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.L.30 Liable parent

Definition

The liable parent in a child support assessment (1.1.C.70) is the person who is assessed to pay child support (1.1.C.60) for a child.

Where both parents (1.1.P.10) in a child support case (1.1.C.80) are assessed as liable to pay child support to the other for different children, the amounts payable by each parent will be offset. This means there will only be one annual rate (1.1.A.70) of child support payable in a child support case.

Example: Siddhi is liable to pay Paul $5,000 for child Zac. Paul is liable to pay $10,000 to Siddhi for child Rebecca. These liabilities are offset. This means that in the child support case involving Siddhi and Paul, Paul is liable to pay Siddhi an annual rate of $5,000.

Act reference: CSA Act section 5(1)-'child support case', section 5(1)-'liable parent', section 67A Offsetting of child support liabilities

Policy reference: CS Guide 1.1.C.60 Child support, 1.1.P.40 Payer, 1.1.P.30 Payee

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