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.150 Child support period

Definition

A CSP is a period of time to which a child support assessment (1.1.C.70) applies.

Each child support assessment applies to a separate CSP. A CSP is a flexible period of time, which cannot exceed 15 months. The length of the CSP for any assessment will vary according to the individual circumstances of the child support case (1.1.C.80) which determines both the start and end date of the CSP.

The rate of child support (1.1.C.60) may change during the CSP as the assessment may be amended to replace default incomes or to take account of various changes such as changes in the care of children, the ages of the children, or the application of an income estimate (1.1.I.20). These amendments may apply to the whole CSP or just part of the CSP, depending upon the nature of the change, when it occurred, and when the Registrar was advised of the change.

Act reference: CSA Act section 5(1)-‘child support period’, section 7A-'child support period', Part 4A—Assessments of child support …

Policy reference: CS Guide 2.3 Child support periods

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