This is if you have a letter from your child’s treating health professional to confirm you need to be available to care for your child.
You won’t be exempt from your requirements if either of the following apply:
- you don’t need to be available to care for your child
- you can’t find suitable childcare.
If you can’t find suitable childcare, you can talk to your provider if you have one or call us on your regular payment line. Your provider may be able to make adjustments to your requirements or you may need to request that we grant you an exemption.
Short term illness
You may get a temporary exemption if you can’t work because you need to care for your child who has either a:
- short term illness
- temporary medical condition.
If you’re experiencing any of these circumstances, call us on your regular payment line.