Child support is primarily intended to ensure both parents contribute financially to the upbringing of their child or children after separation or divorce. This means that the child or children receive sufficient financial support for their daily maintenance, expenses, housing, activities, and education.
Parents can agree on how to meet their child’s costs privately, either informally or through a private agreement called a Limited Child Support Agreement or Binding Child Support Agreement.
If parents cannot agree on how to maintain their child, Child Support will be evaluated by a Child Support Registrar, which is part of the Australian Department of Human Services (DHS), commonly known as the “Child Support Agency.” It is a separate administrative process from parenting proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Under the Child Support Assessment Act, a parent or a non-parent carer of a child may apply for an administrative assessment of Child Support to be paid by a parent for a child. A “parent” is defined as someone who is a biological, adoptive, or a parent of a child born through an artificial conception procedure (such as IVF).
Although the Child Support Agency typically assesses child support payments, not all assessments are appropriate. If you believe your assessment is unjust, we can assist you in resolving the matter.