What is a formula assessment?
This is when we make an administrative assessment for your child support based on a legislative formula. Most of our customers have a child support formula assessment.
If you would like us to make an assessment, you can arrange this over the phone, or complete an Application for child support assessment (PDF 190k) and send it to us.
If you are a receiving parent and you receive more than the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A, you must apply for a child support assessment or your benefit may be reduced.
Child support formula
Every family is unique, and the child support formula is flexible and takes into account many different family circumstances. It ensures a balanced and flexible way of working out child support payments.
Learn more about the child support formula.
A child support period is the length of time a child support assessment applies. A child support period can last up to 15 months or can be shorter depending on the circumstances of your case.
For information about the relevant legislation and policy, go to The Guide.
Parentage
Before we accept a child support application we must be satisfied that both parents are the natural or adoptive parent of the child or children involved.
We will be satisfied where:
- the parents were married when the child was born
- the parent is named on the child’s birth certificate as the parent
- where the parent is a man, they were living with the mother between 20 and 44 weeks prior to the birth of the child
- the person has adopted the child
- a statutory declaration has been made by a person acknowledging they are the parent of the child.
If you don’t believe you are the parent of a child, you have options.
For information about the relevant legislation and policy, go to The Guide.
We work out your child support assessment for you
You don’t have to work out your child support assessment yourself — we work it out for you.
You may be able to use our online calculator or worksheets to help you estimate child support payments. Access these tools here.