Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsAct No. 124 of 1989 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 1 January 2008
incorporating amendments up to Act No. 82 of 2007
The text of any of those
amendments not in force
on that date is appended in the Notes section
The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may
be
affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section
Prepared by the Office of
Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney‑General's Department,
Canberra
Contents
Part 1--Preliminary 1
1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1
2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1
3............ Duty of parents to maintain their children ......................................... 1
4............ Objects of Act .................................................................................... 2
4A......... Application of the Criminal Code ...................................................... 2
5............ Interpretation--definitions ................................................................. 3
6............ Interpretation--expressions used in Registration and Collection Act 9
7............ Interpretation--expressions used in Part VII of Family Law Act ..... 9
7A......... Meaning of child support period ........................................................ 9
7B......... Meaning of eligible carer .................................................................. 11
8............ Interpretation--shared ongoing daily care and major and substantial care 12
8A......... Interpretation--modification of meaning of care if court order etc. contravened 13
9............ Interpretation--meaning of separated .............................................. 15
10.......... Interpretation--meaning of resident of Australia ............................. 15
12.......... Interpretation--happening of child support terminating events ...... 15
13.......... Extension and application of Act in relation to maintenance of exnuptial children 18
14.......... Additional application of Act in relation to maintenance of children of marriages 19
15.......... Corresponding State laws ................................................................. 20
16.......... Act to bind Crown ............................................................................ 20
Part 2--Counselling 21
17.......... Court counselling facilities to be made available ............................... 21
Part 3--Children who may be covered by Act 22
18.......... Act applies only in relation to eligible children ................................ 22
19.......... Children born on or after commencing day are eligible children ....... 22
20.......... Children of parents who separate on or after commencing day are eligible children 22
21.......... Children with a brother or sister who is an eligible child are eligible children 22
22.......... Exclusion of certain children from coverage of Act .......................... 23
Part 4--Applications to Registrar for administrative assessment of child support 24
Division 1--Application requirements 24
23.......... Application requirements generally .................................................. 24
24.......... Children in relation to whom applications may be made ................. 24
25.......... Persons who may apply--eligible carers ......................................... 25
25A....... Persons who may apply--parents other than eligible carers ........... 26
26.......... Requirements of application where there are joint carers ................. 27
26A....... Requirements of application if child is cared for under child welfare law 27
27.......... Application for administrative assessment ...................................... 28
28.......... Application for child support for 2 or more children made in same form etc. 28
Division 2--Decision on application 29
29.......... How decision is to be made .............................................................. 29
30.......... Decision on application .................................................................... 30
30A....... No administrative assessment or acceptance of agreement if contrary to international maintenance arrangement 30
30B....... Registrar may refuse application for administrative assessment if overseas liability already registered 31
31.......... Liability to pay child support arises on acceptance of application etc. 31
32.......... Withdrawal of application by applicant ........................................... 32
Division 3--Notice of decision 34
33.......... Notice to be given to unsuccessful applicant ................................... 34
34.......... Giving notice of successful application ............................................ 35
Part 4A--Assessments of child support for later child support periods 37
34A....... Registrar must make assessment when new taxable income figure is available 37
34B....... Administrative assessment for child support period started by new agreement when support already payable 38
34C....... Administrative assessments for child support periods not started by application or new agreement 39
Part 5--Administrative assessment of child support 40
Division 1--The basic formula 40
35.......... Application of basic formula to determine annual rate of child support 40
36.......... The basic formula ............................................................................. 40
37.......... Liable parent's child support percentage ......................................... 41
38.......... Liable parent's child support income amount .................................. 41
38A....... Liable parent's supplementary amount ............................................ 41
39.......... Liable parent's exempted income amount ........................................ 42
Division 2--Modifications of the basic formula for certain cases 45
Subdivision A--General 45
40.......... Division subject to departure orders and child support agreements 45
Subdivision C--Liable parents with high child support income 45
42.......... Cap on child support if child support income amount exceeds 2.5 times yearly equivalent of EAWE amount 45
Subdivision D--Carer parents with child support income of more than disregarded income amount 45
43.......... Cases in relation to which Subdivision applies ................................ 45
44.......... Reduction of child support if carer's child support income amount exceeds carer's disregarded income amount 46
45.......... Carer's child support income amount .............................................. 46
45A....... Entitled carer's supplementary amount ........................................... 46
46.......... Carer's disregarded income amount .................................................. 47
Subdivision E--Children shared or divided between parents 47
47.......... Cases in relation to which Subdivision applies ................................ 47
48.......... Application of the basic formula etc. ............................................... 48
49.......... Offsetting of child support liabilities ............................................... 50
Subdivision F--Children with 2 liable parents 50
50.......... Cases in relation to which Subdivision applies ................................ 50
51.......... Application of the basic formula etc. ............................................... 50
52.......... Cap on combined child support liabilities of 2 liable parents .......... 51
Subdivision G--Liable parents with 2 or more carers entitled to child support 51
53.......... Cases in relation to which Subdivision applies ................................ 51
54.......... Application of the basic formula etc. ............................................... 52
Subdivision H--Parents whose care is modified by effect of court order/parenting plan 57
54A....... Cases in relation to which Subdivision applies ................................ 57
54B....... Application of basic formula etc. ..................................................... 58
Division 3--Child support income amount 60
Subdivision A--Child support income amount determined by reference to taxable income for last relevant year of income 60
56.......... Taxable income assessed under Income Tax Assessment Act to be taxable income for child support purposes 60
57.......... Taxable income for child support purposes where taxable income determined to be nil under Income Tax Assessment Act etc. ............................................................................................. 62
58.......... Taxable income or supplementary amount not readily ascertainable 65
Subdivision AA--Overseas income 67
58A....... Inclusion of overseas income in working out a person's child support income amount 67
58B....... Determination of overseas income if information and documents in Registrar's possession are sufficient 67
58C....... Determination of overseas income if information and documents in Registrar's possession are insufficient 67
Subdivision B--Child support income amount determined by reference to estimate of taxable income and supplementary amount for rest of current child support period 68
59.......... Interpretation .................................................................................... 68
60.......... Choosing child support income amount for remainder of child support period 69
60A....... Registrar may refuse to accept election ............................................ 71
60B....... Notice to be given if Registrar refuses to accept election ................. 72
61.......... Effect of election ............................................................................... 72
62.......... Revocation of election ...................................................................... 73
63.......... Effect of revocation .......................................................................... 73
63A....... Amendment of assessment based on election if event affecting accuracy of estimate occurs 74
63B....... Amendment of assessment based on election if Registrar asks for information supporting estimate 75
64.......... Reconciliation of estimated and actual taxable income and supplementary amount after end of child support period .......................................................................................................... 76
64A....... Penalty for underestimating taxable income and supplementary amount 77
Division 4--Provisions relating to the making of assessments 80
65.......... How assessment is to be made ......................................................... 80
66.......... Minimum annual rate of child support ............................................. 80
66A....... Registrar may reduce an assessment to nil in certain cases .............. 82
66B....... Section 66 does not apply in certain cases ....................................... 82
66C....... Notice to be given to unsuccessful applicant ................................... 83
67.......... Assessment to relate to all children for whom child support payable by liable parent 83
68.......... Assessment to relate to whole or part of single child support period 84
69.......... Conversion of annual rates into daily rates of payment ................... 84
70.......... Evidence relating to assessments ...................................................... 84
71.......... Assessment for part of a child support period ................................ 85
72.......... Validity of assessments .................................................................... 85
73.......... Assumptions as to future events ...................................................... 85
74.......... Registrar to give effect to happening of child support terminating events etc. 85
74A....... Date of effect of change in care ......................................................... 86
75.......... Amendment of assessments ............................................................. 86
76.......... Notice of assessment to be given to liable parent etc. ...................... 88
Division 5--Liability to pay child support as assessed 91
77.......... Effect of assessment ......................................................................... 91
78.......... When amounts of child support due and payable ............................ 91
79.......... Recovery of amounts of child support ............................................. 91
Part 6--Consent arrangements 92
Division 1--Introduction 92
80.......... Cases in relation to which Part applies ............................................ 92
Division 2--Child support agreement requirements 93
81.......... Child support agreement requirements generally ............................. 93
82.......... Children in relation to whom agreements may be made ................... 93
83.......... Persons who may be parties to agreements ...................................... 93
84.......... Matters in relation to which agreements may make provision ......... 94
85.......... Formal requirements for agreements ................................................. 96
87.......... Agreement may be made in relation to 2 or more children etc. ......... 96
Division 3--Applications to Registrar for acceptance of child support agreements 97
88.......... Application requirements generally .................................................. 97
89.......... Formal requirement for applications ................................................ 97
90.......... Application for 2 or more separate agreements may be made in same form 97
Division 4--Decisions on applications 98
91.......... How decision is to be made .............................................................. 98
91A....... Procedure where payee is in receipt of, or a claimant for, family tax benefit 98
92.......... Decision on application .................................................................... 99
93.......... Liability to pay child support arises on acceptance of application where child support not already payable etc. ........................................................................................................ 100
94.......... Registrar to take action to give effect to accepted child support agreement where child support already payable ........................................................................................................ 102
95.......... Effect of certain provisions of accepted child support agreements 102
Division 5--Notice of the decision 105
96.......... Notice of decision to be given ......................................................... 105
Division 6--Variation of child support agreements 106
97.......... Child support agreement may be varied by subsequent agreement 106
98.......... Variation etc. of provisions of child support agreement by court order 106
Part 6A--Departure from administrative assessment of child support (departure determinations) 107
Division 1--Preliminary 107
98A....... Simplified outline ............................................................................ 107
Division 2--Departures initiated by a liable parent or carer 108
98B....... Application for determination under Part ...................................... 108
98C....... Matters as to which Registrar must be satisfied before making determination 108
98D....... Formal requirements for application .............................................. 109
98E........ Registrar may refuse to make determination because issues too complex 109
98F........ Application disclosing no grounds etc. for making determination--how dealt with 109
98G....... Other party to be notified .............................................................. 110
98H....... Procedure for dealing with application ........................................... 110
98J........ Subsequent applications ................................................................. 111
98JA..... Notice of refusal to be served on parties ........................................ 112
Division 3--Departures initiated by the Registrar 113
98K....... Registrar may initiate a determination under this Part ................... 113
98L........ Matters as to which Registrar must be satisfied before making determination 113
98M...... Parties to be notified ....................................................................... 114
98N....... Replies ............................................................................................ 114
98P........ Parties may jointly elect that Registrar discontinue proceedings ... 114
98Q....... Procedure ........................................................................................ 115
98R....... Registrar may refuse to make determination because issues too complex 116
98RA.... Notice of refusal to be served on parties ........................................ 116
Division 4--Determinations that may be made under this Part 117
98S........ Determinations that may be made under Part ................................ 117
98SA..... Variation not to be below minimum annual rate of child support .. 118
Division 5--Child support agreements 120
98T....... Parties may enter into child support agreement ............................. 120
98U....... Decision on child support agreement ............................................. 120
Division 6--Pending applications 122
98V....... Pending application not to affect assessment ................................. 122
Part 7--Court review of certain decisions 123
Division 1A--Preliminary 123
98W...... Simplified outline ............................................................................ 123
Division 1--Jurisdiction of courts 124
98X....... Simplified outline ............................................................................ 124
99.......... Jurisdiction of courts under Act ..................................................... 124
100........ Application of Family Law Act ..................................................... 125
101........ Appellate jurisdiction of Family Court under Act ......................... 126
102........ Appeals to Full Court of Family Court from courts other than the Federal Magistrates Court and the Magistrates Court of Western Australia ............................................................ 126
102A..... Appeals to Family Court from the Federal Magistrates Court and the Magistrates Court of Western Australia 128
103........ Cases stated .................................................................................... 130
104........ Appeals to High Court ................................................................... 131
105........ Appeals from courts of summary jurisdiction ............................... 132
Division 2--Entitlement to administrative assessment 134
106........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 134
106A..... Declaration that a person is entitled to administrative assessment--carer applications 134
106B..... Declaration that a person is entitled to administrative assessment--liable parent applications 136
107........ Declaration that a person is not entitled to administrative assessment--carer applications 137
107A..... Declaration that a person is not entitled to administrative assessment--liable parent applications 138
108........ Implementation of decisions ........................................................... 139
109........ Pending application not to affect assessment ................................. 139
Division 3--Application for amendment of administrative assessment that is more than 18 months old 140
110........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 140
111........ Application for amendment of administrative assessment that is more than 18 months old 140
112........ Court may grant leave to amend administrative assessment that is more than 18 months old 141
113........ Implementation of decisions ........................................................... 142
113A..... Pending application not to affect assessment ................................. 143
Division 4--Orders for departure from administrative assessment in special circumstances (departure orders) 144
113B..... Simplified outline ............................................................................ 144
114........ Additional particular objects of Division ....................................... 144
116........ Application for order under Division ............................................. 144
117........ Matters as to which court must be satisfied before making order .. 146
117A..... Provisions relating to income earned for the benefit of resident children 152
118........ Orders that may be made under Division ....................................... 153
119........ Implementation of orders ............................................................... 154
120........ Pending proceeding not to affect assessment ................................. 155
Division 5--Orders for provision of child support otherwise than in form of periodic amounts paid to carer 156
121........ Additional particular objects of Division ....................................... 156
122........ Cases in relation to which Division applies ................................... 156
123........ Application for order under Division ............................................. 156
124........ Orders for provision of child support otherwise than in form of periodic amounts paid to carer entitled to child support ........................................................................................... 157
125........ Court to state relationship between order and assessed child support 158
126........ Court to give reasons for order ....................................................... 159
127........ Effect of orders on administrative assessment of child support .... 160
128........ Pensioners entitled to apply to have assessed child support not reduced by more than 25% 160
129........ Modification of orders under Division ........................................... 162
130........ Court to give reasons for modifications .......................................... 164
131........ Court may make orders consequential upon the discharge of orders etc. 164
Division 6--Setting aside accepted child support agreements 166
135........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 166
136........ Power of court to set aside agreements .......................................... 166
137........ Court may make orders consequential on setting aside of agreement 166
138........ Implementation of decisions ........................................................... 167
Division 7--Urgent maintenance orders 168
138A..... Simplified outline ............................................................................ 168
139........ Urgent maintenance orders ............................................................. 168
Division 8--Provisions relating to court orders 170
140A..... Simplified outline ............................................................................ 170
141........ General powers of court ................................................................. 170
142........ Cessation of orders under Act ........................................................ 171
143........ Amounts paid where no liability to pay exists etc. ........................ 172
Division 9--Miscellaneous 174
143A..... Simplified outline ............................................................................ 174
143B..... Frivolous or vexatious proceedings ................................................ 174
144........ Determining when decision of a court becomes final ...................... 175
145........ Registrar may intervene in proceedings .......................................... 175
146........ Copies of orders to be forwarded to Registrar ............................... 175
Part 8--Administration 176
147........ Secretary has general administration of Act ................................... 176
148........ Annual report ................................................................................. 176
149........ Delegation ....................................................................................... 176
150........ Secrecy ............................................................................................ 177
150AA.. Offence of unauthorised use of information ................................... 183
150A..... Applications, notices, elections and replies to be in the manner specified by the Registrar 184
150B..... Registrar's power to request tax file numbers ................................ 185
150C..... Effect of failure by person to satisfy request for person's tax file number 185
150D..... Registrar may require Commissioner to provide information ........ 186
150DA.. Registrar's jurisdiction to cease in certain circumstances ............... 186
Part 9--Miscellaneous 187
151........ Election by carer entitled to child support to end administrative assessment 187
151A..... Procedure where person making election is receiving more than the base rate of family tax benefit Part A 188
151B..... Application for assessment/agreement to continue beyond child's 18th birthday 188
151C..... Application for assessment/agreement to continue--Registrar's decision 189
151D..... Application under subsection 151B(1) for assessment/agreement to continue--consequences of acceptance 191
151E...... Applications under subsection 151B(1A) in respect of administrative assessments--consequences of acceptance ........................................................................................................ 192
152........ Court order etc. to cease to have effect where child support becomes payable 193
153........ Evidentiary certificates by Registrar .............................................. 193
154........ Changes in published EAWE figures to be disregarded .................. 194
155........ Publication of EAWE and social security pension figures ............. 194
156........ Rounding of amounts ...................................................................... 194
157........ Appearance by Registrar in proceedings etc. ................................. 195
158........ Judicial notice of signature of Registrar etc. ................................... 195
159........ False or misleading statements ....................................................... 195
159A..... Statements made recklessly etc. ..................................................... 196
159B..... Failure to notify required information ............................................ 197
160........ Notification requirements ............................................................... 198
161........ Obtaining of information and evidence ........................................... 198
162........ Order to comply with requirement ................................................. 199
162A..... Obtaining information in relation to residents of reciprocating jurisdictions 200
162B..... Regulations may prescribe manner of giving notices or other communications 201
163........ Act not a taxation law ..................................................................... 202
163A..... Certain instruments not liable to duty ............................................ 202
163B..... Regulations in relation to overseas‑related maintenance obligations etc. 203
164........ Regulations ..................................................................................... 204
Part 10--Amendments of the Child Support Act 1988 205
Sections 165--188 ........................................................................................... 205
Part 11--Amendments of the Family Law Act 1975 206
Sections 189--195 ........................................................................................... 206
Part 12--Amendments of the Social Security Act 1947 207
Sections 196--198 ........................................................................................... 207
Part 13--Amendment of the Taxation Administration Act 1953 208
Sections 199, 200 ........................................................................................... 208
Notes 209
An Act to make provision for determining the financial support payable by parents for their children, and for other purposes
Notes to
the
Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 Note 1 The Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 as shown in
this compilation comprises Act No. 124, 1989 amended as indicated in the
Tables below. For all relevant information pertaining to application, saving
or transitional provisions see Table A. This Act is affected by Statutory Rules 1999 No. 57 see
Table B. Table of Acts
|
Act |
Number |
Date |
Date of commencement |
Application, saving or transitional provisions |
|
|
124, 1989 |
21 Sept 1989 |
1 Oct 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S314) |
|
||
|
Social Security and Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment Act (No. 3) 1989 |
163, 1989 |
19 Dec 1989 |
-- |
||
|
138, 1990 |
28 Dec 1990 |
28 Dec 1990 |
-- |
||
|
13, 1992 |
6 Apr 1992 |
6 Apr 1992 |
-- |
||
|
151, 1992 |
11 Dec 1992 |
Ss. 6, 7, 10, 11 and 14--20: 1 July 1993 |
-- |
||
|
39, 1995 |
29 May 1995 |
||||
|
Social Security Legislation Amendment (Family Measures) Act 1995 |
106, 1995 |
29 Sept 1995 |
-- |
||
|
140, 1995 |
12 Dec 1995 |
Schedule 1 (Part 2): 11 June 1996 (see Gazette 1996, No. GN5) (d) |
-- |
||
|
43, 1996 |
25 Oct 1996 |
Schedule 2 (items 23--27): (e) |
-- |
||
|
Commonwealth Services Delivery Agency (Consequential Amendments) Act 1997 |
29, 1997 |
17 Apr 1997 |
1 July 1997 |
-- |
|
|
39, 1997 |
17 Apr 1997 |
1 July 1997 |
-- |
||
|
84, 1997 |
23 June 1997 |
Schedule 1 (items 21--25): 23 Dec 1997 |
-- |
||
|
Social Security Legislation Amendment (Parenting and Other Measures) Act 1997 |
197, 1997 |
11 Dec 1997 |
Schedule 1 (items 287--297): 20 Mar 1998 (f) |
-- |
|
|
Social Security and Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Budget and Other Measures) Act 1998 |
93, 1998 |
15 July 1998 |
Schedule 7 (items 2--10): 1 Apr 1998 (g) |
-- |
|
|
120, 1998 |
15 Dec 1998 |
Schedule 1, Schedule 2, Schedule 3 (items 1--9),
Schedule 5, Schedule 6, Schedule 8 (items 1--5), Schedule 9
(items 1--19), Schedule 19 (items 1--17, 20), Schedule 21 and
Schedule 22 (items 1--8): Royal Assent (h) |
Ss. |
||
|
A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Consequential and Related Measures) Act (No. 2) 1999 |
83, 1999 |
8 July 1999 |
Schedule 4 : 1 July 2000 (i) |
-- |
|
|
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999 |
146, 1999 |
11 Nov 1999 |
Schedule 1 (items 285, 286): 5 Dec 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No. S584) (j) |
-- |
|
|
194, 1999 |
23 Dec 1999 |
Schedule 8: 23 Dec 1999 (k) |
-- |
||
|
A New Tax System (Family Assistance and Related Measures) Act 2000 |
45, 2000 |
3 May 2000 |
Schedule 4 (items 2--9), Schedule 5 and Schedule 6: (l) |
Sch. 5 and Sch. 6 |
|
|
49, 2000 |
3 May 2000 |
3 May 2000 |
-- |
||
|
143, 2000 |
29 Nov 2000 |
Schedule 3 (items 1--4, 4A, 4B): 27 Dec 2000 (m) |
-- |
||
|
75, 2001 |
30 June 2001 |
Schedule 3, Schedule 5 (items 1--35), Schedule 7, Schedule
9 and Schedule 10 (items 7--14, |
-- |
||
|
Family and Community Services Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 |
137, 2001 |
1 Oct 2001 |
2 Oct 2001 |
S. 4 |
|
|
Tax Laws Amendment (Improvements to Self Assessment) Act (No. 2) 2005 |
161, 2005 |
19 Dec 2005 |
Schedule 1 (items 60, 61): Royal Assent |
Sch. 1 (item 61) |
|
|
22, 2006 |
6 Apr 2006 |
Schedule 1 (items 1--4): 1 July 2006 (see F2006L01796) |
-- |
||
|
Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006 |
46, 2006 |
22 May 2006 |
Schedule 8 (items 5--39) and Schedule 9 (item 3): 1 July 2006 |
-- |
|
|
as amended by |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8, 2007 |
15 Mar 2007 |
Schedule 2 (items 8, 9): (na) |
-- |
||
|
Child Support Legislation Amendment (Reform of the Child Support Scheme--Initial Measures) Act 2006 |
53, 2006 |
15 June 2006 |
Schedule 1, Schedule 2 (items 1--10, 13),
Schedules 3 and 4: 1 July 2006 |
S. 4, Sch. 1 (item 11), Sch. 2 (item 13),
Sch. 3 (item 18) and Sch. 5 (items |
|
|
as amended by |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8, 2007 |
15 Mar 2007 |
Schedule 2 (item 5): (oa) |
-- |
||
|
Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation (2006 Budget and Other Measures) Act 2006 |
82, 2006 |
30 June 2006 |
Schedule 12 (item 3): (p) |
-- |
|
|
Child Support Legislation Amendment (Reform of the Child Support Scheme--New Formula and Other Measures) Act 2006 |
146, 2006 |
6 Dec 2006 |
Ss. 4--6, Schedule 2 (item 118), Schedule 5
(items 73--77) and Schedule 9: Royal Assent | ||