The Child Support Agency website contains information regarding the formula used to calculate the amount of child maintenance payable by a liable parent to the other parent who has the ongoing main care and support for the child or children of the relationship. Once a parent applies for child support, the Child Support Agency conducts an assessment of maintenance payable using the formula under the Child Support Scheme.
If the parents of a child or children are able to reach their own agreement as to the amount or details of child support payable by one parent to the other, such agreement can be registered with the Child Support Agency. Subsequent to that, the parties to a Child Support Agreement can change its terms by making a further Agreement. If they cannot agree on the terms of a new Agreement, then the terms of the original Child Support Agreement registered with the Child Support Agency remain binding until a Court changes these terms.
The child support formula attempts to provide an assessment that is just and equitable. If either party is dissatisfied with the assessment provided, he or she may apply to a Senior Case Officer in the Child Support Agency for an independent review of the assessment, following which a determination will be made as to whether or not there are special circumstances which would justify a change from the assessment.
If either party remains unhappy with the result obtained from the Senior Case Officer, he or she may then lodge an objection to the decision with the Child Support Agency. Thereafter, a dissatisfied party is entitled to bring this issue before the Court for a determination.
For further information regarding child maintenance, please do not hesitate to contact the Child Support Agency through their website www.csa.gov.au or by telephoning them on 131 272 (within Australia).
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