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Seniors

Grandparents and relatives as caregivers

Grandfather reading to young girlInformation and help is available if you are raising one or more of your grandchildren.

You may be having difficulties with changes to your lifestyle, financial problems, emotional upheaval, legal difficulties, schooling changes and dealing with the generation gap.

On this page:

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren 
Need proof that you are a carer? 
Advice on estate planning

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: An information resource for relative caregivers

This contains information about payments you may be able to claim, your legal rights and responsibilities and guidance for practical day-to-day living with children. It also provides information on government and non-government support and services.

Booklet 1

General information (PDF 2.2MB) (Word 6.1MB)

Emergency contacts, non-government support and services and Australian Government benefits.

Booklet 2

Support for families (PDF 1.8MB) (Word 5MB)

Housing and accommodation, keeping children safe, State Government concessions, children with disabilities and drought assistance. 

Booklet 3

Education, parenting and health (PDF 1.7MB) (Word 4.3MB) 

Schooling in South Australia, immunisation, dental care and Parent Easy Guides. 

Booklet 4

Legal issues (PDF 1.5MB) (Word 4.4MB) 

Australian family law, Youth Courts, Informal Relative Caregiver’s Statutory Declaration, access to birth certificates, making a will and applying for a passport for children.

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Need proof that you are a carer?

The Informal Relative Caregiver’s Statutory Declaration (PDF 67KB) (Word 106KB) is a written statement made in the presence of an authorised witness which says you are informally providing full time care to a relative’s child. 

This will help you with things like enrolling your grandchild in school, being able to consent to medical and dental treatment and accessing government supports and services. 

Frequently asked questions about the Informal Relative Caregiver’s Statutory Declaration (PDF 61KB) (Word 158KB).

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Advice on estate planning

As a grandparent raising a grandchild it is natural to wonder what will happen to your grandchild and your assets if something happens to you. Information on grandparents raising grandchildren (PDF 290KB) (Word 350KB) can be found on our our fact sheet. 

For more information about your rights and responsibilities as a grandparent raising a grandchild, visit our Seniors' rights page.

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