Care arrangements for your children

Care arrangements

If it's safe to do so, you may want to discuss with your ex-partner where your child will live and what life might look like for them. You’ll need to consider if you can both:

• provide a safe environment for the child to live in
• take the child to school or child care
• provide emotional support to the child
• afford to care for the child.

If you’re unable to come to an agreement with your ex-partner, you can attend family mediation and dispute resolution for help coming up with a parenting agreement.

Learn more about family mediation and dispute resolution on the Family Relationships Online website.

If you’re experiencing domestic violence

There may be exemptions to attending family mediation and dispute resolution if you’re experiencing family and domestic violence.

Find out about getting legal help.

Child care

Depending on care arrangements, you may want to find a new child care provider. You can get Child Care Subsidy to help you with the costs of child care.

Helping children adjust to new living arrangements

If you have shared caring responsibilities with your ex-partner, you should discuss living arrangements and routines.

Things to consider include:

• consistent bedtimes, rules and routines
• having a safe space in both homes to sleep, study and play
• keeping basic items at both homes, such as pyjamas and toiletries
• a civil and consistent changeover routine.

Your child may also have questions regarding their living arrangements. Be honest with them and answer their questions in a way they can understand.

Try to avoid asking too many questions about their time with the other parent. Let them know they can talk to that parent any time they like.

Changeover routines

When moving your children from one home to another, remember to keep the interactions with your ex-partner consistent. If you’re unable to care for your child, make sure you let your ex-partner know so they can make other arrangements.