2.3.1: What is a child support period?

Context

A child support period is a period of time to which a child support assessment applies. The date of the start of the child support period determines which financial year of income CSA uses to make the assessment.

Legislative references

Sections 7A, 31, 34A, 34B, 34C and 93 Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989.

Explanation

Each child support assessment applies to a separate child support period. This does not mean that the rate of child support will stay the same for the whole period as the assessment may be amended to replace default incomes or to take account of various changes such as relevant dependants, changes in levels of care, or estimates. These amendments may apply to the whole child support period, or just part of the child support period, depending upon the nature of the change, when it occurred, and when CSA was advised of the change.

How long is a child support period?

A child support period is a flexible period of time, which cannot exceed 15 months. The length of the child support period for any assessment will vary according to the individual circumstances of child support case. These circumstances will determine when the child support period starts and ends (section 7A). The Act also requires CSA to make new child support assessments in various circumstances (sections 31, 34A, 34B, 34C and 93).

Last relevant year of income

CSA makes child support assessments using the last relevant year of income for the child support period to which the assessment will apply (sections 38 and 45). The last relevant year of income for a child support period is the last year of income that ended before the start of the period (section 5).

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Version 1.0

Issued 1 October 2002

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