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.

2.2 The formulas

Introduction

The Registrar will use an administrative formula to calculate the annual rate (1.1.A.70) of child support (1.1.C.60) payable under an administrative assessment (1.1.A.30), unless the assessment is varied by:

  • a departure order by a court (2.5.5)
  • a change of assessment (1.1.C.50) decision (5.5), or
  • the provisions of a child support agreement (6.3).

The annual rate of child support payable is calculated using one of 6 formulas (section 35B). The 6 formulas are variations of one basic formula (1.1.B.10) and exist to recognise the different circumstances of families.

Parents (1.1.P.10) can use the online Child Support Estimator to estimate the amount of child support payable under a formula assessment (1.1.F.20) for a single child support case (1.1.C.80).

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