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.

Child Support Guide updates - 2019

11 November 2019 (v4.44)

Page Title Details
2.4.12 The minimum annual rate of child support Clarified policy.
5.3.1 Non-agency payments Clarified policy.
5.3.4 Reduction of debts when other debts paid back Clarified policy.
6.3.5 Proof of identity Updated to reflect Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule 2015 (TFN Rule).
6.11 Compensation & waiver of debts Clarified policy.

20 September 2019 (v4.43)

Page Title Details
1.4 Western Australia & the child support scheme Updated to reflect legislative change.
1.4.1 Overview Updated to reflect legislative change.
1.4.2 History of the application of the CSRC Act to WA ex-nuptial cases Updated to reflect legislative change.
1.4.3 History of the application of the CSA Act to WA ex-nuptial cases Updated to reflect legislative change.
1.4.4 Overseas-related Maintenance Obligations (deleted - see 1.5.1) Removed information.
1.5 International arrangements Updated to reflect legislative change.
1.5.1 Australia's international maintenance arrangements Added frequently asked question: Do overseas-related maintenance obligations apply to Western Australian (WA) ex-nuptial cases.
2.7.1 What is a child support agreement? Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.7.4 Effect of a child support agreement once accepted by the Registrar (other than lump sum payment provisions) Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.7.5 Changing or terminating a child support agreement Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.7.6 Suspending a child support agreement Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.10.2 Electing to end an assessment Updated to reflect legislative change.
3 Registrable maintenance liabilities Updated to reflect legislative change.
3.4.3 CPI indexation for cost of living Added June 2019 consumer price index (CPI) figures.
6.8 Offences & prosecution Updated to reflect legislative change.

12 August 2019 (v4.42)

Page Title Details
2.2.2 Care determinations & changes in care Clarified policy.
2.4.10 Assessments using the income of only 1 parent (formulas 5 & 6) Clarified policy.
3.1.1 Child support assessments Clarified policy.
3.1.3 Child maintenance orders Clarified policy.
3.2.2 Court orders & arrears Clarified policy.
3.5.4 Orders dealing with arrears Clarified policy.
4.1.4 Can an objection decision be made? Updated policy.
6.7.1 Methods of service Updated policy.

1 July 2019 (v4.41)

Page Title Details
2.4.2 Formula tables & values Added 2018 average weekly earnings (AWE) value.
2.4.9 Assessments when a parent has multiple child support cases (formulas 3 & 4) Clarified policy.
2.5.2 Additional income earned post separation Clarified policy.
3.4.3 CPI indexation for cost of living Added March 2019 consumer price index (CPI) figures.
5.2.9 Collection from third parties Clarified policy.
5.3.3 Crediting lump sum payments Clarified policy.
6.2.1 Information need not be in writing Clarified policy.

6 May 2019 (v4.40)

Page Title Details
2.4.5 Care, cost & child support percentages Clarified policy.
2.4.12 The minimum annual rate of child support Clarified policy.
2.6.1 When can the Registrar consider changing an assessment? Clarified policy.
2.6.5 Change of assessment process - application from payer or payee Clarified policy.

20 March 2019 (v4.39)

Page Title Details
3.4.3 CPI Indexation for Cost of Living Added December 2018 CPI figures.
5.2.4 Employer Obligations for Collection from Salary or Wages Clarified policy.
5.2.9 Collection from Third Parties Added information regarding Status Resolution Support Services Program payments.

4 February 2019 (v4.38)

Page Title Details
2.1.5 Deciding to Accept or Refuse an Application Updated policy.
2.6.10 Reason 4 - Income of the Child Updated 2019 significant income figures.
2.10.2 Electing to End an Assessment Clarified policy.
5.2.11 Departure Prohibition Orders Clarified policy and updated examples.
5.3.1 Non-agency Payments Clarified policy.
6.3.5 Proof of Identity Clarified policy.
6.3.7 Restricted Access to Certain Information (deleted) Removed information.
6.10.1 Family & Domestic Violence Updated policy.

2 January 2019 (v4.37)

Page Title Details
2.4.2 Formula Tables & Values Added 2019 Costs of the Children Table.
2.4.4.60 New information about Adjusted Taxable Income Clarified policy.
2.5.1 Income Estimates for a Year of Income Clarified policy.
2.6.14 Reason 8 - a Parent's Income, Property, Financial Resources, or Earning Capacity Clarified policy.
2.6.17 Would a Change be Just & Equitable? Clarified policy.
2.7.6 Suspending a Child Support Agreement Clarified policy.
3.4.3 CPI Indexation for Cost of Living Added September 2018 CPI figures.
5.2.4 Employer Obligations for Collection from Salary or Wages Updated protected earnings rate.
5.2.5 Collection from Social Security Pensions & Benefits Removed references to obsolete payments.
5.2.9 Collection from Third Parties Clarified policy.
5.2.10 Collection from Parental Leave Payments Clarified policy.
5.3.2 Offsetting Debts between Payees & Payers Added example.
5.5.5 Overpayments Clarified policy.
5.8.1 Obsolete Entries Clarified policy.