Q: Who manages the payments of Child Support?

A: The Child Support Agency is usually responsible for collecting payments, unless you agree to a private collection.  If arrears accrue it is possible for you to pursue enforcement of arrears through the Court, if you wish.

The Child Support Agency is an Australian Federal Government office, attached to the Australian Taxation Office. It was formed in 1989and its purpose is to assess and collect child support payments.

Child support is assessed by the Child Support Agency pursuant to a formula.  The formula was changed in July 2008 and is based on a number of factors, including:

• The income of both parents;
• The level of care that each parent has; and
• The cost of children pursuant to the ‘cost’ tables.