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 - 2022

7 November 2022 (v4.67)

Page Title Details
2.4.2 Formula tables & values Corrected parenting payment single amount in Basic Value table for 2022.
2.6.4 Kinds of change of assessment decisions Clarified policy.
2.7.4 Effect of a child support agreement once accepted by the Registrar (other than lump sum payment provisions) Removed reference to WA ex-nuptial children.
2.7.5 Changing or terminating a child support agreement Clarified policy.
2.9.5 Amending assessments Clarified policy.
3.3.1 Notification of court orders & court registered agreements Clarified policy.
3.5.6 Other common provisions in court orders & agreements Clarified policy.
6.8.6 Secrecy offences Clarified policy.

20 September 2022 (v4.66)

Page Title Details
3.4.3 CPI indexation for cost of living Added June 2022 consumer price index (CPI) figures.

15 August 2022 (v4.65)

Page Title Details
2.2 Care Clarified policy.
2.3.2 When do child support periods start? Clarified policy.
2.4.4.10 Adjusted taxable income Updated policy.
2.6.14 Reason 8 - a parent's income, property, financial resources, or earning capacity Updated policy.
2.6.17 Would a change be just & equitable? Clarified policy.
2.6.5 Change of assessment process - application from payer or payee Updated policy.
5.2.9 Collection from third parties Updated policy.

1 July 2022 (v4.64)

Page Title Details
1.3.1 Objects of the CSA Act Clarified policy.
1.3.2 Objects of CSRC Act Clarified policy.
2.4.2 Formula tables & values Added 2021 average weekly earnings (AWE) value.
2.6.6 Registrar-initiated change of assessment Updated policy.
2.7.3 Making a decision on an application for acceptance of a child support agreement Clarified policy.
2.9.3 When child support is due & payable Clarified policy.
3.4.3 CPI indexation for cost of living Added March 2022 consumer price index (CPI) figures.
5.1.4 Collection of arrears accrued during non-collect period Clarified policy.

9 May 2022 (v4.63)

Page Title Details
2.6.2 What are the reasons for a change of assessment? Clarified policy.
2.10.3 Terminating events Clarified policy.
4.1.7 Effect of objection on original decision Updated Act reference.

21 March 2022 (v4.62)

Page Title Details
2.1.1 Applications for assessment Updated to reflect departmental name change.
2.1.3 Parentage Clarified policy.
2.1.4 Withdrawing an application Updated to reflect departmental name change.
2.2 Care Clarified policy.
2.2.5 Alignment of care between child support & FTB Clarified policy.
2.4.5 Care, cost & child support percentages Clarified policy.
2.7.6 Suspending a child support agreement Clarified policy.
2.10.4 Suspension of liability to pay child support when there is a change in eligible carer Clarified policy.
3.4.3 CPI indexation for cost of cost of living Added March 2021 consumer price index (CPI) figures.
4.1.5 Extensions of time to lodge objections Clarified policy.
4.2.2 Decisions which can be reviewed by the AAT Clarified policy.
4.3.4 FL Act orders affecting a child support assessment Clarified policy.
5.2.2 Payer election to pay Services Australia directly Updated to reflect departmental name change.
5.5.1 Child Support Account Updated to reflect departmental name change.
5.6.1 Election to end collection Clarified policy.
5.6.3 Reapplying for collection Clarified policy.
5.8.1 Obsolete entries Clarified policy.
6.3.5 Proof of identity Updated to reflect departmental name change.
6.7.1 Methods of service Updated to reflect departmental name change.

7 February 2022 (v4.61)

Page Title Details
1.2.1 Amendments to the CSRC Act Updated to reflect legislative change.
1.2.2 Amendments to the CSA Act Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.4.12 The minimum annual rate of child support Updated rate.
5.3.2 Offsetting debts between payees & payers Clarified policy.
5.3.4 Reduction of debts when other debts paid back Updated to reflect departmental name change.
5.7.1 Non-pursuit of debt Updated to reflect departmental name change.
6.7.4 Service & evidence Clarified policy.

4 January 2022 (v4.60)

Page Title Details
Using the Child Support Guide Clarified 'what is covered'.
1.2.1 Amendments to the CSRC Act Updated to reflect legislative change.
1.2.2 Amendments to the CSA Act Updated Act references.
1.4.1 Overview Updated to reflect department name change.
2.1.5 Deciding to accept or refuse an application Clarified policy.
2.4.2 Formula tables & values Added 2022 Costs of the Children Table.
2.4.4.10 Adjusted taxable income Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.4.4.20 Other components of child support income Clarified policy.
2.4.4.30 Amended tax assessments Clarified policy.
2.4.4.40 Determination of adjusted taxable income Updated Act references and examples.
2.4.4.50 Determination of adjusted taxable income - before 01/07/2011 Updated Act references.
2.4.7 The basic formula - a single case assessment (Formula 1) Updated example.
2.4.10 Assessments using the income of only one parent (Formulas 5 & 6) Updated references.
2.4.11 Fixed annual rate of child support for certain low income parents Removed reference to ceased payments.
2.6.9 Reason 3 - high costs of caring for, educating or training the child in the manner expected by the parents Clarified policy.
2.6.10 Reason 4 - income of the child Updated example.
2.6.12 Reason 6 - high costs of child care Clarified policy.
2.6.15 Reason 9 - the duty to maintain any other child or another person Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.10.1 Suspension of liability to pay child support when parents reconcile Updated examples and department name.
3.1.3 Child maintenance orders Clarified policy.
3.4.3 CPI indexation for cost of living Added September 2021 consumer price index (CPI) figures.
4.3.7 The Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 Updated to reflect legislative change.
5.1.2 Registrable maintenance liabilities & how they are registered Updated to reflect department name change.
5.1.3 Date a liability first becomes enforceable Updated to reflect department name change.
5.2.4 Employer obligations for collection from salary or wages Added 2022 protected earnings amount and updated example.
5.2.5 Collection from social security pensions & benefits Removed reference to ceased payments.
5.2.7 Collection from veterans' pensions & allowances Updated to reflect legislative change.
5.2.8 Tax refund intercepts Clarified policy.
5.4.6 Setting aside a transaction Clarified policy.
6.1.1 Child Support Registrar's powers Updated to reflect department name change.
6.1.2 Delegation of powers Clarified policy.
6.1.3 Authorisation to make decision on another's behalf Clarified policy.
6.2.1 Information need not be in writing Clarified policy.