The new Child Support Scheme and changes to Family Assistance
More information and support is available
About the changes to the Child Support Scheme
For further information about the changes to the Scheme, review the Scheme Reforms section of the CSA website, the online publications and the latest CSA media releases.
About the changes to family assistance
To find out more about the changes to your family assistance payments, call the Family Assistance Office on 136 150 between 8.00am and 8.00pm (local time), Monday to Friday or visit www.familyassist.gov.au.
Child Support Matters newsletter
All customers receive this newsletter in the mail every few months, which has information about the changes to the Scheme and other CSA news.
eBulletins
eBulletins are an easy way to stay informed about changes to the Child Support Scheme. Each month, an eBulletin is emailed to customers and stakeholders with the latest information and updates. To subscribe go to the CSA website www.csa.gov.au then select Scheme Reforms then click Subscribe.
Estimating child support or family assistance
You may be able to use the Child Support—Family Assistance online estimator to estimate what your child support or family assistance payments might be from 1 July 2008. See information about this tool.
To access the online estimator go to one of the following websites:
Support services available in my area
CSA Community Services Directory
This directory lists over 2,300 community support services for separated
families.
Family Relationships Advice Line and Family Relationship Centres
The Family Relationship Advice Line is a national telephone service established
to help families affected by relationship or separation issues.
The Line can also refer you to the nearest Family Relationship Centre. Centres are located around Australia and can provide families with information about relationship and separation issues. Centres are run by professionally qualified staff who deliver confidential and impartial services, and who are able to make referrals if necessary.
For help and information call 1800 050 321 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, Monday to Friday, and 10.00 am to 4.00 pm Saturday (local time), except national public holidays.
Family Relationships Online
This service provides all families with information and advice about family
relationship issues. To find out more go to the website www.familyrelationships.gov.au
Veterans’ Affairs payments
If you receive a payment from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and you have questions about it, go to the website www.dva.gov.au or call 133 254.
Parenting and part-time work
Parents or carers who receive income support, including Parenting Payment, and are the main carers of a child will generally have to seek part-time work if their youngest child is aged between 6 and 15 years of age. Some exemptions apply to parents with special family circumstances. For more information go to the Centrelink website www.centrelink.gov.au or call Centrelink on 136 150.
CSA and the family courts
While the Family Courts have a limited role in child support matters, they can handle certain appeals from the Social Security Appeals Tribunal, and make orders for parentage testing and child maintenance.
Parentage testing and child support
If a person believes they are not the parent of a child, or if they
don't have proof of the parentage of the child, they can apply to the Family
Courts for a declaration of parentage. The court can order a DNA test to
determine parentage of the child, and the results are viewed as conclusive
evidence of parentage for child support purposes.
Child maintenance
The Family Courts deal with child maintenance for children whose child
support can not be assessed by the Child Support Agency. This affects parents
who separated and had their children before 1989.
A child maintenance order ends when the child turns 18, gets married or is in a de facto relationship—unless another order is made to enable the child to finish school or because of a physical or mental impairment.
Contacting the Family Court
Call the Family Law Courts' National Enquiry Centre on 1300 352
000.
Other activities
The key activities happening over the next few months until 1 July 2008 are:
- The Child Support—Family Assistance online estimator will be available in early 2008 to help you estimate your July 2008 child support or family assistance payments
- Some Family Assistance Office customers will receive a letter asking for information about shared care arrangements
- All CSA customers will receive their new child support assessments between March and May 2008
- The Family Assistance Office will ask customers for new financial year assessments
- The new Child Support Scheme will take effect from 1 July 2008
- Family Tax Benefit customers, whose rate will change in July based on the child support changes, will receive advice of their new rate of Family Tax Benefit
Free support products are available
Me
and My Kids
Practical ideas for separated parents on developing and maintaining
relationships with your kids after separation – particularly for parents who
spend much of their time away from their children.
Me
and My Money
Addresses the challenges that arise around money issues following
separation. Includes hints and tips on stretching your dollar further.
What
About Me?
Helping separated parents deal with emotional issues such as anxiety –
with suggestions and resources for dealing with them.
Me,
My Kids and My Ex
Providing helpful tips and hints on reducing conflict and building a
workable relationship with the other parent, for the benefit of the kids.
Me and My Changing Family
Deals with issues that affect separated families when parents
re-partner. Includes tips on building healthy relationships after separation.
Dealing with Separation
An interactive CD-ROM where real people in real situations share their
experiences, tips and tools about navigating their way through separation.
Separation
a guide for teens
Developed in consultation with teenagers and parents, this booklet
helps young people cope with family separation and change. It contains useful
hints and tips, with contacts for support services.
To order free copies go to the Child Support Agency website www.csa.gov.au or call 1800 040 972
Publications available in other languages
The Me and My booklets are available in Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish and Turkish.
Order copies at www.csa.gov.au or call 1800 040 972.
Website translation service
You can get a literal translation of the Child Support Agency website into a range of languages.
Go to www.csa.gov.au and click Choose your language
Do you need interpreting help?
If you don't speak English and need help from the Child Support Agency, ring the Telephone Interpreting Service on 131 450.