If you’re an orphan

You may be independent if you’re an orphan.

To be an orphan your natural, adoptive or relationship parents must be dead, or legally missing and presumed dead. You aren’t an orphan if at least 1 natural or adoptive parent is alive or presumed to be alive.

To qualify you must be 15 or older.

You may need to give us evidence your parents are dead, or legally missing and presumed dead. This may include 1 of the following:

  • a death certificate
  • a police or coroners statement
  • a statement from a missing persons register
  • documentation from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation.
Page last updated: 10 December 2021.
QC 52722