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.

5.2 Administrative enforcement

Introduction

This chapter describes Services Australia's administrative methods of collecting child support. These are actions that Services Australia can take to require payment of child support.

The Registrar can collect child support as voluntary payments from the payer or by intercepting money which would otherwise be payable to a payer (e.g. a tax refund or from their employer). The involvement of a court is not required. The Registrar can exercise certain administrative enforcement powers by issuing a notice. However, legal requirements apply to the form and service of notices, and legal consequences flow from their use.

Each topic below describes the collection method, and the consequences and restrictions which apply to its use.

WA ex-nuptial cases

All of the information in these chapters applies to WA ex-nuptial children.

See 1.4.2 for details of the dates from which various provisions had effect.

Last reviewed: