CSA transfers payments between parents

We advise you how much child support needs to be paid based on your child support assessment, or you ask us to transfer child support. We then collect the payment from the paying parent, and transfer it to the receiving parent. This is called CSA collect.

We do not keep any of the money; the whole payment is transferred.

When are payments due?

The paying parent chooses whether to make weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments. Payments are due seven days after the chosen payment period.

Payments are in arrears, not in advance, which means that payments are for the past week, fortnight or month (not the upcoming week, fortnight or month).

Paying parents receive a monthly account statement from us each month. If you register for CSAonline, you’ll receive your statements electronically.

When are payments made?

We transfer the payment to the receiving parent’s nominated bank account between the third Wednesday of that month and the first Wednesday of the following month. The exact date depends on when we receive the payment.

Receiving parents will receive a payment when:

the paying parent has made the payment and we’ve received it
there is at least $5.00 available to transfer
the receiving parent’s account details are correct: the branch number (BSB) and account number are correct, and
the receiving parent’s name matches the account name.

Receiving parents can receive payments by nominating an Australian bank account. The other option is receiving child support from us by cheque.

The Child Support Info Service is an automated telephone service that gives receiving parents information about their child support account 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How can payments be made?

The paying parent chooses how to make payments. Please note we don’t accept cash payments.

If you make or receive a direct or third party payment, call us immediately - in some circumstances we can credit payments. Learn more about direct payments.

Payment option	Details	What you need to do
BPay	A convenient bill payment service that lets the paying parent make a payment from their nominated bank to us through telephone or internet banking. BPay payments can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week.	You will need: Biller Code: 201509 Reference Number: your 16-digit customer reference number (no spaces) You can find these details on your monthly account statement.
Direct Credit	The paying parent transfers funds from their nominated bank account to our bank account.	You must enter your 16-digit customer reference number (no spaces) in the ‘payment reference’ field. This ensures your payment is allocated correctly and without delay. You will also need: Account Name: CSA Official Receipts Account Number: 116755 BSB Number: 092009
BillPay	The paying parent makes a payment at any branch of Australia Post using the BillPay facility.	You will need a payment advice slip, located on your monthly account statement, to make these payments. Australia Post will give you a receipt–keep it for your records.
Mail	The paying parent sends a cheque or money order to us.	You will need to make each cheque or money order payable to ‘Child Support Agency’. Attach the payment advice slip, located on your monthly account statement, to make these payments. This ensures your payment is allocated correctly and without delay. Send mail payments to: Child Support Agency Locked Bag 11 A’Beckett Street Melbourne VIC 8006

Credit or debit card

All parents can pay child support using the Government EasyPay system using a Visa or MasterCard, credit or debit card.

Payments can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week online or over the phone.

Use of this service will incur a card payment fee. Details about the fee are available on the Government EasyPay website.

Before using this service you should consider what is the most appropriate and cost effective payment option available for you to meet your child support obligations.

You should also seek financial support if you are unsure what is the best option for your current situation. Financial support information and advice is available at My family is separating – what now?

To make a payment you will need:

a current Visa or MasterCard, credit or debit card
your CSA Customer Payment Reference Number which can be found on your Payer Account Statement
log on to Government EasyPay at www.optussmartpay.com/governmenteasypay-csa/ to make a payment online
call 1300 676 420 to make a phone payment
review the Terms and Conditions.

Employer deductions

The paying parent asks us to tell their employer to automatically deduct child support payments from their salary, wage or contract payment. This option is free.

Note: It can take us some time to establish employer deductions because we need to give your employer written notification and give them time to adjust their payroll systems. You may need to use another payment option until deductions are set up.

Call us on 131 272 to talk about arranging salary deductions and to find out when they will take effect.

Benefits deduction

We can deduct child support payments from your Centrelink payment and certain Department of Veterans’ Affairs benefits.

Call us on 131 272 to find out more.

Your customer reference number

To make sure payments are allocated correctly and without delay, always include your 16-digit customer reference number with your payments (you can find it on your monthly account statement).

Help and information

If you do not have your customer reference number or need more information about your payment options call the Payments Hotline on 1800 241 272.