Your financial supports, where you'll live and learning to drive

Finding a place to live

It’s important to have a plan for where you want to live after care. 

Some options might include, staying on with your carer or family, renting, living with friends, living in student accommodation or living in social housing.

Talk to your caseworker about your options. If you’ve already left care, you can call the Care Leaver's Line on 1800 994 686 or careleaversline@facs.nsw.gov.au.

If you move houses, you're allowed to keep personal items, clothing, and equipment (such as car seats, wheelchairs, or furniture) that may have been purchased for you while in care. 

Helpful support services and websites that can help you find a rental property are: 

• Housing Pathways - a service by DCJ which helps people search for properties, pay rental arrears, make a tenancy application, pay a bond, understand tenancy agreements and eviction notices and other rental property support services.

•  NSW Tenant Union – this union advocates for tenants in rental properties. They help you understand your rights and provide advice for when you’re renting. 

• Money Smart– this is a federal government service that provides helpful resources on how to make a budget, pay off debts and other money related information. 

• NSW Fair Trading – this is a government body that holds the rental bond you pay when you move into rental accommodation. They also help with disputes between tenants and landlords and can give advice on other rental-related questions. 

• Realestate.com.au  – this site lists private rental properties for rent around Australia. It lists inspections, available rentals and their prices. 

Financial help when you leave care

Understanding what financial help you may need is an important part of leaving care planning. Your caseworker may include paying for driving lessons, helping buy a laptop, setting up your new home, helping pay for courses, or buying work uniforms. 

The Independent Living Allowance is a fortnightly payment of $250 to help with the cost of accommodation and other essential needs.

You are eligible for the Independent Living Allowance if you:

• are 18 to 20 years old 
• lived in out of home care for at least 12 months before you turned 18
• did not leave care before the age of 18 following an adoption, guardianship or restoration order
• live independently
• don’t own the house you live in
• need support with housing and essential living expenses

The Staying on Allowance is a fortnightly payment for carers who continue to look after young people after they turn 18, up to 21.

The fortnightly payment is $544 in the first year, when you are 18, then it goes down to $400 when you turn 19 and $250 when you are 20. 

If you wish to stay with your carer after 18, your carer may be eligible for the Staying on Allowance if:

• they were your carer when you turned 18
• you spent at least 12 months in out of home care before they turned 18
• you have not been adopted, restored to your birth family or received a guardianship order before your 18th birthday
• you consent to your carer receiving the Staying on Allowance

Speak to your caseworker to check your eligibility and include these allowances in your leaving care plan.

Transition to Independent Living Allowance  (TILA) is a one-off payment of up to $1,500 per person for young people aged between 15 and 25 years. 

This money can be used to: 

• buy household items such as a fridge or couch 

• pay for counselling and medical expenses

• pay for education and training courses

• get a driver's licence

• purchase any other items or services agreed between you and your caseworker. 

Your caseworker will need to apply on your behalf. Talk to them about adding it to your leaving care plan.  

You may also be eligible for the Aftercare Allowance as well as Youth Allowance. 

Housing support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office can provide housing support. They can help you find a home, provide tenancy support and other housing related resources. 

To contact the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office you can call  1800 727 555 or visit NSW Aboriginal Housing Office.

Centrelink support services

Centrelink provides a range of services that can help with your financial situation. You may be eligible for special financial support depending on your circumstances.

Some of these support services include: 

• Centrelink social workers  – this service is available to everyone providing counselling, support and information for your circumstances.

• Community engagement officers  – this service is available if you’ve had trouble accessing services through Centrelink. They can help you find information, payments and services. 

Accessing private rental assistance through the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ)

Private Rental Assistance helps young people who are eligible set up or maintain a tenancy in the private rental market.

DCJ provides the following services:  

• Rentstart Bond Loans – an interest free loan to help eligible young people pay a rental bond for a tenancy.

• Bond Extra – offers up to $1500 to landlords and agents to cover rental arrears and/or property damage that cost more than the rental bond. Bond Extra is valid on the lease for up to 12 months or until the tenancy is terminated. 

• Rent Choice Youth – is for young people between 16 and 24 years who:  

  • can live independently  

  • are homeless or at risk of homelessness, or 

  • are eligible for social housing and who plan to start work, education or training. 

If you get a subsidy, you must be able to keep your rental. You will need to be financially independent after the subsidy ends. For more information and eligibility, see DCJ Private Rental Assistance or call the Housing Contact Centre on 1800 422 322.

Applying for social housing

Social housing is secure, affordable housing for people who are in need of accommodation and are on a low income.

It includes:

• public housing properties managed by DCJ and Aboriginal Housing Office
• community housing properties managed by not-for-profit, non-government registered community housing organisations. 

For more information on how to apply, see DCJ social housing

Temporary accommodation

Temporary accommodation is urgent, short-term support for anyone experiencing homelessness. It helps people get a chance to secure alternative accommodation, whether that's crisis accommodation or a private rental. 

If you're in need of urgent accommodation, you can contact the 24-hour Link2Home hotline on 1800 152 152. If you would like more information on urgent accommodation and homelessness services, see DCJ's are you homeless?

If you need urgent assistance and you’re in danger, call  000.

Learning to drive support

Free Safer Drivers Course

Young people who are or were previously in statutory out-of-home care are eligible to attend a Safer Drivers Course for free.

The course is designed to teach you how to reduce road risks by developing safe driving behaviour and understanding speed management, gap selection, hazard awareness and safe following distances. On completion, you'll also earn a bonus 20 hours log book credit. 

Driver Licensing Access Program (DLAP)

The Driver Licensing Access Program (DLAP) is a free program providing support to people in NSW who face extra challenges in getting a licence.

DLAP is available to vulnerable young people and can help you with: 

• getting a learner licence
• getting on-road driving experience
• progressing to a provisional licence
• regaining a licence