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  • 11 Family Law
  • Child Maintenance
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Handbook

Child Maintenance

This chapter explains the structure of the Child Support Agency, how a parent can apply for child support, how to conduct private arrangements and enforcing or ending child maintenance orders.

Introduction

All parents are expected to contribute to the financial support of their children whether they were married, lived in a de facto relationship, or never lived together. The amount the liable parent must pay depends upon the income and financial situation of both parents. The Child Support Agenc...

How to Apply

First Steps There is an online form available. Also, the CSA needs proof that the person from whom the child support is sought is the child's parent (s29(2) Child Support Assessment Act 1989). This requirement is satisfied if: they were married and the child or children are of the marriage;...

Private Child Support and Collection Arrangements

Parties can enter into private agreements between themselves and can also choose to collect the child support without the assistance of the Child Support Agency. The Child Support Assessment Act also provides for the registration of private agreements with the Agency which will ensure that the ag...

Child Bearing Expenses

Under section 67B of the Family Law Act, the father of a child, whether or not he has ever lived with the mother, is liable to contribute to the mother's maintenance for the period before the birth. These expenses can include clothing for the child, cot and car seats as well as her medical expens...

Enforcement and Ending Child Maintenance Orders

Enforcement A child support order rarely means the end of a person’s financial problems. In many cases it is just the beginning. The parent who obtains the order in their favour faces problems of: irregular payment; inability to pay the full amount; disappearance of the other parent; ...

Administrative Remedies

Generally, the Child Support Agency will try to exhaust administrative remedies for enforcement before taking any court action. These can include: notices issued to third parties directing them to pay to the CSA any money they hold or may hold on behalf of the liable parent (most commonly us...

Page last updated 19/03/2018

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