Mission Australia Midwest Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program WA
The Only Dedicated Grandparent Carer Program in the Midwest
If you are a grandparent raising a grandchild in the Midwest region of Western Australia, Mission Australia's Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program is the main dedicated support service available to you. It covers Geraldton, Meekatharra, Mullewa, Mt Magnet, Cue and Northampton.
Freecall: 1800 951 123
This is distinct from the Perth-based Wanslea (Uplyft) Grandcare service. While Wanslea operates state-wide by phone and administers the Grandcarers Support Scheme, Mission Australia provides on-the-ground support specifically in the Midwest — a region where distances between towns, limited internet connectivity and sparse government office presence make accessing services harder.
What the Program Offers
Mission Australia's Midwest program provides:
Casework support — A worker who understands the practical realities of grandparent care in the Midwest. They can help you navigate Centrelink claims, school enrolment and referrals to other services.
Peer connection — Linking you with other grandparent carers in the region. In smaller towns, this can be the difference between feeling completely isolated and knowing that others are in the same situation.
Information and referrals — Pointing you toward the right agency for each need: Centrelink for federal payments, Wanslea for the GSS application, Legal Aid WA for legal questions, WA Country Health Service for medical concerns.
Practical help — Assistance with paperwork, understanding agency letters, and working through the administrative steps that can feel overwhelming when you are also managing a child's immediate needs.
What the Program Does Not Do
Mission Australia does not administer the Grandcarers Support Scheme — that is Wanslea's role (1800 794 909). They do not process Centrelink claims — that is Services Australia (1800 245 965 for grandparent advisers). They do not provide legal advice — that is Legal Aid WA (1300 650 579) or ALSWA (1800 019 900) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers.
What they do is help you work out which of these agencies to contact and prepare you for the conversation. In a region where driving to the nearest Centrelink office might take hours, that preparation matters.
Free Download
Get the WA Kinship Carer Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
Connecting the Midwest Supports With the Broader System
Whether you are in Geraldton or Meekatharra, you are entitled to the same payments as a grandparent carer in Perth:
- Grandcarers Support Scheme — $1,000/year + $500/$250 cost-of-living top-up + $377 Gold Card energy relief
- Family Tax Benefit Part A and Part B — through Centrelink
- ACCS Grandparent — for qualifying grandparents on income support who are principal carers (65%+ care), up to 100 hours per fortnight with the subsidy covering up to 100% of fees capped at 120% of the hourly rate cap
- Student Travel Subsidy Scheme — travel allowances for students in defined remote areas
- KidSport — up to $300 per eligible child per financial year for sports club fees
Our WA Kinship Carer Support Guide covers every payment, the evidence requirements and the application steps — designed to be useful whether you are navigating from Perth or from a kitchen table in Mt Magnet.
Get Your Free WA Kinship Carer Checklist
Download the WA Kinship Carer Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.