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.

2.2.1 The steps involved in making a child support assessment

Description

When working out the annual rate (1.1.A.70) of child support (1.1.C.60) payable for a child using Formula 1 (2.2.2), the basic formula (1.1.B.10), the Registrar must use the following steps:

StepActionMore detail
1Work out each parent's (1.1.P.10) child support income (1.1.C.120) (CSA Act section 41)3.1 Child support income
2Work out the parents' combined child support income (1.1.C.190) (CSA Act section 42)2.2.2 Formula 1 - the basic formula - a single case assessment
3Work out each parent's income percentage (CSA Act section 55B)1.1.I.30 Income percentage
4Work out each parent's percentage of care for the child (CSA Act section 48)1.1.P.70 Percentage of care
5Work out each parent's cost percentage for the child (CSA Act section 55C)1.1.C.200 Cost percentage
6Work out each parent's child support percentage for the child (CSA Act section 55D)1.1.C.140 Child support percentage
7Work out the costs of the child under sections 55G and 55H of the CSA Act1.1.C.210 Costs of the child
8

If a parent has a positive child support percentage under Step 6, the 'annual rate of child support' payable by the parent for the child for the day is worked out using the formula:

  • Child support percentage × COTC
-

There are additional steps required when one of the other 5 formulas is used.

Act reference: CSA Act section 5 Interpretation—definitions, Part 5 Administrative assessment of child support, section 41 Working out parent’s child support income, section 42 Working out parents’ combined child support income, section 55B Working out income percentages, section 48 Simplified outline, section 55C Working out cost percentages, section 55D Working out child support percentages, section 55G Working out the costs of the children, section 55H Working out the costs of the child

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