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 - 2025

20 March 2025 (v4.88)

The Child Support Guide is in the process of being restructured.

PageTitleDetails
-Using the Child Support GuideUpdated to reflect restructure of the Child Support Guide.
1.4.3Frequently asked questions (FAQ)New section.
3.1.3Child maintenance orders (deleted - see 9.1.1)Removed information.
3.1.4Orders for step-parents to pay child maintenance (deleted - see 9.1.2)Removed information.
3.1.5Spousal & de facto maintenance orders (deleted - see 9.1.3)Removed information.
3.1.6Court registered agreements, financial agreements & parenting plans (deleted - see 9.1.4)Removed information.
3.2Requirements of registrable court orders & court registered agreements (deleted - see 9.3)Removed chapter.
3.3Notification of court orders & court registered agreements (deleted - see 9.3.3)Removed chapter.
3.4.1Requirement to advise the Registrar of new order or affecting event (deleted - see 9.2.1)Removed information.
3.4.2New order or court registered agreement that affects a liability (deleted - see 9.2.2)Removed information.
3.4.3CPI indexation for cost of livingUpdated CPI Figures.
3.4.4Joint election to suspend collection after a change in care (deleted - see 9.2.3)Removed information.
3.4.5Suspension for unemployment (low-income non-enforcement period) (deleted - see 9.2.4)Removed information.
3.5Interpreting court orders (deleted - see 9.3.4)Removed chapter.
4Objecting, seeking a review, appealing & applying to court (deleted - see Part 10)Removed part.
5Collecting child support (deleted - see Part 7 & Part 8)Removed part.
6Administration (deleted - see Part 11)Removed part.
7.3.1.10Opting out to private collectUpdated policy.
8.1.7Election to end collection of arrearsNew page.
9Australian court orders & court registered agreementsNew part.
10Objections, external reviews & court appealsNew part.
11AdministrationNew part.

3 February 2025 (v4.87)

The Child Support Guide is in the process of being restructured.

PageTitleDetails
-Using the Child Support GuideUpdated to reflect restructure of the Child Support Guide.
1.5.3Overseas orders, court registered agreements & assessmentsNew section.
2.2.3Below regular care determinationsUpdated policy.
2.2.4Interim care provisions & disputed care arrangementsUpdated policy.
2.9.3When child support is due & payable (deleted - see 7.1.1)Removed information.
2.9.4Private recovery of child support (deleted - see 8.4.8)Removed information.
3.1.2Recovery orders (deleted - see 8.4.7)Removed information.
3.6Overseas orders, court registered agreements & assessments (deleted - see 1.5.3)Removed chapter.
5.1Agency collection (deleted - see 7.4)Removed chapter.
5.2Administrative enforcement (deleted - see Part 8)Removed chapter.
5.3Non-agency payments, crediting lump sum payments & offsetting liabilities (deleted - see 7.5 & 8.1.6)Removed chapter.
5.4Court enforcement (deleted - see 8.4)Removed chapter.
5.5.2Entitlement to payment & disbursement cycle (deleted - see 7.1.2)Removed information.
5.5.3Top up (deleted - see 7.4.3.30)Removed information.
5.6Ending & reapplying for collection (deleted - see 7.3.1.10 & 7.4.1.10)Removed chapter.
5.7Non-pursuit of debts (deleted - see 8.1.4)Removed chapter.
5.8Obsolete entries (deleted - see 8.1.5)Removed chapter.
7Child support collection & payment optionsNew Part.
8Child support debt & enforcementNew Part.

2 January 2025 2025 (v4.86)

The Child Support Guide is in the process of being restructured.

PageTitleDetails
1.1.AKey terms beginning with the letter AIncreased section.
1.1.BKey terms beginning with the letter BNew section.
1.1.CKey terms beginning with the letter CNew section.
1.1.DKey terms beginning with the letter DNew section.
1.1.EKey terms beginning with the letter ENew section.
1.1.FKey terms beginning with the letter FNew section.
1.1.GKey terms beginning with the letter GNew section.
1.1.HKey terms beginning with the letter HNew section.
1.1.IKey terms beginning with the letter INew section.
1.1.LKey terms beginning with the letter LNew section.
1.1.MKey terms beginning with the letter MNew section.
1.1.NKey terms beginning with the letter NNew section.
1.1.OKey terms beginning with the letter ONew section.
1.1.PKey terms beginning with the letter PNew section.
1.1.RKey terms beginning with the letter RNew section.
1.1.SKey terms beginning with the letter SNew section.
1.1.TKey terms beginning with the letter TNew section.
1.1.YKey terms beginning with the letter YNew section.
1.5.1Australia's international maintenance arrangementsClarified policy.
1.6.1Australian residence - parent or non-parent carerClarified policy.
1.6.3Resident of a reciprocating jurisdictionClarified policy.
2.1.1Applications for assessmentClarified policy.
2.1.3ParentageClarified policy.
2.2.1Basics of careClarified policy.
2.3Child support periodsClarified policy.
2.3.1What is a child support period? (deleted - see 1.1.C.50)Removed information.
2.3.2When do child support periods start?Restructured page.
2.3.3When do child support periods end?Restructured page.
2.3.4Child support years (pre 1 July 1999) (deleted - see 1.1.C.170)Removed information.
2.4.1The formulasClarified policy.
2.4.2Formula tables & valuesUpdated Costs of the children tables, child support inflation factor and relocated explanation of rates, figures and factors to section 1.1 Definition of key terms.
2.4.4IncomeRestructured section.
2.4.4.10Child support incomeContent previously found in 2.4.4.20 now in 2.4.4.10. Updated title, restructured and clarified information.
2.4.4.20Adjusted taxable incomeContent previously found in 2.4.4.10 now in 2.4.4.20. Restructured and clarified information.
2.4.4.25Relevant dependent child amountNew page.
2.4.5Care, cost & child support percentages (deleted - see 1.1.C.20, 1.1.C.200, 1.1.C.140)Content previously found in 2.4.5 now in 1.1.C.20, 1.1.C.200 and 1.1.C.140.
2.4.6The costs of the childClarified policy.
2.4.7Formula 1 - the basic formula - a single case assessmentClarified policy.
2.4.9Formulas when a parent has multiple child support cases (Formulas 3 & 4)Restructured section.
2.4.9.10Formula 3 - multiple child support casesNew page.
2.4.9.20Formula 4 - multiple child support cases with a non-parent carerNew page.
2.4.13Historical formula tables & valuesAdded historical information to tables.
2.4.14Historical CPI valuesUpdated CPI figures.
2.5Applications & elections to amend an assessmentClarified policy.
2.5.1Income estimates for a year of incomeClarified policy.
2.5.1.10Making an income estimate electionClarified policy.
2.5.2Exclusion of additional income earned post-separationClarified policy.
2.6.10Reason 4 - income of the childUpdated rates.
2.6.14Reason 8 - a parent's income, property, financial resources, or earning capacityClarified policy.
2.10.1Suspension of liability to pay child support when parents reconcileClarified policy.
3.1.7Collection agency maintenance liabilities (deleted - see 1.1.C.180)Content previously found in 3.1.7 now in 1.1.C.180.
3.4.3CPI indexation for cost of livingUpdated CPI figures and example.
5Collecting child supportClarified policy.
5.1.5Payment periods & payment of child support debtsClarified policy.
5.2.4Employer obligations for collection from salary or wagesAdded 2025 protected earnings amount.
5.2.8Tax refund interceptsClarified policy.