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.

7.1.3 When child support is due & payable

Due & payable

Child support (1.1.C.60) payable in relation to any day in a month becomes due and payable on the later of:

  • the seventh day of the following month, or
  • the 30th day after the liable parent (1.1.P.10) concerned was given a notice of assessment.

Act reference: CSA Act section 78 When amounts of child support due and payable

Due dates for payment

Initial period

A child support debt (1.1.C.90) for days in the initial period are due and payable to the Registrar on the seventh day of the month following that day. However, if a liability starts, or is varied, on or after the day the Payer Account Statement issues (usually during the second last full weekend of the month, but this can vary), the liability is due and payable on the seventh day of the month after the following month. This takes into account the need to notify the payer (1.1.P.40) of the new or varied liability.

Example: The initial period is 28 June to 3 July. The payer must ensure that payment reaches the Registrar by, or on, 7 August.

Voluntary payer

A child support debt for a payment period (1.1.P.50) that is made by a voluntary payer is due and payable on the seventh day after the last day of the payment period. A LPP (1.1.L.20) (8.2) is imposed on a payer when they fail to pay their child support debt by the due date.

Example: The Register states that the payer must pay $500 for each monthly pay period. This means the payer must ensure that payment reaches the Registrar by, or on, the seventh of each month.

Employer withholding (1.1.E.20)

Information about the due dates for payment by employers who have deducted a child support debt from an employee's wage or salary is contained in section 7.4.3. The payer is discharged from their liability to make payments directly to the Registrar to the extent of the amounts that the employer has deducted from their wages or salary. The payer is required to pay any shortfall to the Registrar and this is due on the seventh day after the last day of the payment period.

Example: The Register states that the payer must pay $250 each fortnight and a fortnightly period ends on the 15 June. This means the payer must ensure that payment reaches the Registrar by, or on 22 June.

Act reference: CSRC Act section 66 When child support debts become payable, section 67 Penalty for late payment of child support debts

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