How can we help?

Being a separated parent can be like a roller-coaster ride, presenting a range of emotional, financial and family issues.

We can provide information about some of the services available to help you, no matter what your circumstances are. We can also put you in touch with qualified services who can help with parenting, financial, relationship, emotional or other issues.

What is your situation?

• Were you referred to us by Centrelink?
• Are you a partner of a separated parent?
• Are you a non-parent carer?
• Are you in prison?
• Are you affected by violence or conflict?
• Do you receive a Department of Veterans' Affairs or Centrelink payment?

Were you referred to us by Centrelink?

After separation, many parents contact Centrelink for information about family assistance and income support payments. In some instances, Centrelink will tell parents they must apply for a child support assessment even if they don't want to.

If you want to receive more than the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A

You need to apply for a child support assessment.

If you receive only the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A

You don't have to apply for a child support assessment if you and the other parent don't want to. Go to arranging child support independently for more information.

Are you a partner of a separated parent?

You might want to know more about child support because your partner pays or receives child support. The information on our website is useful so you both can understand how we work out child support and take into account each parent's personal circumstances.

We offer products that may be helpful — the Me and My Changing Family booklet and the Dealing with Separation CD-ROM address issues around repartnering and new families. You can order or download these free products online or call our Publications Hotline on 1800 040 972.

Are you a non-parent carer?

Sometimes children are cared for by someone other than their parent - for example a legal guardian, grandparent or another family member.

If you provide care for a child and you are not the parent, you can receive child support from both parents of the children if you apply for a child support assessment.

Learn more about child support for non-parent carers.

Are you in prison?

If you are a parent in prison we have an information kit specifically for you. The kit contains fact sheets that outline your child support responsibilities when you enter or leave prison, and all the forms you need.

The kit also contains information for people who are an advocate or representative of a separated parent in prison.

You can order a kit online or call our Publications Hotline on 1800 040 972.

Are you affected by violence or conflict?

You have the right to feel safe all the time. Feeling safe means living free from abuse, bullying and violence. That includes watching someone else, like your child, a friend or family member suffer from violence or abuse.

If you don't feel safe or there is conflict:

• call the Police on 000 in an emergency
• talk to someone you trust
• call Centrelink on 136 150 - they have social workers who can assess the situation, provide support and tell you about payments that might be available
• call the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321
• call us on 131 272 to discuss your child support options and find out about other services that may help.

Do you receive a Department of Veterans' Affairs or Centrelink payment?

Some Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) and Centrelink payments are included when we work out how much child support should be paid using the child support formula.

Learn more about the types of payments we include.

For help and information about:

• your DVA payment, go to the Department of Veterans' Affairs website or call 133 254
• your Centrelink payment, go to the Centrelink website or call 136 150.

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