Child support is the ongoing financial contribution one parent makes to the other for the cost of raising a child after separation. It is administered nationally by Services Australia, separately from property settlement and spousal maintenance.
How a standard assessment works
Services Australia calculates most child support using a formula that considers both parents’ adjusted taxable incomes, a self-support amount retained by each parent, each parent’s percentage of care, and standard costs-of-children tables. The result is an administrative assessment rather than a court order.
Disputing an assessment
If you disagree with an assessment — because it does not reflect your actual income, your care arrangements have changed, or your circumstances involve something the standard formula does not capture well — you can seek a change through an objection process, and ultimately through external review if the dispute is not resolved.
Agreements instead of a standard assessment
Parents can also agree to a limited or binding child support agreement instead of relying on the standard formula. A binding agreement carries more certainty but requires both parents to obtain independent legal advice before signing, similar in spirit to a binding financial agreement for property.
Free local support
The Legal Services Commission of South Australia runs a free, telephone-based child support advice service for South Australian parents, separate from Services Australia itself. We can help you understand how this fits alongside formal legal advice on your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer for a standard child support assessment?
Not usually. Most assessments are handled directly through Services Australia. Legal advice becomes more valuable where you want to dispute an assessment or formalise a private agreement.
What if my income or care arrangements change?
Changes in income or care percentage can justify a new assessment or a change to an existing agreement, and should generally be addressed as soon as they occur rather than left unresolved.
What is the difference between a limited and a binding child support agreement?
A binding agreement offers more certainty and requires independent legal advice for both parents before signing. A limited agreement is more flexible but generally has a shorter effective period.
Can child support arrangements be changed later?
Yes, standard assessments update automatically as circumstances change, and agreements can generally be varied or ended by consent, or through the dispute process where you cannot agree.
Is child support the same as spousal maintenance?
No. Child support is for the cost of raising a child. Spousal maintenance is a separate, means-based entitlement between former partners.
Child support is one part of the wider financial picture after separation; our family law overview sets it against property settlement and spousal maintenance.
Contact WPI Lawyers for advice on a child support dispute or agreement.