- Information for...
The schemeCSA's plain English law & policy guide
Access 2,300 support services for separated families
Questions, Myths and Facts
Some commonly asked questions about child support.
Does the Child Support Agency get a cut of the money paid by the other parent?
I feel depressed and worried all the time. Where can I get some help?
How much money do parents pay to support their children?
The child support scheme is based on parents using some of their income to support their children-just like they would if the family was together. Payments are worked out using a formula that takes into account the income of both parents, the number of children and how much time the children spend with each parent.
The formula was developed on a basic premise: children should benefit from their parents' ability to financially support them even if their parents are not still together. In other words, if the family income was high prior to separation, then the children shouldn't necessarily be disadvantaged financially after the family separates.
Top of pageDoes the Child Support Agency get a cut of the money paid by the other parent?
No. CSA transfers the full amount of child support paid from one parent to the other.
Any penalties for late payment of child support are paid into Government revenue, not to CSA. They are not paid to the other parent.
The Australian Government funds the day-to-day operations of CSA.
I feel depressed and worried all the time. Where can I get some help?
Separation is one of the most stressful events we will ever experience in our lives. It can affect the way we think, feel and act.
Can you recognise some of the following situations?
- Ongoing conflict with your ex.
- Long and drawn out dealings with the legal system.
- More parental responsibility.
- Unemployment.
- Feeling lethargic, unhappy and unmotivated.
- Lack of money.
- Guilty feelings.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Drinking too much.
- Loss of home, friend and dreams.
All of these are common and normal experiences after separation. If you didn';t feel stress and anxiety as a result of these events occurring in your life, you wouldn't be human. The emotional impact of separation can be intense and can bring with it highs and lows-it is a very difficult time.
If you are experiencing feelings of anger, depression, despair, anxiety or shock, the good news is that there is help available and it is crucial that you take the time to look after your own feelings and emotions so you can be there for your children.
Research shows that in most circumstances children do better at school, feel better about themselves and generally grow up to be healthier and happier adults when both their mum and dad are in their lives.
Where can I find extra help?
Don't be anxious about asking for help if you need it. We all need someone to talk to at some stage in our lives and it's often good if they are outside our immediate circle of family and friends. Take one day at a time, one step at a time.
You can get extra help from:
Or check out What about Me?-Taking care of yourself (PDF 2.9M) for some practical ideas on looking after yourself after separation.
What if the other parent tries to hide their real income?
Most parents pay their child support regularly. However, some parents will attempt to avoid paying child support, including minimizing their income or hiding assets. In these cases CSA will investigate if sufficient evidence is available.
If you believe that the paying parent has a greater earning capacity than they are assessed to have, contact CSA to discuss your options. You may be eligible to apply for a change of assessment.
When parents don't pay CSA will:
- attempt to negotiate a repayment arrangement
- use administrative and legal tools to enforce collection.
What do I need to do to prove that the person I am claiming child support from is my child's other parent?
If you were married to that person, or living with them in a de-facto relationship for the period beginning 44 weeks and ending 20 weeks before your baby was born, you may not need to provide any other proof. If both parents names are on the birth certificate, CSA may ask you for a copy.
If there is no birth certificate yet, your case officer will send you a Statutory Declaration (Payer Statutory Declaration Form) for the other parent to sign-acknowledging parentage. You can also get a copy of this from any Centrelink Office.
In circumstances where none of the above forms of proof of parentage are available, you may need to seek legal advice to get a court order and possibly DNA testing.
My child has just turned 18 but is still attending a secondary school full-time. Can I still get child support payments from the other parent?
In most cases the answer is yes. You can make an application to CSA to have your assessment extended until your child has finished studying for that calendar year. You need to apply for this before you child's 18 birthday. See Children's circumstances or contact CSA for more information.
Facts - Did you know?
- 1.1 million children benefit from child support payments.
- Ninety-five per cent of all child support-over $18 billion-has been paid since CSA was established in 1988.
- About 1.3 million parents are registered with the Child Support Agency. More than half of these parents choose to pay their child support privately.
- Nearly all child support arrangements are handled over the phone-quickly and confidentially. Please call 131 272, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.45pm.
