Child Support in Australia [2026 Guide]
Child support is the financial contribution one parent makes to the other after separation, to help cover the costs of raising their children. In Australia, it's governed by federal law and administered by Services Australia — the same organisation for every family across the country.
What Is Child Support?
Child support is money paid by one parent to the other to help cover the everyday costs of raising a child after separation or divorce. It's not discretionary — Australian law provides a clear framework for calculating it.
Child support is separate from:
- Parenting Payment — a government benefit paid directly to the primary carer
- Family Tax Benefit (FTB) — a government payment to help with child-rearing costs
- Spousal maintenance — payments between ex-partners for personal support (not children)
Who Pays and Who Receives?
The parent who spends less time with the children typically pays child support to the parent who spends more time. But income plays a significant role too. The formula compares both parents' incomes and care arrangements to determine the transfer amount.
It's possible for a higher-earning parent with shared care to still pay child support to a lower-earning parent with more care time. The formula balances both factors.
How Is Child Support Calculated?
Australia uses an 8-step formula that takes into account:
- Both parents' adjusted taxable incomes
- A self-support amount ($31,046 in 2026) that each parent keeps
- The estimated annual cost of raising the children
- How much time the children spend with each parent
Calculate Your Payments Now
Our free calculator applies the official 2026 formula. Get your estimate in under a minute.
Use Free CalculatorFor a full walkthrough of the formula including worked examples, see: How is child support calculated in Australia.
How to Apply for Child Support
- Create a myGov account at my.gov.au and link it to Child Support
- Submit an online application
- Services Australia contacts the other parent (they can't block the assessment)
- An assessment is issued — usually within a few weeks
The assessment takes effect from the date you apply. There is no backdating.
Private Arrangements vs Services Australia
| Approach | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Self-managed (informal) | Parents agree privately, no government involvement | High-trust situations |
| Limited Agreement | Written agreement registered with Services Australia, at or above formula rate | Cooperative parents wanting a formal record |
| Binding Agreement | Legally enforceable, can go above or below formula, both parents need independent legal advice | Complex situations, below-formula payments, special expenses |
See: Child support private agreement in Australia.
What Does Child Support Cover?
Standard child support covers everyday costs: food, basic clothing, housing, standard medical and dental expenses, and routine school costs. It does not cover:
- Private school fees
- Extracurricular activities
- Overseas holidays
- High-cost medical or dental treatment
- Luxury items
See: What does child support not cover in Australia.
How Much Child Support Will I Pay or Receive?
Approximate figures for a single child:
| Paying parent income | Receiving parent income | Care split | Approx. weekly payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $40,000 | 70/30 | ~$120/week |
| $80,000 | $40,000 | 70/30 | ~$170/week |
| $100,000 | $50,000 | 70/30 | ~$200/week |
| $80,000 | $40,000 | 50/50 | ~$70/week |
| $100,000 | $0 | 70/30 | ~$220/week |
Approximate figures for illustration only. Use the calculator for your specific situation.
When Does Child Support End?
Child support ends when the child turns 18, or at the end of the school year if they're still in secondary school at 18. It ends earlier if the child marries, enters a de facto relationship, or becomes self-supporting.
Any unpaid arrears remain collectible even after the assessment ends. See: Child support age limit in Australia.
What if the Other Parent Won't Pay?
Services Australia can enforce payment using:
- Wage garnishing — deducting directly from their employer
- ATO intercepts — taking arrears from their tax refund
- Bank account deductions
- Passport cancellation or departure prohibition orders
Changing a Child Support Assessment
- Automatic reassessment: happens each year when tax returns are lodged, or when income changes by more than 15%
- Change of Assessment: apply to Services Australia to depart from the formula on one of 10 specific grounds
- Private agreement: if both parents agree, a Limited or Binding Agreement can replace the assessment
See: Change of Assessment for child support in Australia.
Child Support and Family Tax Benefit
If you receive child support:
- There's a Maintenance Income Free Area — a threshold of child support that doesn't reduce your FTB
- Child support above that threshold reduces your FTB Part A
Getting more child support doesn't always mean more money overall if it reduces your FTB.
Getting Legal Advice
Free and low-cost legal advice is available from:
- Legal Aid in your state — free advice for eligible individuals
- Community legal centres — free advice regardless of income for many topics
- Family Law Hotline: 1800 050 321 — free advice on family law matters including child support
All Child Support Topics
| Topic | What it covers |
|---|---|
| How is child support calculated | The 8-step formula with worked examples |
| Child support formula | Detailed breakdown of each step |
| What child support doesn't cover | Exclusions and how to address them |
| Child support private agreement | Limited vs Binding Agreement comparison |
| Change of Assessment | 10 grounds and the full process |
| Child support age limit | When payments end and exceptions |
| Parenting Payment calculator | Government payment for primary carers |
| Child support calculator VIC | State-specific guide and calculator |
| Child support calculator QLD | State-specific guide and calculator |
| Child support calculator WA | State-specific guide and calculator |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is child support compulsory in Australia?
Yes — if one parent applies for a formal assessment, the other parent cannot refuse it.
What if we were never married?
It doesn't matter. Child support obligations apply to all parents — married, de facto, or neither.
Is child support taxable?
No. Child support received is not taxable income, and child support paid is not tax deductible.
What if my ex gets a new partner with a high income?
A new partner's income does not affect child support calculations. Only the biological or adoptive parents' incomes are used.
Can child support be paid in kind (e.g. paying school fees directly)?
This is only recognised if it's set up as a prescribed non-agency payment. Ad hoc payments don't automatically reduce the child support obligation unless formalised.
Can grandparents or other carers receive child support?
In some circumstances yes — if a grandparent or non-parent carer has primary care of a child, they may be able to apply for child support from the parents.