Child Support

Child support is a payment made by one or both parents to the other to help with the cost of looking after the children.

Parents are responsible for the financial support of their child / children. Services Australia is responsible for administering Australia’s child support scheme.

A parent’s responsibility to pay child support is not changed by:

  • separation or divorce;
  • where the child lives or the amount of time the child spends with each parent; or
  • the remarriage of one or both parents.

What is a Child Support Agreement?

The Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 (Cth) governs the payment of child support in Australia. It allows for parties to voluntarily enter into two types of Child Support Agreements.

If parents agree, they can make a legally enforceable agreement about the amount, frequency and method of child support payments after separation.

There are two types of child support agreements:

  • limited agreements
  • binding agreements

Entering into either of these agreements allows parties to opt out of an Assessment of each parent’s obligation to pay child support as determined by Services Australia.

Contact Us

If you would like to consider whether a limited child support agreement or a binding child support agreement might be right for you, please contact us to arrange an initial consultation. We would be pleased to discuss your options with you.

Contact our experienced family lawyers for more information and advice tailored to your individual situation.

Call (07) 5532 3199 or enquire online.