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.
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.
You need to apply for a child support assessment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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: