The new formula for assessing child support is based on recommendations made by the Ministerial Taskforce on Child Support which identified a new set of principles for a modern Australian child support formula. This change re-balanced the share of responsibilities between resident parents, non-resident parents and the taxpayer in light of current economic and social conditions as well as community attitudes, with the result that almost all parents in the child support system have had their payments change in some way.
Because of the magnitude of change, the new system will take some time to settle. While many parents responded positively to the CSA’s call to update their income and care details in readiness for the calculation and issuing of the new assessments, it is highly likely that parents will continue to advise CSA of their correct details over the next few months. Change on this scale is also likely to produce behavioural changes as parents adjust to their new circumstances. The changes will continue to be monitored over time.
More details about these changes can be found in other fact sheets and on the
Child Support Agency website (www.csa.gov.au)
More information on the Taskforce and how the reforms started is available on the
FaHCSIA website under
Ministerial Taskforce on Child Support.
More information on Compliance is available on the Child Support Agency website (www.csa.gov.au)