Making care arrangements for your children
It’s up to parents to manage care arrangements that are in the best interests
of the children. The child support formula recognises the care each parent has of
their children, and small changes usually don’t affect payments.
Your child’s care arrangements
To make sure we have the same information about care from both parents and can calculate
your payments correctly, we recommend you have one of the following in place:
When there are changes to care
When there are changes to care, where possible try to make a new parenting plan
or agreement. In some cases, small changes in care may not change child support
payments.
This gives parents more flexibility about small changes in care without worrying
about the effect on child support. If the children’s care arrangements change
call us on 131 272. If you do not tell us about your new care arrangements
within 28 days of the change, your assessment may only be able to be changed from
the day you tell us.
If care arrangements don’t work out or parents don’t agree
If one parent doesn’t meet their care obligations and doesn’t seek a
new agreement, parenting plan, or order despite the other parent’s efforts,
we can change the assessment to reflect the actual care.
If parents cannot agree on care levels, and have not made a parenting plan or obtained
a court order, then care levels used in your assessment are determined by us and
Centrelink after talking to both parents (where possible).
The Family Relationships Advice Line provides information, advice and referrals
to services to assist people affected by family relationship or separation issues,
including developing and reaching agreements on parenting arrangements. For more
information call 1800 050 321 or go to the
Family Relationships website.
Our Community Services Directory lists over
2,500 community support services for separated families. Or go to
Spending time with your children for information about dispute resolution
and other services that may assist.