Paying child support when the other parent lives in New Zealand

This factsheet is for you if -

International arrangements

Australia and New Zealand have an agreement that governs how child support is administered between the two countries. If you live in Australia and the other parent and children live in New Zealand, this agreement means that New Zealand Inland Revenue Child Support (NZIRCS) and the Child Support Agency (CSA) work together to transfer payments.

How payments are worked out

Child support in New Zealand is managed by the NZIRCS. Your child support assessment is established in New Zealand through NZIRCS processes or a New Zealand court order for child support.

If you have a New Zealand assessment, visit the NZIRCS website www.ird.govt.nz for more information about how it's calculated.

In addition to the child support amount, we're also required to collect some New Zealand penalties which cannot be remitted or negotiated. These amounts are detailed on your statement.

What you can do if you don't agree

The CSA is unable to change anything about your New Zealand assessment. You should contact NZIRCS if you think the assessment isn't correct. If there's a court order for child support or spousal support and there's been a change of circumstances, you may be able to apply for the court order to be changed in New Zealand. You should seek legal advice about this.

Things that may affect your assessment in New Zealand include your:

Nominating a representative
You can nominate another person or organisation to work with the CSA on your behalf. Your representative will be able to make enquiries and provide information on your behalf, but they won't be able to sign documents and negotiate for you. To nominate a representative, fill out the 'Representative Authority' form available at www.csa.gov.au and send or fax it to us.

How you can make payments

Payments should be made to the CSA in Australia so we can send your payment to NZIRCS. If you've been, or are making payments directly to the other parent, contact us immediately as these payments may not be recognised by the CSA or NZIRCS.

There are a number of ways to pay child support. Having your payment collected by the CSA in Australia means you don't need to worry about the costs of converting your payments to New Zealand dollars.

If you're employed or receive payments from Centrelink or the Department of Veteran's Affairs, the CSA will arrange for your child support to be deducted and sent to us directly. There's no cost involved. It makes paying child support easy and convenient and may help to manage any debt you may have.

If you don't want us to deduct payments in this way, you must contact us so we can arrange an alternative method such as:

Call the Payments Hotline on 1800 241 272 for more information about these payment options.

Enrol now for CSAonline
CSAonline is a quick, easy and secure way to do your child support business where and when it suits you. Enrol now to view and update your personal details and send the CSA secure messages (including attachments). Visit www.csaonline.gov.au to learn more.

Are you getting behind with payments?

If you're getting behind or think you might have trouble making the next payment, get in touch with us immediately on 131 272*.

We can help you by:

We're unable to act as an advocate for you with NZIRCS or provide legal advice.

What we can do if you don't pay

If you don't pay your child support, the CSA will work with you to achieve the best outcome for both parents and your children. We'll contact you to discuss your circumstances and work out a suitable payment plan.

If we can't come to an arrangement with you, we may actively try to recover the overdue child support for the benefit of your children. Enforcement options include compulsory salary deductions, preventing you from leaving the country or taking legal action.

When you have overdue child support payments, the CSA will intercept any Australian tax refund due to you to help reduce the amount owing.

Late payment penalties

Late payment penalties are applied to outstanding child support amounts. These penalties are paid to the Australian Government - not to the CSA or the other parent. Penalties may be waived if the overdue child support is paid in full.

If any penalties are imposed on your NZIRCS assessment before the case is transferred to the CSA, you need to contact NZIRCS on 1800 504 042 to discuss this further.

You can find more detail about our enforcement approach on www.csa.gov.au

Has something changed?
Keep you details up-to-date by telling the CSA as soon as possible if your circumstances change. Remember to notify New Zealand of any important changes to your circumstances as some changes can only be taken from the date you tell NZIRCS about them.

If the receiving parent moves to Australia

There are rules in our agreement with New Zealand that mean you pay child support through either New Zealand or Australia not both countries. If the receiving parent moves to Australia, let us know immediately so we can discuss with NZIRCS how to proceed with your case.

Support tools

The CSA has a range of factsheets, publications and other products to help you understand the Child Support Scheme and to assist you and your children after family separation. They're available free of charge from www.csa.gov.au or call 1800 040 972*.

Support Services

There's a range of support services available to help families affected by relationship or separation issues, like the Family Relationship Advice Line.

The Advice Line provides information and advice on family relationship issues and can refer you to other helpful services in your area. Call 1800 050 321 from 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, and 10am-4pm Saturday (local time, public holidays excluded) or visit www.familyrelationships.gov.au

The Australian Government Services Fraud tip-off line

The Australian Government Services Fraud tip-off line provides people with a place to report suspected fraud against Centrelink, Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or the Child Support Agency. If you have information about someone who is mis-using government services, call 131 524.

Your privacy

CSA collects information about you and your family for child support purposes. We understand that some information is sensitive, and we place great importance on protecting your privacy. For more information, see the Privacy factsheet available at www.csa.gov.au

Contact us

You may also find the Australian Tax Office website www.ato.gov.au useful for more details about taxable income.

NZIRCS - information about your assessment

*Call charges may apply.
† Please note: your call may be recorded.

Do you need interpreting help?

If you don't speak English and need help from CSA, ring the Telephone Interpreting Service on 131 450.

Please email comms@csa.gov.au with any feedback or comments you have about this factsheet.