The Australian Seniors Series: Grandparents Report 2025

How grandparents over 50 are supporting families more than ever

Being a grandparent in 2026 looks very different to generations past. Today, grandparents over 50 are not only offering love and guidance, but stepping in as caregivers, financial supporters, and emotional anchors for their families.

The Australian Seniors Grandparents Report 2025 explores how this role is evolving, and the personal cost that can come with it. Surveying over 4,200 Australian grandparents over 50, the research reveals a generation stepping up like never before – often balancing care, finances, and wellbeing in a changing cost-of-living landscape.

Key findings

• Around 7 in 10 (71%) grandparents over 50 actively support their families
• Just over half of grandparents over 50 (51%) provide financial support to their grandchildren or adult children
• Of those providing financial support, over half (55%) have dipped into their savings or retirement funds
• Nearly 3 in 5 (57%) say their parenting style differs from their adult children
• Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) feel unsupported by government care policies

Download the full Grandparents Report here

How involved are modern grandparents over 50?

Forget the old image of grandparents who only visit on birthdays or special occasions. Today, many grandparents over 50 are deeply involved in the everyday lives of their children and grandchildren.

The report shows that 71% of grandparents over 50 are actively supporting their families, with nearly one in three (32%) providing both regular care and financial help. Over half (52%) provide regular childcare, stepping in where they’re needed most.

Common forms of care include overnight stays (63%), emergency care (56%), attending school events (55%), and providing last-minute sick-day support (54%).

For many, this commitment goes well beyond occasional help. While 39% spend under 10 hours a week caring for grandchildren, 14% provide care five or more days a week. This level of involvement is particularly common among younger grandparents within the over-50 cohort, with many balancing paid work alongside caregiving. Despite the demands, almost half (46%) say they wish they could do even more to support their families.

Financial support – and the hidden cost for grandparents over 50

Alongside their time, many grandparents over 50 are also providing critical financial support at a time when household budgets are under pressure. Just over half (51%) provide financial help to their grandchildren or adult children.

This support is largely driven by love and family connection, with grandparents motivated by affection (79%) and a desire to ease the financial burden on their families (54%). In many cases, help is offered proactively – 72% of those providing financial support say they step in without being asked.

Support ranges from gifts and toys to essential items like clothing (56%). On average, a grandparent over 50 who provides financial support spends $3,066 per year helping their family.

However, this generosity often comes at a personal cost. Of those providing financial support, over half (55%) have dipped into their personal savings or retirement funds. More than half (53%) have made trade-offs as a result, including cutting back on personal travel or leisure activities (55%) and reducing spending on hobbies and interests (49%). It’s little surprise that 34% feel torn between supporting their family and protecting their own retirement savings.

Do parenting styles differ between generations?

As grandparents over 50 become more hands-on, differences in parenting approaches can emerge. Nearly 3 in 5 (57%) say their grandparenting style differs from their adult children’s parenting style.

The biggest differences tend to arise around discipline and setting boundaries (56%), expectations for behaviour and manners (47%), and managing screen time (46%). Many grandparents believe today’s parents are more lenient overall, with 50% feeling their adult children rely more on negotiation and reasoning.

While 44% note that their children use less corporal punishment than previous generations, these differences can still create tension. A lack of communication (40%) and disagreements over discipline (38%) are among the most common sources of family friction.

The emotional cost of long-distance grandparenting

For the 56% of grandparents over 50 who have grandchildren living in another city, state, or country, maintaining a strong connection is a top priority. Close to 4 in 5 (78%) say staying connected with long-distance grandchildren is very important.

Grandparents rely on a mix of traditional and digital tools to stay in touch, including phone calls (63%), personal visits (56%), video calls (46%), and text messages (44%). Even so, the emotional toll of distance can be significant.

Nearly 2 in 5 (37%) see their grandchildren once a year or less. More than half (57%) wish they lived closer, and almost half (47%) feel they miss important moments in their grandchildren’s lives.

Should grandparents over 50 be recognised for their contribution?

Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) grandparents over 50 believe their role has changed compared to previous generations. Many feel they are more digitally connected, more involved in childcare, and under greater pressure to provide financial support due to rising cost-of-living pressures.

Despite this, recognition often falls short. While 75% feel society at least somewhat values their caregiving, recognition for financial support is far lower – nearly 2 in 3 (64%) say they are rarely or never acknowledged for the financial help they provide.

This sense of being overlooked extends to policy. Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) grandparents over 50 feel unsupported by government care policies. When asked what would help most, grandparents point to direct subsidies, tax relief for caregiving expenses, discounted or free healthcare (40%), and superannuation top-ups as meaningful ways to recognise unpaid care.

Tips from Dr Lyn Worsley, Clinical Psychologist and Resilience Expert

Establish the “pecking order” - Parents are the parents. It can help to quietly have respectful conversations about expectations when the children aren’t around. When it comes to rules, bedtimes, food, and screen time, it’s best to check in with the parents first to understand their approach.

Ask questions instead of offering unsolicited advice. Try asking: “What would you like me to do in this situation?” And if something happens, let them know how you responded and check if that was okay. It’s less about knowing what’s right and more about staying aligned.

Ensure that giving comes with “no strings attached”. Generosity can sometimes become complicated. It’s important to check in with yourself and ensure that financial support is not unintentionally used to control or secure closeness. In some cases, having clear boundaries or even formal agreements can help maintain trust and allow parents to retain autonomy.

Know that it’s okay to say no. Boundaries are essential for everyone. It’s okay to say no to babysitting or childcare when you’re not available. Discuss how best to communicate this, so expectations are clear from the start.

Recognise the signs that your boundaries need attention. If you begin to feel resentful or stretched thin, that’s often a sign your boundaries need attention. Revisit them with honesty and kindness. Sit down together and talk about your preferred future and how you’d like things to look.

Nurture your own resources to stay resilient. To stay resilient, grandparents need to keep nurturing their own resources, maintaining friendships, staying active in the community, continuing to learn, and engaging in meaningful work or hobbies. Supporting your family works best when you’re also caring for yourself.

Be the living link between the past and the future. The value and wisdom that comes with telling stories of the past to link with the future ensures children have a sense of belonging and family identity. This is foundational for our children’s resilience.

Supporting families, while caring for yourself

The Grandparents Report confirms that being a grandparent over 50 today is a role defined by deep love, generosity, and commitment – but also by real financial, emotional, and physical demands.

Grandparents over 50 are the quiet pillars of Australian families, providing stability across generations. Supporting families works best, however, when grandparents are also supported in return.

Stay tuned for the next chapter of the Australian Seniors Series.

Methodology

Findings in this article are drawn from the Australian Seniors Grandparents Report 2025, which surveyed Australian grandparents over 50. The research was conducted via an online survey using demographic stratification to ensure results were representative by age, gender, wealth, and location.