Updated November 2, 2026. If you have separated and need a clear way to set child support, you can apply to Services Australia for a child support assessment. The agency—not the parents—uses the statutory formula to decide who pays and how much. You can apply online, and a new applicant does not need to create a myGov account before submitting. This guide reflects Services Australia’s application page, last updated October 8, 2026, and the Department of Social Services’ Child Support Guide, Version 5.01, released September 21, 2026.
You can generally apply if you are a legal parent or an eligible non-parent carer, and the case meets Australian residence rules. A child must generally be under 18 and meet the eligible-child requirements. Services Australia must be satisfied that both named parents are the child’s legal parents. Birth certificates, adoption records, a court document, or other evidence may help establish parentage; if proof is unclear, the agency may ask for supporting information.
A grandparent, guardian, or other non-parent carer may be able to apply if they care for the child for at least 128 nights a year, are not the partner of either parent, and the parents agreed to the care arrangement unless it would be unreasonable for them to care for the child. Cross-border cases have extra rules. Services Australia says it can usually assess a case when both parents live in Australia, or when one lives in Australia and the other lives in a reciprocating jurisdiction. If you or the other parent lives overseas, check the residence rules before using the standard online process.
An assessment is different from an informal agreement: it sets an assessed amount under Australian law. It does not automatically mean the parent with less care will pay; the result depends on the parents’ circumstances.
You do not need to calculate the final amount yourself. Before opening the application, gather accurate details you have about:
Services Australia may ask for more documents, including a statutory declaration. For care arrangements, useful evidence can include a calendar or diary, a parenting plan, school or activity records, health-service records, and travel records. If you and the other parent disagree about care, submit what you have and explain the disagreement rather than presenting an estimate as settled fact. See the official guidance on how care percentages are worked out.
If you live outside Australia, you may need the international application form or to apply through the relevant overseas maintenance authority. The right route depends on where the parents and child live.
The assessment is not based on one parent’s income alone. The formula considers both parents’ adjusted taxable incomes, each parent’s share of the combined income, the percentage of care each provides, and the child’s age and costs. Care can affect both the amount and which parent is assessed to pay. Services Australia updates the child-cost figures; use its current child support assessment formula and estimator rather than an old online example.
Services Australia also uses information from different sources to check income details. If your income has changed, or the other parent’s details appear incomplete, tell the agency what you know and provide supporting evidence when requested. An assessment notice will state how much is payable and when payments start.
After an assessment, the receiving parent can choose between two collection options. The right choice depends on reliability, recordkeeping, Family Tax Benefit, and whether direct contact feels safe.
| Option | How it works | Consider it when |
|---|---|---|
| Child Support Collect | Services Australia collects payments from the paying parent and transfers them to the receiving parent, keeping payment records. | You want the agency to manage payments, need help when payments fall behind, or direct money discussions are difficult. |
| Private Collect | The agency sets the assessed amount, but the parents arrange payment timing and transfer directly. Both should keep records. | Payments are reliable, you can communicate about money, and you want more flexibility. |
Private Collect may affect Family Tax Benefit Part A because Services Australia generally bases the payment on the amount assessed, even if you do not collect the full amount. If you are worried about family violence, financial abuse, or another safety risk, contact Services Australia before choosing. You can ask about Child Support Collect, speak with a Centrelink social worker, and ask whether an exemption from the Family Tax Benefit maintenance action test may apply. Services Australia also lists 1800RESPECT for confidential family and domestic violence support.
If Services Australia accepts a properly made application, the Child Support Guide says the assessment starts on the day the application is made. That start date is not a promise that a decision or payment will arrive that same day, so apply promptly once you have enough information to submit. If you receive Family Tax Benefit Part A, a separate maintenance action rule may require you to apply for an assessment or ask Child Support to accept an agreement within 91 days of events such as separation or becoming eligible. An exemption may be available in situations including family violence or unknown parentage.
Services Australia will write to you and the other parent with its decision. If it makes an assessment, read the notice carefully: check the income details, care percentages, amount, and payment start date. Tell Services Australia promptly if care arrangements change; reporting within 28 days may affect the date from which a new care percentage applies. If you disagree with a decision, check whether you can object and follow the instructions on the notice.
For the current steps, start with Services Australia’s application page. Its separated-parent information notes that most announced system changes are expected from July 2027, while some depend on legislation, so recheck official guidance if you apply after that date.
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