Are you experiencing financial hardship after separation?
Where to begin?
Separation is a difficult time for families, emotionally and financially. You may be finding it hard to make ends meet or want your money to work better for you. The Child Support Agency (CSA) can connect you to people who offer financial support and options, which may help you to meet your child support responsibilities. This fact sheet lists the services and tools that are available.
CSA publications that can help
CSA has a handy guide called Me and my Money with hints and tips on how to get started and stay on track with your budget. It also has a list of useful contacts for referral services and government agencies. The Parent’s Guide to Child Support is full of information about the child support choices available to you. It can also link you to services and advice to assist with other aspects of separation, no matter what your circumstances are. Download copies from the CSA website or call the productions hotline on 1800 040 972.
People who can help
Financial counsellors
Financial counsellors provide information, support and assistance with managing financial issues. Their services are free, independent and confidential.
- Visit: www.afccra.org
- Call: 1800 007 007
Child Support Agency
The CSA can provide options such as transferring your child support earlier in the month if we’ve already received the payment, applying for hardship relief when you lodge your tax return and are expecting a refund, or renegotiating payments if you have fallen behind.
- Visit: www.csa.gov.au
- Call: 131 272
If you’re having trouble making payments or if your circumstances change, let CSA know as soon as possible by calling 131 272.
Centrelink
Centrelink has payments available if you receive a pension, allowance or benefit and are experiencing financial hardship. Centrelink also runs the Financial Information Service, which can help you better understand your finances, how to use information you get from experts and plan for the future.
- Visit: www.centrelink.gov.au
- Call: 136 150
Australian Taxation Office
The ATO has a hardship hotline you can call to find out about tax benefits, deferred payment schemes and what you can and can’t claim. You can also talk to a ‘Tax Help’ volunteer for advice on your tax return or Baby Bonus claim.
- Visit: www.ato.gov.au
- Call: 132 861
Legal Aid
Legal Aid has a service called ‘Are you being squeezed by debt?’ It has information on what to do if you have debts you can’t afford.
- Visit: www.nla.aust.net.au
Websites that can help
My family is separating – what now?
This online tool helps newly separated families find information about the emotional, financial and legal issues they may face.
- Visit: www.familyseparation.humanservices.gov.au
Did you know...
The No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS®) provides interest free loans to eligible concession card holders for the purchase of essential goods and services from $800 to $1 200.
The StepUP low interest loan has been developed by Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service and NAB to help low income families purchase goods and services such as cars, furniture, computers and medical expenses, up to $3 000. Visit www.goodshepvic.org.au/microfinance
Managing your money
Money is often a factor in relationship breakdown. This puts a lot of pressure on everyone involved. The Family Relationships Advice Line 1800 050 321 is available for anyone affected by family relationship or separation issues and difficulties.
There are lots of websites full of useful financial information on budgeting, saving, investing, controlling debt and superannuation. They can help you to get more from your money, make smarter decisions and avoid expensive mistakes.
- Visit: www.moneysmart.gov.au
- Visit: www.moneyminded.com.au
Handy phone numbers
- Financial Counsellors 1800 007 007
- Child Support Agency 131 272
- Centrelink 136 150
- Financial Information Service 132 300
- Australian Taxation Office 132 861
- Centacare 1300 138 070
- Family Services Australia 1300 365 859
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
- Lifeline 131 114
- Mensline Australia 1300 789 978
- Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
- Telephone Interpreting Service 131 450
Did you know...
You may be eligible to join the Saver Plus program. Saver Plus pays people one dollar for every dollar they save (up to $500) to help pay for education costs. Call 1300 610 355 for more details.
For further information and help
- Call CSA on 131 272†
- Call the Telephone Interpreting Service on 131 450
- Visit the CSA website www.csa.gov.au
- Ask your representative to assist.
Support Services
Family Relationship Advice Line
- Phone: 1800 050 321
- www.familyrelationships.gov.au
- 8am–8pm weekdays, 10am–4pm Sat. (public holidays excluded)
Assists people from families affected by relationship or separation issues.
Other CSA resources:
- Getting Started—information about child support for separated parents.
- Me and My series of self-help booklets (available in a range of languages and as audio downloads).
- Dealing with Separation interactive CD Rom.
- Family Separation: a guide for teens—helping young people cope with family separation and change.
- CSAonline—this is a secure online service where you can view and update your child support information when it suits you. Go to www.csa.gov.au to enrol.
- To order any free CSA publication or more fact sheets visit www.csa.gov.au or freecall 1800 040 972 (charges apply to mobile and public phones).
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 fact sheet.
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.
Do you need interpreting help?
If you don’t speak English and need help from CSA, ring the Telephone Interpreting Service on 131 450.
*Call charges may apply to the telephone numbers listed.
† Please note: your call may be recorded.