When relationships end, your children's wellbeing remains the priority. Child support is the financial contribution parents make to cover their children's everyday costs - from education and healthcare to housing and activities. In Australia, this support continues until children turn 18 or complete their secondary education.

Most Australian parents arrange child support through Services Australia's Child Support Program. The amount is calculated using a formula that considers each parent's income, the number of children, how much time children spend with each parent, and the children's ages. This formula aims to ensure children maintain a similar standard of living to what they would have experienced if their parents stayed together.

Some parents choose to make private arrangements outside or in addition to the government’s assessment, creating flexibility that works for their unique situation. However, these agreements must still meet your children's needs and be approved and registered with Services Australia.  It is prudent to have these agreements formalised to provide legal certainty.

Child support can become complicated quickly. Perhaps your ex-partner is self-employed and you're unsure their income is being accurately reported. Maybe your circumstances have changed significantly - you've lost your job, had children to a new partner, or your child has developed special needs requiring additional support. Sometimes parents disagree about care arrangements, which directly impacts support calculations.

This is where experienced legal advice makes all the difference.

We help parents navigate child support with clarity and confidence. Whether you're seeking support, concerned about the amount being requested, are contributing directly to the other parent's living expenses, which may count as additional child support outside of agency channels (non-agency payments) or need to modify an existing arrangement, we provide strategic advice tailored to your situation.

We assist with:

• Understanding your rights and obligations

• Negotiating fair private agreements

• Challenging or defending Child Support Agency assessments

• Applying for changes when circumstances shift

• Resolving disputes with a view to minimising conflict

Our goal is to achieve outcomes that serve your children's best interests while protecting your financial position.

Child support issues don't improve with time - they require timely, informed action. Whether you're just starting the separation process or dealing with an ongoing dispute, we're here to help.

Contact us today for a confidential consultation. Let's discuss how we can support you and your children through this transition.