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.P.50 Payment period

Definition

A payment period is the period at which amounts under a registered maintenance liability are payable.

When the Registrar registers a periodic liability arising under a court order or court registered maintenance agreement, a daily rate payable under that maintenance liability must be calculated. Depending on the payment period, a weekly, fortnightly, 4-weekly or monthly rate must also be calculated.

When registering a liability arising under a child support assessment (1.1.C.70), the Registrar must calculate a weekly, fortnightly, 4-weekly or monthly rate of payment based on the daily rate of child support (1.1.C.60) under the assessment. Child support debt (1.1.C.90) will accrue at particular times, depending on the payment period.

The payment period for a registered maintenance liability will depend on how the liability is collected and the circumstances of the payer (1.1.P.40).

Note: This definition does not apply to the term 'payment period' where it appears in section 76 of the CSRC Act, which deals with the entitlement of payees (1.1.P.30) to receive collected amounts.

Act reference: CSRC Act section 4(1)-'payment period', section 26 Particulars of liability …, section 26A Payment period to be entered …, section 26B Payment period to be entered …, section 76 Entitlement of payees …

Policy reference: CS Guide 7.4.1.30 How registrable maintenance liabilities are registered, 7.1.4 Agency collect payment periods

Last reviewed: