The new look Account Statement

The Child Support Agency sends you an account statement each month. The statement was recently changed to make it easier to read – a sample is shown below. Please keep this factsheet handy to help you understand your account statement.

Reference numbers

  1. Statement Period: This is the period from the day after the issue date of your last statement to the issue date of your current statement. Your current statement shows the transactionsduring this period.
  2. Balance At Last Statement: This is theclosing balance shown on your last statement.The heading will be displayed as ‘Opening Balance’ on your first statement.
  3. Credit Adjustments: These decrease the amount of child support you pay. Credit adjustments may occur for different reasons, like when we receive new income information for either parent or there's been a change in care of the children for previous periods. If the changes mean you've been charged more than what you should have, we'll credit this amount back to your account. See reference number 15.
  4. Payments: This amount includes all of the payments you've made during the statement period, including credits for payments made to a third party in place of child support. Examples of third party payments include school fees, sports coaching and dental treatment. View www.csa.gov.au or call 131 272* for more information.
  5. Balance: The amount of child support after payments and credit adjustments are taken out. If it has CR next to it, this means your account is in credit. If the amount has DR, this means debit or what you owe and will show as 'Overdue balance'.
  6. Child Support: This is the amount of child support due to be paid before your next statement is issued.
  7. Debit Adjustments: These increase the amount of child support you owe. This may occur for different reasons, like when we receive new income information for either parent or there's a change in care of the children for previous periods. If the changes mean you've been charged less than what you should have, we add this to what you owe.
  8. Other Charges: These amounts include any late payment penalties or court costs you may have in the statement period. See reference number 15.
  9. Current Balance: This is the balance of the costs for the current period.
  10. Closing Balance: This is the total of current and overdue child support after payments and credit adjustments have been deducted.
  11. Overdue: This is the total amount of outstanding child support and other charges from previous periods, if applicable. If you've made a payment arrangement this box will be labelled as 'Payment arrangement for overdue amount'.
  12. Total Current Costs: This is the total amount of child support and other charges for the current period.
  13. Total Amount Due: The amount you’reexpected to pay.
  14. Important Information: This information may help you manage your child support. It includes details about missing payments, income tax refunds, late payment penalties, and an explanation of debit and credit adjustments.
  15. Account Details: This a breakdown of the transactions and dates on your account, including payments received, account adjustments and the amount for the current period. Note: details shown here will depend on your situation. Examples of what you might see include child support payments to more than one parent, third party payments, debit or credit adjustments or late payment penalties. Your statement may be different to the sample shown as it's about your individual circumstances.

Making child support payments to the Child Support Agency (CSA)

If you make payments to the CSA, you can choose from a number of convenient ways to pay child support:

View www.csa.gov.au or call us for more information about these and other payment options.

When your circumstances change

Call us on 131 272* as soon as you can if your circumstances change. Examples include changesto income, care arrangements or contact details. More information is available at www.csa.gov.au

Important information about 'Balance at last statement'

The amount in the 'Balance at last statement' box may not match the amount in the 'Balance at the issue date' from your last account statement. This is because of a change in how your child support account is shown on the new statement. This will only occur on the first new look statement you receive. It doesn't mean you've been over charged or under charged. The new statement now shows all payments due before your next statement is issued.

Are you getting behind?

It's important to pay your child support in full and on time. If you're getting behind or think you might have trouble making the next payment, call us as soon as possible on 131 272*. When we talk with you, we'll consider your circumstances and come up with a manageable payment arrangement.

Our enforcement approach

If we can't come to an arrangement with you, we'll actively try to recover the overdue child support for the benefit of your children. Our enforcement approach includes:

You can find more information about our approach at www.csa.gov.au

CSAonline

Enrol to use CSAonline at www.csaonline.gov.au. You can access your CSAonline account when and where it suits you. It's quick and secure, giving you more choice and saving you time. You can check your latest account information, view and update your personal details, check when payments are due and how much, and access most CSA letters.

For further information and help

Support Services

Other CSA resources:

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.