Child Support and other assistance
Child support
Both parents have a duty to provide financial support for their children. This applies even if they were never in a relationship. You can call The Child Support Agency on 131 272 to discuss options available to you or browse The Child Support Agency website: www.csa.gov.au
If you choose self administration you do not apply to The Agency, you make the arrangements privately with the other parent.
You may be entitled to Centrelink benefits such as Family Tax Benefit and entitlements to housing after separation. For further information see: www.centrelink.gov.au
Centrelink/Family Assistance Office (FAO) are responsible for deciding when a person who is receiving more than the minimum rate of Family Tax Benefit has to take action to obtain child support. They will also adjust a parent's Family Tax Benefit to take into account the amount of child support they have received.
Legal Aid has a specialist Child Support Legal Unit which may be able to help you with any child support problems: for further information see www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
You may be eligible for child support if the payer or payee and child reside overseas. For more information contact The Child Support Agency on 131272.
Child Support and other assistance
Both parents have a duty to provide financial support for their children. This applies even if they were never in a relationship.
When parents separate, they need to make financial arrangements for their children. How they do this depends on when they separated and when their children were born.
Child support, or maintenance, is money paid by a parent who does NOT have sole daily care of the children.
To decide what option is best for you, you can call the Child Support Agency.
