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 - 2021

8 November 2021 (v4.59)

Page Title Details
2.2.1 Basics of care Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.2.2 Care determinations & changes in care Clarified policy.
2.2.4 Disputed care arrangements Updated to reflect legislative changes.
2.5.2 Additional income earned post separation Clarified policy.
2.7.1 What is a child support agreement? Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.8.2 Implementing court orders that vary assessments Updated to reflect legislative change.
2.9.1 How an assessment is made Clarified policy.
3.1.6 Court registered agreements, financial agreements & parenting plans Updated to reflect legislative change.
3.4.2 New order or court registered agreement that affects a liability Updated to reflect legislative change.
3.6.2 Registering overseas maintenance liabilities for collection Clarified policy.
4.1.6 Making a decision to allow or disallow an objection Updated to reflect legislative change.
4.3.1 Overview Updated to reflect legislative change.
4.3.2 Applications & orders about decisions under the CSA Act Updated to reflect legislative change.
4.3.3 Implementing court orders made under the child support legislation Updated to reflect legislative change.
4.3.6 Appealing AAT decisions in court Updated to reflect legislative change.
4.3.7 The Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 Updated to reflect legislative change.
5.2.6 Collection from family tax benefit Clarified policy.
5.2.10 Collection from parental leave payments Clarified policy.
5.2.11 Departure prohibition orders Updated to reflect legislative change.
5.4.1 Choice of Court Updated to reflect legislative change.
5.4.4 Enforcement under the FL Act Updated to reflect legislative change.
5.4.5 Bankruptcy Updated to reflect legislative change.
5.4.7 Payee's right to enforce debt via court proceedings Updated to reflect legislative change.
5.5.4 Suspending payments to payees Updated to reflect legislative change.
6.4.1 Subpoenas & notices to produce documents Updated to reflect legislative change.
6.10.1 Family & domestic violence Clarified policy.

20 September 2021 (v4.58)

Page Title Details
3.4.3 CPI indexation for cost of living Added June 2021 consumer price index (CPI) figures.

1 July 2021 (v4.57)

Page Title Details
1.6.2 Residence & citizenship - child Clarified policy.
2.4.2 Formula tables & values Added 2020 average weekly earnings (AWE) value.
3.4.3 CPI indexation for cost of living Added March 2021 consumer price index (CPI) figures.
5.5.5 Overpayments Clarified policy.

10 May 2021 (v4.56)

Page Title Details
1.5.2 International agreements & conventions Updated legislative references.
2.4.6 The costs of the child Updated examples.
2.5.5 Application to have an assessment continue past a child's 18th birthday Updated examples.
3.4 Court ordered variations & events that affect registered maintenance liabilities (other than child support assessments) Clarified policy.
3.4.4 Joint election to suspend collection after a change in care Clarified policy.
5.3.1 Non-agency payments Updated examples.
5.4.5 Bankruptcy Clarified policy.
6.4.1 Subpoenas & notices to produce documents Clarified policy.

22 March 2021 (v4.55)

Page Title Details
3.4.3 CPI indexation for cost of living Added December 2020 consumer price index (CPI) figures.

8 February 2021 (v4.54)

Page Title Details
2.2.2 Care determinations & changes in care Clarified policy.
2.2.3 Below regular care determinations Clarified policy.

4 January 2021 (v4.53)

Page Title Details
1.2.1 Amendments to the CSRC Act Updated to reflect amendments to the Services Australia Governance Amendment Act 2020.
1.2.2 Amendments to the CSA Act Updated to incorporate changes from the Services Australia Governance Amendment Act 2020 and the Social Services and Other Legislation (Coronavirus and Other Measures) Act 2020.
1.5.1 Australia's international maintenance arrangements Corrected name of reciprocating jurisdiction.
2.4.2 Formula tables & values Added 2021 Costs of the Children Table.
2.6.10 Reason 4 - income of the child Updated to reflect 2021 basic values.
3.4.3 CPI indexation for cost of living Added September 2020 consumer price index (CPI) figures.
5.1.1 Child Support Registrar & the Child Support Register Updated to reflect amendments to the Services Australia Governance Amendment Act 2020.
5.2.4 Employer obligations for collection from salary or wages Added 2021 protected earnings amount and clarified policy.
6.3.3 Secrecy provisions Updated to reflect amendments to the Services Australia Governance Amendment Act 2020.
6.5 Forwarding documents Removed paragraph about WA ex-nuptial cases.
6.8.3 Offences involving a failure to comply with a requirement of the legislation Clarified policy.
6.8.4 False & misleading statements Clarified policy.
6.8.5 Offences in relation to departure prohibition orders Clarified policy.
6.8.6 Secrecy offences Updated to reflect amendments to the Services Australia Governance Amendment Act 2020.