FAQ: When does child support end?
Child support will end in a range of circumstances.
Typically child support ceases when a child turns 18 years of age. Child support may be extended where a parent has applied to the CSA for child support to continue until the end of the school year in which the child turns 18 and in some other situations.
A receiving parent may choose to end their child support assessment, and the assessment will end on the day specified. This may not be possible when the receiving parent receives more than the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A.
A child support assessment also ends where a child: dies, enters a genuine domestic relationship with someone either of the same or opposite sex or gets married, is adopted, or is no longer either present in Australia, ordinarily in Australia or an Australian citizen (and there is no international maintenance arrangement that applies).
A child support assessment may also end where: the paying parent moves to a country not included in an international child support agreement with Australia, neither parent is caring for the child, the parents get back together and are partners for at least 6 months, or either parent dies.
More information can be found in The Guide: CSA's online law and policy guide for the new Scheme, located under the Terminating Events section.
Updated: 23 Sep 2009
Categories: Parents
Sub-categories: Care