Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsAct No. 3 of 1988 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 9 July 2008
taking into account amendments up to Act No. 63 of 2008
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 I--Preliminary 1
1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1
2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1
3............ Objects of Act .................................................................................... 1
3A......... Application of the Criminal Code ...................................................... 1
4............ Interpretation ...................................................................................... 2
5............ Extension and application of Act in relation to maintenance of exnuptial children 14
6............ Additional application of Act in relation to maintenance of children of marriages 16
7............ Corresponding State laws ................................................................. 16
8............ Act to bind Crown ............................................................................ 17
9............ External Territories ........................................................................... 17
Part II--Administration 18
10.......... Child Support Registrar .................................................................... 18
11.......... Secretary to have general administration of Act ............................... 18
13.......... Child Support Register ..................................................................... 18
14.......... Annual report ................................................................................... 18
15.......... Delegation ......................................................................................... 19
16.......... Secrecy .............................................................................................. 19
16AA.... Offence of unauthorised use of information ..................................... 25
16A....... Applications, notices, elections to be in the manner specified by the Registrar 26
16B....... Registrar's power to request tax file numbers .................................. 27
16C....... Registrar may require Commissioner to provide information .......... 28
Part III--Registration of maintenance liabilities 29
Division 1--Registrable maintenance liabilities 29
17.......... Liabilities in relation to children that are registrable maintenance liabilities 29
17A....... Liabilities in relation to persons who have paid amounts where no liability to pay because the person is not the parent .......................................................................................................... 29
18.......... Liabilities in relation to parties to marriages that are registrable maintenance liabilities 30
18A....... Liability in relation to registrable overseas maintenance liabilities ... 30
19.......... Exclusion of liabilities by regulation ................................................. 31
Division 2--Registration of maintenance liabilities 32
20.......... Arrangements with States, Northern Territory and Norfolk Island for transfer of liabilities 32
21.......... Arrangements in relation to Territories (other than the Northern Territory or Norfolk Island) for transfer of liabilities .......................................................................................................... 32
22.......... Registrar to register transferred liabilities in Child Support Register 32
23.......... Payer and payee to notify Registrar when registrable maintenance liability arises etc. 32
24.......... Registrar to register liability in Child Support Register on receipt of notification etc. 34
24A....... Registrar to register liability in Child Support Register on making of child support assessment 34
25.......... Application for registration of registrable maintenance liability ...... 35
25A....... Inclusion of certain liabilities in the Child Support Register ............ 37
25B....... Effect of inclusion ............................................................................. 37
25C....... Limitation on inclusion of liabilities in Register ............................... 37
26.......... Particulars of liability to be entered in Child Support Register ........ 38
26A....... Payment period to be entered in Register under paragraph 26(2)(b) if Registrar to collect by deduction from salary or wages ................................................................................................ 40
26B....... Payment period to be entered in Register under paragraph 26(2)(b) if payer makes voluntary payments 41
26C....... Initial period that may be registered under paragraph 26(2)(a) ........ 43
27.......... Single entry in relation to all liabilities with same payer and payee . 45
28.......... Day on which liability first becomes enforceable under Act ............ 45
28A....... Reversal of subsection 23(3) or 24A(2) election--collection of arrears 46
28B....... Conversion of periodic amounts into payment rates in respect of payment periods 49
29.......... Conversion of amounts payable under registrable maintenance liability into daily rates etc. 50
30.......... Effect of registration ......................................................................... 50
30AA.... Rule to avoid dual liabilities .............................................................. 50
30A....... Enforcement of Australian liabilities overseas .................................. 51
31.......... Effect of registration on existing garnishment and attachment of earnings orders 52
32.......... Payer and payee to be given copy of entry in Child Support Register on application 52
Division 3--Variations to entries in Child Support Register 53
33.......... Payee to notify Registrar of court order varying registered maintenance liability etc. 53
34.......... Payee to notify Registrar of happening of affecting event ............... 53
35.......... Payer may apply to Registrar for variation of Child Support Register .. 54
36.......... Registrar to vary Child Support Register on receipt of notification or application 55
37.......... Registrar may vary Child Support Register to give effect to court order etc. 55
37A....... Registrar to vary Child Support Register on amendment of child support assessment 56
37B....... Registered maintenance liability not to be enforced if payer is a low‑income recipient of a social security pension or a social security benefit ....................................................................... 56
38.......... Variation of Register to have enforceable maintenance liability no longer enforced under Act 59
38A....... Election by payee or by payee and payer jointly ............................ 59
38B....... Decision by Registrar based on payment record and other factors .. 60
38C....... Election not to enforce--registered maintenance liability ................ 61
39.......... Application for variation to enable liability to again become enforceable under Act 61
39A....... Reversal of section 38A election or 38B decision--collection of arrears 62
39B....... Amounts not enforceable under this Act during periods when the payee is not the main provider of ongoing daily care for a child .......................................................................................... 65
40.......... Entry wrongly existing in Child Support Register ........................... 67
41.......... Obsolete entries in Child Support Register ...................................... 67
42.......... Correction of clerical errors and other mistakes in Child Support Register 67
42A....... Registrar may vary Child Support Register to change period entered under paragraph 26(2)(b) to reflect pay cycle .......................................................................................................... 68
42B....... Registrar may vary Child Support Register if payer's pay cycle changes 68
Division 4--Notices in respect of registration decisions 70
42C....... Notices must be given to payers and payees in relation to registration decisions 70
42D....... Content of notices in relation to registration decisions for registrable overseas maintenance liabilities 71
Part IV--Collection by deduction from salary or wages 73
Division 1--Employer withholding 73
43.......... General rule of collection by automatic withholding in case of employees 73
44.......... Cases in which employer withholding not applicable ...................... 73
45.......... Notification to be given to employer and employee ........................ 76
46.......... Duty of employer to make deductions from salary or wages .......... 77
47.......... Additional duties of employers ........................................................ 79
48.......... Two or more employers in relation to one employee ...................... 80
49.......... Discharge of payer's liability to Registrar and employer's liability to payer 81
50.......... Payment by trustees of deducted amounts ...................................... 81
Division 2--Penalties 83
51.......... Penalty for late remittance of deductions ......................................... 83
52.......... Penalty for failure etc. to make deductions from salary or wages .... 83
53.......... Penalty in relation to certain unexplained remittances by employers 84
54.......... Remission of certain penalty amounts ............................................. 84
55.......... Reduction of late payment penalty where judgment debt carries interest 85
56.......... Penalty to be alternative to prosecution for certain offences against Part 86
Division 3--Provisions applicable to employers 87
57.......... Employers not to prejudice employees because of registrable maintenance liabilities etc. 87
58.......... Employers not to disclose information etc. ...................................... 87
59.......... Records to be kept and preserved by employers ............................. 87
60.......... Incorrectly keeping records etc. ........................................................ 87
61.......... Access to premises etc. .................................................................... 87
62.......... Public officer of company ................................................................ 87
63.......... Public officer of trust estate ............................................................. 87
Division 4--Miscellaneous 87
64.......... Amounts payable under Part debts due to Commonwealth ............. 87
65.......... Application of amounts paid or credited where 2 or more debts due 87
Division 5--Application of this Part to those engaged under a contract for services 87
65AA.... Application of this Part to those engaged under a contract for services 87
Part IVA--Election available to payers who make voluntary payments of maintenance liabilities 87
65A....... Election under this Part .................................................................... 87
65B....... Registrar to act on election ............................................................... 87
Part V--Payment and recovery of child support debts 87
66.......... When child support debts become payable ...................................... 87
67.......... Penalty for late payment of child support debts ............................. 87
67A....... Due date of certain debts for the purposes of calculating penalty ... 87
68.......... Remission of late payment penalty .................................................. 87
69.......... Reduction of late payment penalty where judgment debt carries interest 87
69A....... Crediting of lump sum payments ..................................................... 87
70.......... Apportionment of payment between payees .................................. 87
71.......... Direct payments to payee ................................................................ 87
71AA.... Registrar may offset child support debts between payer and payee 87
71A....... Payments to third persons by payer ................................................ 87
71B....... Payments not in money .................................................................... 87
71C....... Other payments of up to 30% of child support liability ................. 87
71D....... Registrar may refuse to credit amounts in special circumstances ..... 87
71E........ Notices must be given to payers and payees in relation to registration decisions 87
72.......... Application of certain amounts to debts under this Act .................. 87
72A....... Registrar may collect child support related debts from a third person 87
72AA.... Deductions from social security pensions and benefits ................... 87
72AB.... Deductions from family tax benefit .................................................. 87
72AC.... Deductions from veterans' pensions and allowances ....................... 87
72B....... Person receiving or controlling money of a debtor who is outside Australia 87
72C....... Transaction to defeat maintenance liability ...................................... 87
Part VA--Departure prohibition orders 87
Division 1--Registrar may make departure prohibition orders 87
72D....... Registrar may make departure prohibition orders ............................ 87
72E........ Meaning of child support liability ..................................................... 87
Division 2--Offence provision 87
72F........ Departure from Australia of certain child support debtors prohibited 87
Division 3--Administrative requirements 87
72G....... Notification requirements for departure prohibition orders ............. 87
72H....... Operation of departure prohibition order ......................................... 87
72I......... Revocation and variation of departure prohibition orders ................ 87
72J........ Notification of decisions about revocation and variation ................. 87
Division 4--Departure authorisation certificates 87
72K....... Application for departure authorisation certificate .......................... 87
72L........ When Registrar must issue departure authorisation certificate ........ 87
72M...... Security for person's return to Australia ......................................... 87
72N....... What departure authorisation certificate must authorise .................. 87
72O....... Notification requirements for departure authorisation certificates ... 87
72P........ Notification requirements for substituted days ................................ 87
Division 5--Appeals and review in relation to departure prohibition orders and departure authorisation certificates 87
72Q....... Appeals to courts against making of departure prohibition orders .. 87
72R....... Jurisdiction of courts ........................................................................ 87
72S........ Orders of court on appeal ................................................................. 87
72T....... Applications for review of certain decisions .................................... 87
Division 6--Enforcement 87
72U....... Powers of authorised officers ........................................................... 87
72V....... Privilege against self‑incrimination ................................................... 87
72W...... Certain people must produce authority to depart ............................ 87
Division 7--Definitions etc. 87
72X....... Definitions ........................................................................................ 87
72Y....... Interpretation--departure from Australia for foreign country ......... 87
Part VI--Payments to payees 87
Division 1--Child Support Account 87
73.......... Child Support Account .................................................................... 87
74.......... Credit of amounts to Account .......................................................... 87
75.......... Purposes of the Account .................................................................. 87
Division 2--Payments to payees 87
76.......... Entitlement of payees to be paid collected amounts ........................ 87
77.......... Unremitted deductions made by employers ..................................... 87
78.......... Unexplained remittances from employers ........................................ 87
79.......... Overpayments of payees ................................................................. 87
Division 3--Suspension determinations 87
79A....... Suspension determinations--pending declarations that person should not be assessed in respect of the costs of the child .................................................................................................. 87
79B....... Suspension determinations--pending SSAT and court reviews ...... 87
79C....... Varying particulars after suspension or resumption determination is made 87
Part VII--Internal objection procedures for certain decisions 87
Division 1--Preliminary 87
79D....... Simplified outline .............................................................................. 87
79E........ Object of this Part ............................................................................ 87
Division 2--Decisions against which objections may be lodged 87
80.......... Decisions against which objections may be lodged .......................... 87
Division 3--Time limits on lodging objections 87
81.......... Time limits on lodging objections ..................................................... 87
82.......... Applications for extensions of time ................................................. 87
83.......... Consideration of applications for extensions of time for lodging objections 87
Division 4--Requirements relating to objections 87
84.......... Grounds of objections ...................................................................... 87
85.......... Registrar to serve copies of objections and accompanying documents on other parties [see Note 2] 87
86.......... Other party may oppose or support objection ................................ 87
Division 5--Consideration of objections 87
87.......... Consideration of objections by Registrar ......................................... 87
Part VIIA--SSAT review of certain decisions 87
Division 1--Preliminary 87
87A....... Simplified outline .............................................................................. 87
88.......... SSAT objective ................................................................................. 87
Division 2--Applications for review 87
Subdivision A--Applications for review 87
89.......... Applications for review .................................................................... 87
Subdivision B--Time limit on applications for review 87
90.......... Time limit on applications for review .............................................. 87
91.......... Application for extension of time ..................................................... 87
92.......... Consideration of applications for extension of time for applying for review 87
93.......... Procedures on receiving applications for review not required until review of extension application completed 87
Subdivision C--Application procedures 87
94.......... Application procedures .................................................................... 87
95.......... Procedures on receiving applications for review .............................. 87
96.......... Parties to be given statements about decisions under review ........... 87
97.......... When document is not required to be sent ....................................... 87
98.......... Directions prohibiting or restricting disclosure of documents .......... 87
Subdivision D--Effect of variations of original decisions on applications 87
99.......... Variations of decisions before reviews completed ............................ 87
Subdivision E--Dismissal of applications 87
99A....... Subdivision does not apply in relation to Registrar ......................... 87
100........ Dismissal of an application .............................................................. 87
100A..... Dismissal of an application on request of party .............................. 87
Division 3--Parties to reviews 87
101........ Parties to reviews ............................................................................. 87
102........ Notice of application to persons affected by decision ..................... 87
Division 3A--Prehearing conferences 87
103........ Pre‑hearing conferences .................................................................... 87
Division 4--Hearings 87
Subdivision A--Arrangements for hearings 87
103A..... Arrangements for hearings ................................................................ 87
Subdivision B--Submissions from parties other than the Registrar 87
103B..... Subdivision does not apply in relation to Registrar ......................... 87
103C..... Submissions ...................................................................................... 87
103D..... Written submissions only ................................................................. 87
103E...... Hearings without oral submissions from a party ............................. 87
Subdivision C--Submissions from the Registrar 87
103F...... Submissions from the Registrar ........................................................ 87
Subdivision D--Other evidence provisions 87
103G..... Evidence on oath or affirmation ........................................................ 87
103H..... Children of parties not to give evidence ........................................... 87
103J...... Provision of further information by Registrar .................................. 87
103K..... Power to obtain information ............................................................. 87
103L...... SSAT may require Registrar to obtain information .......................... 87
Subdivision E--Hearing procedure 87
103M.... Chair for hearings .............................................................................. 87
103N..... Hearing procedure ............................................................................. 87
103P...... Hearing in private ............................................................................. 87
103Q..... Restrictions on disclosure of information obtained at hearing .......... 87
103R..... Adjournment of hearings .................................................................. 87
Division 5--Decisions on review 87
Subdivision A--SSAT review powers 87
103S...... SSAT must affirm, vary or set aside decisions ................................. 87
103T..... Powers of the SSAT for purposes of reviews .................................. 87
103U..... Decision of questions before SSAT .................................................. 87
103V..... Date of effect of SSAT decisions ..................................................... 87
103VA.. Appeal to AAT on decisions relating to percentages of care ........... 87
Subdivision B--Consent orders 87
103W.... Powers of SSAT if parties reach agreement ..................................... 87
Subdivision C--Notification and publication of decisions 87
103X..... Procedure following SSAT decision ................................................. 87
103Y..... Correction of errors in decisions or statements of reasons ............... 87
Subdivision D--Costs 87
103Z..... Costs of review ................................................................................. 87
Division 6--Other provisions 87
103ZA.. Directions as to procedure for reviews ............................................. 87
Part VIII--Court review of certain decisions 87
Division 1--Preliminary 87
103ZB... Simplified outline .............................................................................. 87
Division 2--Jurisdiction of courts 87
103ZC... Simplified outline .............................................................................. 87
104........ Jurisdiction of courts under Act ....................................................... 87
105........ Application of Family Law Act ....................................................... 87
106........ Appellate jurisdiction of Family Court under Act ........................... 87
107........ Appeals to Family Court from courts other than the Federal Magistrates Court and the Magistrates Court of Western Australia ........................................................................................... 87
107A..... Appeals to Family Court from the Federal Magistrates Court and the Magistrates Court of Western Australia 87
108........ Cases stated ...................................................................................... 87
109........ Appeals to High Court ..................................................................... 87
110........ Appeals from courts of summary jurisdiction ................................. 87
Division 3--Appeals and references of questions of law from SSAT to courts 87
Subdivision A--Preliminary 87
110A..... Simplified outline .............................................................................. 87
Subdivision B--Appeals from decisions of SSAT 87
110B..... Appeals from decisions of SSAT ..................................................... 87
110C..... Time limits for instituting appeals ................................................... 87
110D..... Parties to appeals ............................................................................. 87
110E...... Constitution of courts ...................................................................... 87
110F...... Powers of courts ............................................................................... 87
110G..... Courts may make findings of fact ..................................................... 87
Subdivision C--References of questions of law from SSAT 87
110H..... Reference of questions of law to courts ........................................... 87
110J...... Constitution of courts ...................................................................... 87
Subdivision D--Other provisions 87
110K..... Sending of documents to, and disclosure of documents by, the court 87
Part VIIIA--Other provisions relating to reviews of decisions 87
Division 1A--Preliminary 87
110N..... Simplified outline .............................................................................. 87
Division 1--Effect of pending reconsiderations on assessments, registrations etc. 87
Subdivision A--Preliminary 87
110P...... Scope of Division ............................................................................. 87
110Q..... Meaning of reconsideration .............................................................. 87
Subdivision B--Effect of pending reconsiderations 87
110R..... Pending reconsiderations do not affect operation of decisions ......... 87
110S...... Pending reconsiderations not to affect registrations etc. .................. 87
110T..... Pending reconsiderations do not affect assessments ........................ 87
110U..... Pending reconsiderations do not affect decisions under section 64A of the Assessment Act 87
Division 2--Implementation of decisions 87
110V..... Registrar must implement decisions ................................................. 87
Division 3--Determining when decisions become final 87
110W.... Determining when decisions become final ........................................ 87
Division 4--Restrictions on publication of review proceedings 87
110X..... Restrictions on publication of review proceedings ........................... 87
Part VIIIB--Other provisions relating to courts 87
111A..... Simplified outline .............................................................................. 87
111B..... General powers of court ................................................................... 87
111C..... Stay orders ........................................................................................ 87
111CA.. Frivolous or vexatious proceedings .................................................. 87
111D..... Copies of orders to be forwarded to Registrar ................................. 87
111E...... Registrar may intervene in proceedings ............................................ 87
111F...... Court order for payment in proceedings instituted by payee to recover debt 87
111G..... Costs in proceedings instituted by payee to recover debt ............... 87
111H..... Cessation of orders under Act .......................................................... 87
Part IX--Miscellaneous 87
111........ Duties of payers and payees ............................................................ 87
112........ Copies of maintenance orders and agreements to be forwarded to Registrar 87
113........ Recovery of debts etc. ...................................................................... 87
113A..... Recovery of debts by payees ........................................................... 87
114........ Application of payments ................................................................. 87
115........ Substituted service ............................................................................ 87
116........ Evidence ............................................................................................ 87
117........ Appearance by Registrar etc. ........................................................... 87
118........ Judicial notice of signature ................................................................ 87
119........ False or misleading statements ......................................................... 87
120........ Obtaining of information and evidence ............................................. 87
121........ Order to comply with requirement ................................................... 87
121A..... Obtaining of information and evidence in relation to residents of reciprocating jurisdictions 87
121B..... Giving information to overseas authorities ....................................... 87
121C..... Regulations may prescribe manner of giving notices or other communications 87
122........ Right of contribution ........................................................................ 87
124........ Application of Act to overseas orders and agreements .................... 87
124A..... Regulations in relation to overseas‑related maintenance obligations etc. 87
125........ Regulations ....................................................................................... 87
Notes 87
Notes to
the
Child Support (Registration and
Collection) Act 1988 Note 1 The Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 as
shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 3, 1988 amended as indicated
in the Tables below. For application, saving or transitional provisions made by the
Corporations (Repeals, Consequentials and Transitionals) Act 2001, see
Act No. 55, 2001. For all other relevant information pertaining to application,
saving or transitional provisions see Table A. Table of Acts
|
Act |
Number |
Date |
Date of commencement |
Application, saving or transitional provisions |
||
|
3, 1988 |
9 Mar 1988 |
1 June 1988 (see Gazette 1988, No. S148) |
|
|||
|
132, 1988 |
22 Dec 1988 |
22 Dec 1988 |
-- |
|||
|
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 |
-- |
|||
|
Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 3) 1991 |
216, 1991 |
24 Dec 1991 |
Part 2 (ss. 3, 4) and s. 88: Royal Assent (b) |
-- |
||
|
13, 1992 |
6 Apr 1992 |
6 Apr 1992 |
-- |
|||
|
151, 1992 |
11 Dec 1992 |
Ss. 6, 7, 10, 11 and 14--20: 1 July 1993 |
-- |
|||
|
210, 1992 |
24 Dec 1992 |
-- |
||||
|
32, 1993 |
16 June 1993 |
Ss. 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and Part 5 (ss. 29, 30): 1 June 1993 |
-- |
|||
|
39, 1995 |
29 May 1995 |
S. 22: (d) |
-- |
|||
|
140, 1995 |
12 Dec 1995 |
Schedule 1 (Part 3): 11 June 1996 (see Gazette 1996, No. GN5) (e) |
-- |
|||
|
170, 1995 |
16 Dec 1995 |
Schedule 2 (items 58, 64): Royal Assent (f) |
Sch. 2 (item 64) |
|||
|
Commonwealth Services Delivery Agency (Consequential Amendments) Act 1997 |
29, 1997 |
17 Apr 1997 |
1 July 1997 (see s. 2) |
-- |
||
|
84, 1997 |
23 June 1997 |
Schedule 1 (items 29--39): 21 July 1997 (g) |
-- |
|||
|
152, 1997 |
24 Oct 1997 |
Schedule 2 (items |
-- |
|||
|
47, 1998 |
||||||