Double Orphan Pension Grandchild Claim and Eligibility
What the Double Orphan Pension Is
The Double Orphan Pension (DOP) is a Commonwealth payment for people raising a child when both parents are deceased, or when one parent has died and the other is imprisoned for ten years or more, in care, or cannot be located. It's paid under the Social Security Act 1991 and administered by Services Australia (Centrelink).
The current rate is $111.40 per fortnight per child. It's non-means-tested, so your income and assets don't affect its rate. It can be paid alongside FTB; check eligibility separately for any other Centrelink payment.
Who Qualifies
You can claim the DOP if you're the primary carer of an eligible child and:
- Both parents are deceased, or
- One parent is deceased and the surviving parent is serving a prison sentence of at least ten years, is in care, or their whereabouts are unknown
The child must meet Services Australia's age and education rules; confirm the applicable limit when you call. You don't need to be a relative — though in practice, most DOP claims come from grandparents and extended family members.
You do not need a court order or DCF involvement to claim the DOP. Services Australia assesses eligibility based on the child's circumstances, not the carer's legal status.
How to Claim
Contact the Centrelink Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Adviser Line on 1800 245 965 and tell them you need to claim the Double Orphan Pension. The specialist advisers on this line handle DOP claims regularly and can walk you through the process.
You'll need:
- The child's identity documents — ask Services Australia what it will accept if the birth certificate isn't available
- Death certificate(s) for the deceased parent or parents
- Evidence of the surviving parent's circumstances — ask Services Australia which documents or third-party statements it will accept for your situation
- Proof of care — documents showing the child lives with you (school enrolment, GP letters, or Medicare records)
If you're already receiving FTB for the child, tell the adviser when you apply for DOP. If not, ask whether you should lodge both claims together.
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DOP and Other Payments
Because the DOP is non-means-tested, its rate isn't reduced by your income or assets. A grandmother on the Age Pension who claims FTB Part A ($235.48/fortnight for a child aged 0–12), FTB Part B ($139.86/fortnight when the youngest child is aged 5–18), and the DOP ($111.40/fortnight) can receive all three alongside her pension, subject to each payment's eligibility rules. Check the ATO for the DOP's tax treatment.
What If the Parent Can't Be Found
The hardest DOP claims are where one parent is deceased and the other has disappeared. Services Australia may assess third-party statements or refer a complex or sensitive claim to a Centrelink social worker when usual evidence channels aren't available. Ask the adviser what evidence to gather before lodging.
For Northern Territory carers dealing with bereavement paperwork alongside a DOP claim, the NT Kinship Carer Support Guide includes a claim checklist and an evidence organiser to help you gather everything before your first call to Centrelink.
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