Nil assessments
A minimum amount is normally payable for each child support family. Paying parents who
receive income support, have less than regular
care of their child
and whose income is less than the self-support
amount will pay the minimum payment of $6.82*
per week per family. Click here for more information about
minimum assessments.
However, if your income is less than the minimum assessment amount (less than $6.82
per week per child support assessment) you may be eligible to have your child support
assessment reduced to nil.
If you have at least regular care
of your child (14 per cent of the time, which is at least 52 nights a year),
you don’t need to pay the minimum to that family because you already meet some of the
child’s costs directly through care.
Call us on 131 272 to apply to have your assessment reduced to nil or
alternatively complete the ‘Application to reduce minimum assessment to nil’ form.
Your application can be for any part of a child support period (including a period in the past),
as long as the period is at least two months.
When considering your application for a nil assessment, we consider income from a range of sources, including:
- income support payments
- compensation payments
- lotto wins
- dividends (net amounts)
- gifts and allowances from family or friends.
Some incomes that may be disregarded include:
- certain prisoner allowances
- some disability support pensions when particular conditions are met.
Call us on 131 272 if you start receiving income support, return to work
or would like to know more about nil assessments.
For information about the relevant legislation and policy, go to
The Guide.