2.3.3: When do child support periods end?

Context

When CSA makes a new assessment, the old assessment and child support period will end. If a child support period ends CSA must make a new assessment to start immediately after the child support period that has ended.

Legislative references

Section 7A Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989.

Explanation

Child support periods do not overlap. An existing period always ends the day before a new one starts.

A child support period will end at whichever of the following times occurs soonest after the start of the period (section 7A(3)):

• End of the month in which CSA makes a new assessment because a tax assessment issues
• The day before the start of an agreement that affects the rate of child support payable
• Fifteen months after the start of the child support period

End of the month in which CSA makes a new assessment because a tax assessment issues

When CSA makes a new assessment because a tax assessment issued for one of the parents, the current child support period ends on the last day of the month in which CSA makes the assessment (section 7A(3)(b)). The new assessment applies to a child support period that starts on the first day of the following month.

The day before the start of an agreement that affects the rate of child support payable

A child support period in an existing case will end on the day before the rate of child support changes or commences to be payable because CSA has accepted an agreement (sections 7A(3)(c) and (d)).

Fifteen months after the start of the child support period

In all other cases, the child support period will end 15 months after the start of the period. A child support period cannot be longer than 15 months (section 7A(3)(a)).

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Version 1.0

Issued 1 October 2002

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