Can I survive as a single parent on one income?
Australian single parents face unique financial pressures, this guide shares budgeting tips, savings strategies, government benefits and emotional support to help you take control and thrive.
What does being a single parent really look like?
I didn’t set out to become an advocate for budgeting. I became one out of necessity. Like a lot of single parents, I was doing it all: earning the income, paying the bills, keeping the fridge full, and raising little (and big) humans, all while trying to make the numbers work on little sleep. Eventually, it all caught up with me.
I realised I couldn’t keep winging it, I needed a better plan. One that meant I could pay rent, cover the bills, and actually save for something that’s not just an emergency fund I raid more often than I should.
That’s when I reached out to MyBudget.
In this blog, I’ll share how that one decision changed everything, including the budgeting hacks I swear by as a single parent.
Can single parents use MyBudget? Here’s how they helped me
Yes. I became a MyBudget client in 2024 after facing a substantial rent increase that felt like the final straw. As a single parent, I’d always managed to find a way, but this time, I hit a wall. I’d wracked my brain for solutions and came up empty.
That’s when I reached out to MyBudget.
They went through my DIY budget spreadsheet with a fine-tooth comb, rearranged my bills, tweaked my savings, and created a realistic budget I could actually stick to.
That rent increase? I never got out of it, but I can afford it now, and I no longer lose sleep worrying about how to pay for it. My savings are growing, my bills are covered, and for the first time in years, I feel financially on track, with a buffer in my bank account, and real peace of mind about my family’s future.
What are the biggest money challenges for single parents?
As of June 2024, there were 1.2 million one-parent families in Australia: 16% of all families. And of those, a staggering 78% were led by single mums.
ABS, June 2024
Money’s tight when you’re doing everything solo on one income, no financial backup, no co-pilot. Here’s what makes it even harder:
- living on one income while covering the cost of two adults
- unpredictable child support or government payments
- limited time to increase income through extra work
- little or no emergency savings
- guilt-driven spending on kids.
Sound familiar? These challenges are common, but they don’t have to be your money story.
How do I create a single parent budget?
Whether you’re a single mum or a single dad, building a single parent budget is one of the most powerful ways to feel in control again. It helps you prepare for everything from school costs to car repairs, and gives you financial independence.
Not sure where to begin? You can get started by downloading our free Personal Budget Template, it’s there to help you whip up a realistic plan that actually makes sense, and works in real life.
Budgeting basics for single parents
List your income: include your pay, Parenting Payment, Family Tax Benefit, Child Support payments, and any side hustle cash.
Break down your expenses:
- fixed expenses: rent, insurance, childcare
- variable expenses: groceries, petrol, power bills.
Create an emergency fund: start with a small buffer, even $20 a week can add up over time.
💡 How much should a single parent have in savings?
A good rule of thumb is to aim for an emergency fund that covers 3 months of essential expenses. Think rent, groceries, utilities, and childcare. Start small. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s protection.
Use our free Savings Calculator to work out how much you’ll need and how to reach your target.
My single parent budgeting hacks
I think living frugally as a single parent isn’t about giving up the good stuff, it’s about getting financially savvy. These hacks are simple, achievable, and low-key addictive once you start seeing the wins:
Adjust your money mindset
Lower your expectations just a smidge, live within your means, and embrace the simple life, it’s honestly the budgeting hack of the century.
Thrift it
Kids outgrow everything. Hit up op shops and Marketplace first. Finding a bargain can become your new hyperfix.
Meal plan like a pro
Download our free Healthy Meal Planning Guide and shop at Aldi. 2 weeks of meals, sorted.
Cut subscriptions
How many streaming services do you really need? Cancel the extras. I even wrote a whole blog about how to stop subscription creep.
Freeze food
Freeze in single portions so you’ve got dinner on standby when you’re about to cave and order take-out
Pause your shopping cart
About to impulse buy? Add it to your cart and walk away. If you still want it by payday, maybe it’s a yes. If you’ve reevaluated, Yay!
Set and forget your savings
Automate a small amount of money into savings each payday, no thinking required.
Waiting at school pick-up?
Complete online surveys or scan your grocery receipts. It’s next level multitasking, and these small amounts add up over time.
Discount codes
Don’t click ‘pay now’ until you’ve searched ‘discount code for [product]’ on TikTok or asked ChatGPT. This trick pays off every. single. time.
These little tweaks add up to big savings. Start with one, build from there.
What financial support is available for single parents?
If you’re raising children on your own, there is financial support available to help lighten the load. Here are some of the key government payments and concessions you may be eligible for in Australia:
- Parenting Payment (Single): a fortnightly Centrelink payment for single parents with a child under 14
- Family Tax Benefit: a two-part payment to help with the cost of raising kids, based on your income and number of children
- Rent Assistance: an additional payment if you’re receiving Centrelink support and paying rent
- Child Care Subsidy: helps reduce the cost of approved childcare, based on your income and activity level
- Healthcare and Concession Cards: may entitle you to cheaper medical bills, medicines, transport, and utility discounts
- School and education allowances: some states offer back-to-school or education-specific subsidies for low-income families.
Make sure to check the Services Australia website and use their Payment Finder tool to see what payments you could be eligible to receive. Even a small payment or concession can help free up room in your budget.
Where can single parents find emotional and financial support?
Support is out there, and it’s easier to access than you think:
- Services Australia Service Finder: a tool to help Australians locate government and community support services in their area
- National Debt Helpline: free advice from financial counsellors
- Lifeline Australia: 24/7 support for emotional wellbeing
- MyBudget: free confidential 2-hour session with a Personal Budgeting Specialist and a 12-month budget plan to keep.
Ready to get started? MyBudget can help!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by single parenting and money pressure, know that there’s a way through, and we can help you get there.
MyBudget has helped me personally and over 130,000 Australians take control of their money and create brighter futures for themselves and their families.
Enquire online or call MyBudget today on 1300 300 922. Let’s make your budget work for you, so you can focus on what matters most.
Start your journey with MyBudget today.
Want to read more single parent journeys: Meet Jenni a single mum who turned her life around with the help of MyBudget.