Website: Jabani Jinna Indigenous Corporation
Phone: (07) 3063 1368
Email: admin@jabanijinna.org.au
Service provided: EPCS
The Queensland Government is in a caretaker period until after the state election. Minimal updates will be made to this site until after the election results are declared.
Turning 18 is a big deal as it means you’re now legally an adult and you can decide how you want to live your life.
For many young people in care, turning 18 can be a little scary as your child protection order ends and the thought of leaving care to live as independent adults can be daunting.
It’s very important you know about all the support that is available to help you after you leave care.
Once you leave care, Child Safety may continue to support you through a Support Service Case.
A Support Service Case is a way of working through a plan put together by you and your Child Safety Officer (CSO) to help make your transition from care easier. In most cases, a Support Service Case will last around 12 months.
If you choose not to have a Support Service Case, your CSO can still provide you with information about the services and agencies in the community that can help you.
Your CSO will work with you to develop your support plan that will include your goals and the steps and support services to help you achieve your goals.
Your CSO will also help and support you in meeting your goals and review your support plan with you until your goals have been met.
For more information about support plans, you can:
If you turned 18 after 1 July 2023, you are eligible to receive Extended Post Care Support (EPCS).
EPCS services will work with you to provide the practical support you need to find a safe and affordable place to live, maintain your connections with family, culture, Country and community, apply for a job or enrol in a training course, and take you to appointments to meet your health and wellbeing needs.
If you leave care to live as an independent adult, you’ll receive financial assistance from your EPCS service of up to $16,000 a year until your 21st birthday to help meet your everyday living costs.
If you remain living with your carer family, your carer will continue to receive the fortnightly care allowance so they can meet your everyday living costs up to your 21st birthday.
Talk to your Child Safety Officer about Extended Post Care Support.
EPCS services are located across Queensland and can be contacted from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
Next Step Plus is a service for young people aged 15 to 25 years who have had a care experience since their 12th birthday.
Next Step Plus can support you after you leave care on your 18th birthday up until you turn 25. Support can include help with managing money and entitlements, preparing a resume or finding accommodation. Support will be determined by you and your needs.
Next Step Plus services are located across Queensland and can be contacted from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
Website: Jabani Jinna Indigenous Corporation
Phone: (07) 3063 1368
Email: admin@jabanijinna.org.au
Service provided: EPCS
Website: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service
Phone: (07) 3240 8900
Email: brighterfutures@atsichsbrisbane.org.au
Service provided: EPCS
Website: Life Without Barriers
Phone: 1800 935 483
Brisbane: (07) 3633 1500
Maroochydore: (07) 5376 6700
Email: nextstepreferrals@lwb.org.au
Service provided: Next Step Plus
Website: YFS Ltd
Phone: (07) 3826 1500
Email: nextstepplus@yfs.org.au
Service provided: EPCS and Next Step Plus
YFS Ltd delivered through Gold Coast Youth Service
Phone: (07) 5572 0400
Email: nextstepplus@yfs.org.au
Service provided: EPCS and Next Step Plus
Website: Jinndi Mibunn - BHDC Ltd
Phone: (07) 3807 0901
Email: healingfootprints@bhdc.org.au
Service provided: EPCS
Website: Life Without Barriers
Phone: 1800 935 483
Ipswich: (07) 3432 7800
Toowoomba: (07) 4616 3100
Email: nextstepreferrals@lwb.org.au
Service provided: EPCS and Next Step Plus
Website: Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement
Phone: (07) 4637 9953
Email: Intake@goolburri.org.au
Service provided: EPCS and Next Step Plus
Website: South Burnett CTC Inc
Phone: (07) 4162 7788
Email: nextstep@sbctc.com.au
Service provided: EPCS and Next Step Plus
Website: Anglicare Southern Queensland
Phone: (07) 5480 4700 or 0439 915 554
Email: NextStepPlus@anglicaresq.org.au
Service provided: EPCS and Next Step Plus
Central Queensland Indigenous Development
Phone:
Bundaberg: (07) 4313 1194
Hervey Bay: (07) 4313 1195
Email: nsp.referrals@cqid.com.au
Service provided: EPCS and Next Step Plus
Website: Nhulundu Health Service
Phone: (07) 4979 0992
Email: nextstepplus@nhulundu.com.au
Service provided: EPCS and Next Step Plus
Website: Life Without Barriers
Phone: (07) 4965 4800 or 1800 935 483
Email: nextstepreferrals@lwb.org.au
Service provided: EPCS and Next Step Plus
Website: Churches of Christ
Phone: (07) 4771 8888
Email: transitiontoadulthoodreferrals@cofcqld.com.au
Service provided: EPCS and Next Step Plus
Website: Churches of Christ
Phone: (07) 4771 8888
Email: transitiontoadulthoodreferrals@cofcqld.com.au
Service provided: EPCS and Next Step Plus
Website: Youth Empowered Towards Independence
Phone: (07) 4051 4927
Email: referrals@yeti.net.au
Service provided: EPCS and Next Step Plus
Youth Housing and Reintegration Services (YHARS) help young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
If you’re aged 17–21 and are leaving or have left care and need help with finding a safe place to live, YHARS can provide support, financial help and access to housing.
Youth Housing Essentials is one-off financial assistance of up to $5,000 for young people up to 25 years to help with the cost of moving to independent living, such as:
Your Child Safety Officer or youth service worker can apply for this financial assistance for you.
TILA is a payment of up to $1500 to assist young people aged 15 to 25 years of age to make the transition from living in care. Check if you’re eligible for the payment. For more information on how to get the TILA payment, talk to your CSO or email TILA@csyw.qld.gov.au.
Sortli is a free mobile app to help you think about your future life and plan for when you become an adult. It was designed with young people who have already left the care system and are living independently, and professionals who work with young people in care.
Sortli will help you find the information and services you need when you need them. It’s fun, informative and easy-to-navigate and can be installed on your Apple or Android mobile devices.
Note that, as Sortli covers some sensitive topics, it is not suitable for young people under 15 years of age.
Find out more and download the app.