The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

1.1.C.10 Care

Definition

Care is not defined in the child support (1.1.C.60) legislation. For child support purposes, care is generally determined based on the amount of overnight care a parent (1.1.P.10) or non-parent carer has provided or is likely to provide for a child over a care period (usually 12 months). However, a broad range of factors can be used to determine care depending on the circumstances of the individual case.

The child support formula (1.1.C.110) recognises how much care a parent or non-parent carer has of a child through the percentage of care (1.1.P.70) which is used to calculate the cost percentage (1.1.C.200).

A parent's percentage of care for a child will change when the care arrangements change, with some exceptions.

Act reference: CSA Act Part 5 Division 4—Percentage of care

CSRC Act section 4(1) Interpretation

Policy reference: CS Guide 2.2 Care, 10.2.8 Objections to care percentage decisions, 1.1.E.10 Eligible carer

Last reviewed: