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.30 Carer debt & carer liability

Definition

A carer debt is a debt due to the Commonwealth in relation to an overpayment (1.1.O.20) of a registered maintenance liability.

A carer liability is a type of liability under the CSRC Act that relates to a carer debt. A carer liability can be enforced by the Child Support Registrar in a similar way to registered maintenance liabilities.

Generally, the payer (1.1.P.40) of a carer liability is the payee (1.1.P.30) of the relevant registered maintenance liability and the payee of a carer liability is the payer of the registered maintenance liability.

For further information refer to the definition for overpayments.

Act reference: CSRC Act section 4(1)-'carer debt', section 4(1)-'carer liability', section 69B Overpayments of payees

Policy reference: CS Guide 8.1.1 Overpayments

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