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Changes in employment
When you get a new job, re-enter the workforce, or become unemployed, your lifestyle and finances can change. You need to tell CSA immediately when a change in your employment occurs.
If you have a child support assessment, you must tell us:
- if your income has increased
- if the care arrangements for you children have changed.
We may need to adjust the amount of child support you receive.
What if I lose my job?
If you have a child support assessment and lose your job, contact CSA straight away. Your assessment may have to change to reflect your current situation.
You need to think about how you will manage your money. How will it affect your ability to pay the bills? What about loan payments? Groceries? It can be a difficult time for you, but it's important to think about how you will handle these costs before they become unmanageable. See Me and My Money (PDF 691k) for advice on how to stretch your dollar further after separation.
Top of pageWhat if I change my job or get a job?
Changing jobs can mean a change to your income. Make sure that your child support assessment takes into account any changes. For example, if you receive child support, and move from part-time to full-time work, your payments may be reduced because your income has changed. You may also have to change the care arrangements of your children.
Example
Catherine has sole care of the children Peter, Alan, and Kevin. She gets a
part-time job and cannot look after the children for 3 days a week. Catherine
and the kid's dad, Ben, decide that Ben will have care of the children for
those 3 days a week. Because they have a child support assessment, Catherine
tells CSA about the change. CSA amends the assessment to show that Ben and
Catherine share care of the children.
What if my employment changes and we have arranged child support without the help of CSA or the court?
The first thing to do is talk to the other parent. Both of you may agree to change the payments to reflect your new situation. The CSA calculator can help you work out your child support payments.
Other resources
Separation can be a very difficult time emotionally and financially. If you are finding it challenging to manage your money, CSA offers a budgeting tool which can help you to organise you finances. You can find out about financial counselling organisations in your area on the Community Services Directory. CSA's book Me and My Money (PDF 691k) also offers some practical tips and hints on how to manage your money after separation.
