Planning your transition to adulthood
Transitioning to adulthood is about planning for the time when you reach adulthood and are no longer in care.
When you're around 15 years of age, your Child Safety Officer (CSO) will start talking to you about planning for your future, and for when your Child Protection Order ends.
Case plans
As part of your case plan, you and your CSO will plan for your transition to adulthood. This plan looks at your goals and dreams and how you and your CSO will achieve them.
Depending on your transition to adulthood goals in your case plan, your CSO may help you with:
- getting financial help
- maintaining your bank accounts
- financial assistance for a course of study/apprenticeship/traineeship
- getting a driver licence
- developing life skills and attending courses such as life skills workshops, cooking or budgeting
- living independently or in semi-supported accommodation
- accessing counselling and support services
- transport to visit/reconnect with your family.
Child Health Passport
Your Child Health Passport is the folder with information in it about your health and medical history. The passport is kept by your carer, but you are entitled to keep it once you turn 18 years of age. To get your passport, talk to your CSO or carer.
Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA)
TILA is a payment of up to $1500 to assist people of 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 getting the TILA payment, talk to your CSO or email TILA@csyw.qld.gov.au.
Sortli app
Sortli (short for ‘sort out your life’) is the ultimate guide to becoming an adult.
It is a free mobile app to help you think about your future life and plan your transition to adulthood. It was designed in consultation 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.
Next Step Plus
Next Step Plus ( is a service for young people aged 15 to 25 years who have had care experience since their 12th birthday. Next Step Plus is there to provide you with information and support when you are planning your transition to adulthood. When you turn 15 Next Step Plus can help you to build life skills and work towards the transition goals you identified with your CSO in your case plan.
Next Step plus can also assist you after your transition to adulthood.
You can contact Next Step Plus from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm by calling or visiting one of the following Next Step Plus regional service providers.
South East Queensland Region (Beaudesert, Beenleigh, Bayside, Logan and Browns Plains)
YFS Ltd
- Phone: (07) 3826 1500
- Website: http://www.yfs.org.au/contact-us
- Email: nextstepplus@yfs.org.au
South East Queensland Region (Gold Coast)
Gold Coast Youth Services
- Phone: (07) 5572 0400
- Email: admin@gcys.com.au
- Website: https://www.gcys.com.au
Brisbane and Moreton Bay Region (Brisbane, Caboolture and Sunshine Coast)
Life Without Barriers
- Phone: Brisbane (07) 3633 1500, Maroochydore (07) 5376 6700 or 1800 935 483
- Email: nextstepreferrals@lwb.org.au
- Website: https://www.lwb.org.au
Central Queensland Region (Gympie)
Anglicare Southern Queensland
- Phone: 5480 4700 or 0439 915 554
- Email: NextStepPlus@anglicaresq.org.au
- Website: https://anglicaresq.org.au
Central Queensland Region (Bundaberg and Fraser Coast)
Central Queensland Indigenous Development
- Phone: Bundaberg 4313 1194 or Hervey Bay 4313 1195
- Email: nsp.referrals@cqid.com.au
- Website: https://cqid.com.au
Central Queensland Region (Gladstone)
- Phone: 4979 0992
- Email: nextstepplus@nhulundu.com.au
- Website: https://www.nhulundu.com.au
Central Queensland Region (Rockhampton and Emerald)
Central Queensland Indigenous Development
- Phone: 4920 0000
- Email: nsp.referrals@cqid.com.au
- Website: https://cqid.com.au
Anglicare Central Queensland
- Phone: 1300 769 814
- Email: enquiries@anglicarecq.org.au
- Website: https://anglicarecq.org.au
South West Region (Kingaroy and Cherbourg)
South Burnett CTC (CTC – Youth Services)
- Phone: (07) 4162 7788
- Email: nextstep@sbctc,com.au
- Website: https://sbctc.com.au
South West Region (Charleville, Roma and Dalby)
Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Co Ltd
- Phone: (07) 4637 9953
- Email: intake@goolburri.org.au
- Website: http://goolburri.org.au
South West Region (Ipswich, Toowoomba and Springfield)
Life Without Barriers
- Phone: Ipswich - 3432 7800, Toowoomba - 4616 3100 or 1800 935 483
- Website: https://www.lwb.org.au
- Email: nextstepreferrals@lwb.org.au
North Queensland Region (Mt Isa, Gulf and Townsville)
Churches of Christ QLD
- Phone: (07) 3327 1600
- Email: transitiontoadulthoodreferrals@cofcqld.com.au
- Website: https://www.cofc.com.au
North Queensland Region (Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday)
- Phone: 4965 4800 or 1800 935 483
- Email: nextstepreferrals@lwb.org.au
- Website: https://www.lwb.org.au
Far North Queensland Region (Cairns, Cape York and Torres Strait)
Youth Empowered Towards Independence (YETI)
- Phone: (07) 4051 4927
- Email: referrals@yeti.net.au
- Website: https://yeti.net.au
More information
- Where to get help after your transition to adulthood.
- The Create your future website is packed with information that will assist you when you leave and transition to adulthood.
- Find housing and accommodation support as well as information about the Youth Housing and Reintegration Service, including After Care Services.