4.1.6 Care arrangement

Context

For child support (1.1.C.60) purposes, a care arrangement and a written agreement for care (1.1.C.10) of a child has the same meaning used for family assistance purposes (FA Guide 1.1.C.05).

A document that acknowledges that care is occurring in a particular way does not constitute a written agreement, even if it is signed by both parties. The written agreement must indicate that the care arrangement constitutes an agreed, ongoing care arrangement for the child.

Disputed care (1.1.D.70) is different from situations where there is disagreement about the facts regarding the care of a child, whether or not a care arrangement is in place for the child. See 4.1.5 for information about how the Registrar deals with conflicting information or disputed facts about a care arrangement.

Situations where there is no care arrangement

A care arrangement does not exist where parents (1.1.P.10) only have a verbal agreement for the care of a child. Where there is no care arrangement in place for the care of the child, an interim period will not apply.

In cases where individuals are in dispute about care and they do not have a care arrangement in place, the care in the assessment will be based on the actual level of care each parent is providing. Similarly, if a non-parent carer was caring for a child on the basis of a verbal understanding with the child's parent, an interim period would not apply if the child returned to live with their parent against the wishes of the non-parent carer.