Our Change Initiatives

Our change work takes a collaborative and systemic approach to the challenges we work on, underpinned by behavioural science. We focus on the systems that surround single mothers in particular. Our current focus is on the urgent reforms needed to child support.

A recent Commonwealth Ombudsman investigation found financial abuse through the system is widespread, including parents not making payments, failing to file tax returns and lying to reduce income. Key statistics highlighted by ABC News include:

• There was $1.9 billion in outstanding child support debts as at December 2024
• Outstanding payments disproportionately affect mothers as 84 percent of people receiving payments through the system are female

You can read more about the report via the ABC article here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-03/centrelink-services-australia-child-support-ombudsman-report/105365544

Strategies used by parents to reduce income has a detrimental impact on mothers and their children. Some mothers receive as little as $1.42 per day in child support to help raise their children. According to the Council of Social Service, sole parent families have the highest poverty rate in Australia at 35 percent.

What are we doing?

We are deep diving into the challenges associated with the child support system and exploring interventions. We know policy reform is needed and we are working with a local Member of Parliament to progress this. We are bringing single mothers together to have their stories and experiences with the system heard, and to collectively advocate for change. Our voices join those that have long championed change in this space.

We are also harnessing the voices of all mothers and allies who want to stand for this change. Because we stand in solidarity with each other. We are one community.