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.210 Costs of the child

Definition

A particular object of the CSA Act is that the level of financial support to be provided by parents (1.1.P.10) for their children should be determined in accordance with the COTC.

The Costs of the Children Table (2.4.2) calculates the COTC for:

  • the costs for a relevant dependent child (1.1.R.60) amount
  • the multi-case child costs (1.1.M.50), and
  • the COTC support children in the assessment.

The COTC for the relevant dependent child amount and/or multi-case child costs is calculated to ensure a parent’s financial responsibility to support other children is recognised when their child support income (1.1.C.120) is calculated. The costs are calculated based on the income of the parent, and the number and ages of the relevant children.

The COTC for the child support children in the assessment is calculated to determine how the costs of each child in a COA (1.1.C.50) will be shared by both parents (either by care (1.1.C.10) and/or the payment of child support). The costs are calculated based on the combined income of the parents (Formula 1 to 4) or the income of one parent if the other parent’s income is not available (Formula 5 and 6). The costs are also based on the number and age of the children.

Act reference: CSA Act section 4 Objects of Act, section 5(1)-'costs of a child', Part 5 Division 6—The costs of the child

Policy reference: CS Guide 2.4.2 Formula tables & values, 2.4.7 Formula 1 - the basic formula – a single case assessment, 2.4.6 The costs of the child

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