Changes in children's circumstances

My child is turning 18

The child support assessment for your child ends when they turn 18 or leave home. If your child turns 18 while attending secondary school, you can ask CSA to extend the assessment until their last day of the school year in which they turn 18. To do this, you must apply when your child is 17 and prove that they will be in full-time secondary education on their 18th birthday.

Court orders

If you have a court order that ends on the child's 18th birthday and that child will be dependent on you while completing their final year of secondary education, you will need to apply to the court if you want the order extended. Please read the court order to decide whether you need to do this. Alternatively you may determine a private arrangement with the other parent for the support of the child until such time as the child is able to support themselves.

My child is independent

Leaving home

If your child leaves home, your payments for that child will end. Please contact CSA as soon as possible if this happens.

Getting a job

If your child is under 18 and still lives at home but receives income from another source, child support can still be paid for your child. If the income is from a government benefit such as Austudy, Youth Allowance, or from a part-time job, child support payments will continue unless you elect for child support to end. However, the other parent can ask CSA to change their assessment if your child's income is substantial e.g. a full-time job.

Please contact CSA for more information.

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My child's educational circumstances will change

A change in educational institutions will not normally affect child support payments. However, if your child is over 18 and the assessment has been extended, you need to tell CSA immediately of any change to education-it may affect payments.

My child has a baby

Your child having a baby does not affect your child support payments, if they remain dependent on you for their ongoing daily care.

If it is necessary for your child to have a child support case of their own-if they are separated from their baby's other parent-they are responsible for arranging child support payments for their new baby. There is no age limit for a parent who can apply for or pay child support.

If you become the main carer of your child's new baby, talk to CSA-you may be able to receive child support payments for that child. Non-parent applications can be accepted.

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My child has special needs

If your child has special needs, these can be considered by the Family Court when making an order for child maintenance. Please contact the Family Court of Australia for further information.

If you have an assessment with CSA you can apply to have your assessment changed (Reason 2: It costs you extra to cover the child/children's special needs). Please talk to CSA if you are in this situation.

Having a child with special needs can be hard, both financially and emotionally. If you need assistance, CSA is able to direct you to support services in your area. Please refer to the Community Services Directory for more information.

The paying parent in my case has a baby from a new relationship (relevant dependant)

If you are receiving child support from your ex-partner, and they are caring for a child or children of their own with their new partner, then they can have this taken into account in their CSA assessment. The CSA formula recognises that they have extra costs in caring for dependent children - the amount of their income that is exempt from having the child support percentage applied is increased.

If you receive child support and have dependent children from a different relationship, they do not affect the amount of child support you receive from an individual paying parent. Each case is considered separately.

For example
Imogen receives child support from Michael for their two children, Nathan and Steven. Michael and his new partner, Diana, have a baby. He tells CSA, and CSA reduces the amount Imogen receives from him. This is because the amount of his income which is exempt from the child support formula increases, thereby reducing the amount he pays in child support.

Stepchildren

If the paying parent is recognised legally as the carer of a stepchild, then he or she may also be taken into consideration. If this situation applies to your case, please contact CSA to discuss your options.

My child has passed away

The loss of a child is one of the most traumatic events a person can experience. It is important that if you are in this situation, you look after yourself as best you can by seeking counselling or support from relatives and friends. CSA offers an online Community Services Directory which provides you with details of support services in your area.

If you have a child support assessment, it is important that you, or a nominated representative, contact CSA to discuss the affect on payments. It may be easier for you to have a friend, partner, relative or legal representative act on your behalf.

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