How to Object to Child Support Assessment Australia 2026

You've received your child support assessment from Services Australia. The amount looks wrong. Maybe they've used incorrect income figures, miscalculated your care percentage, or made an administrative error.

The 28-Day Deadline: Why It Matters

You have the right to object to a child support assessment in Australia. But you need to act fast—you only have 28 days from the date you receive the notice.

This guide explains how to object to a child support assessment, what grounds are valid, what evidence you need, and what happens if your objection is rejected.

How to Lodge an Objection

You can object to a child support assessment if you believe Services Australia made an error in calculating the amount. But you can't object simply because you think the amount is too high.

You cannot object to an assessment simply because:

What Happens After You Lodge an Objection?

If your situation involves special circumstances not captured by the formula (like hidden income, high contact costs, or special needs), you need to apply for a router.push('/special-circumstances')} > Change of Assessment

When Services Australia issues a child support assessment, you have 28 days from the date you receive the notice to lodge an objection. This deadline is strict and non-negotiable in most cases.

Appealing to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)

If you miss the 28-day deadline, you have two options:

Lodging an objection is straightforward, but you need to be thorough and provide evidence.

When to Get Legal Help

Before you lodge your objection, collect all relevant documents:

Your objection should clearly state:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

You can lodge your objection three ways:

Once Services Australia receives your objection, here's what to expect:

Frequently Asked Questions

If Services Australia rejects your objection, you can appeal to the ART. The ART is an independent tribunal that reviews child support decisions. The ART replaced the former AAT and SSAT in October 2024.

If the ART upholds Services Australia's decision, you may be able to apply for a second review within the ART for certain decisions (such as care percentage decisions). For other decisions, you can appeal to the Federal Court on a question of law. Court appeals are highly formal and legal representation is strongly recommended.

Key Takeaways

You don't need a lawyer to lodge an objection, but legal advice can significantly improve your chances of success in certain situations.

Objecting to a child support assessment is your right when Services Australia makes an error. But success depends on acting quickly, providing solid evidence, and understanding the process.

Before you object, verify that your assessment is actually wrong. Use our calculator to check if the amount matches what the formula should produce. If there's a significant difference, you likely have grounds for an objection.