If your children spend most of their time with you, you are likely to be entitled to receive child support from the other parent. The amount of child support payable varies according to your specific circumstances and is assessed and monitored by the Services Australia–child support.
What Child Support am I entitled to receive and how do I apply?
There is an online child support calculator provided by the Services Australia–child support which can help you estimate both your child support and family assistance payments.
You might also benefit from reading the Parent’s Guide to Child Support.
In order to receive child support you can enter into an agreement with the other parent or apply for a Child Support Assessment to issue. Applications for Child Support can be obtained from Centrelink or downloaded from the website of the Department of Human Services.
Can I overturn a decision made by the Child Support Agency if it’s not fair?
Yes, you may be able to. You have the right to object to the decision within 28 days and then an internal review of the decision will take place within 60 days of the objection being filed.
If your Objection is unsuccessful, you should contact a specialist Family Lawyer to discuss other options for appeal available for you.
What if my ex-partner doesn’t pay?
The Child Support Agency has the power to investigate and enforce payment which includes the power to collect the payment from employers, at the tax office and also to deduct funds from a person’s bank account in certain circumstances.
Child Support Agreements
There are two types of Child Support Agreements, a Limited Child Suppport Agreement and a Binding Child Support Agreement. These agreements can provide for contributions to school fees, health and children’s extra curricular expenses for example. The main purpose of these agreements is to formalise an arrangement for child support which is different to the assessment of child support that would issue from the Services Australia–child support.
Child support is often vital to the financial surivial of the parent entitled to receive child support. It can be a complex area. Contact us to discuss your child support issue.
