Too many young mothers are trapped on welfare for life. There is a pattern of intergenerational disadvantage in Australia and Third Link Growth Fund has proudly supported Campbell Page’s Young Mothers Pathways Program in Deception Bay, Queensland to create economically independent futures for young mothers.
Since 2021, Third Link has backed the program from its pilot stage. The approach maintains a dual focus on young mothers’ capabilities, education, training, and employment, as well as children’s development and education so that they can thrive. With Third Link’s ongoing support the program has demonstrated a model that reduces the incidence of intergenerational unemployment in the areas it serves by increasing the number of single mothers aged 19-30 in sustainable employment by 20%.
Today, the project in Deception Bay is supporting around 50 young mothers at any given time. As at June 2025, 29% have commenced employment, 26% have worked more than 15 hours per week for over 26 weeks and 39% of have commenced education or vocational training. From the financial support received by Third Link, the program has now expanded to Queanbeyan, NSW – another community with entrenched disadvantage and a high incidence of young mothers.
Critical to this success is the partnership of organisations who have joined forces to make it possible for these young mothers to achieve their goals. Through this model we’re helping young mums like 17-year-old Jodi (name changed) who was pregnant with her first child when we first met her.
We first met Jodi in July 2024
Jodi was in her final trimester and living with her mum, grandmother, and young partner. Her mother and grandmother were preparing to move out, and the lease on their accommodation only had a few months remaining.
Neither Jodi nor her mother were receiving financial support from Centrelink, but her young partner, an apprentice carpenter, was contributing to some of the bills. Both Jodi and her partner were on their learner’s permit with her partner commuting by e-scooter.
We helped her apply for parenting payment in advance of the child’s birth and provided transport to Centrelink appointments.
Jodi becomes a mother
In August, Jodi gave birth to a baby girl. We continued to support her with Centrelink appointments to ensure she had a steady income.
By November, things had become financially difficult. Her partner had left his apprenticeship, leaving the family reliant solely on Jodi’s Centrelink income. Her mother and grandmother had moved out but remained on the lease, as Jodi had no rental history. The lease was due to expire within months.
Over the next few months our support focused on essential needs such as food, finding suitable affordable accommodation and transport to appointments.
We connected Jodi with organisations such as Salvation Army First Response for housing assistance and Encircle for assistance with food hampers and remained a point of coordination to ensure that progress was made and services remained connected.
Jodi plans for her future
By December, Jodi was ready to start planning for her future. She was eager to return to school and complete her QCE.
We connected her with APM and Parent Pathways for additional support, coordinating with services to help her re-enter education.
Jodi applied for the Aspire Program at Deception Bay High School, which supports young mothers to complete their education and provides onsite childcare. Early in the new year Jodi was invited to an interview at school, but was hesitant and ready to decline the interview.
Her family and partner worried she was taking on too much. With the encouragement and practical support of the Young Mothers Pathways team she agreed to attend.
Feeling anxious, Jodi accepted transport support from the team to attend her interview and school tour. We also purchased a bus card so she could travel to and from school and attend Centrelink appointments for rent assistance.
By then end of first term, Jodi was feeling confident and had the highest school attendance among the young mothers studying there.
By the end of Term 2, Jodi was thriving academically. Having access to a reliable laptop made a big difference in her studies. She was pregnant again and determined to complete her qualification before the birth of her second child, with only two modules left to go.
Jodi takes further steps toward independence
Because the lease remained in her mother’s name, Jodi initially struggled to get necessary repairs completed on her rental property, including restoring hot water. We supported her to gather the paperwork to be added to the lease, allowing her to instigate repairs and begin building a rental history.
Jodi was also ready to work towards her driver’s licence. We assisted her with driving lessons and coordinated with other support services to fund additional lessons.
Her partner has since been offered a job, pending medical clearance before he commences work.
Jodi’s story highlights how financially vulnerable young mothers can be, and how quickly circumstances can become precarious. Third Link’s funding of programs like the Young Mothers Pathways Program provides the support and resources young mothers need to navigate challenges, pursue education and work, and build a stronger financial future for their families.
Visit Campbell Page website for more information on this program.
