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 to get more than the base rate of Family Tax Benefit A.
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 or apply for a child support exemption by contacting Centrelink on 136 150.
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 re–partnering 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, call our Publications
Hotline on 1800 040 972 or ask your advocate or representative
to obtain a copy on your behalf.
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
- refer to the front of your Yellow Pages telephone directory for services available in your area.
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: