Child support is the financial support paid by parents to help with the costs of a child aged under 18.
The law says that both parents have a duty to support their children financially, whether they are biological (birth) or adoptive parents, same-sex or otherwise.
Find out how you can get Other support for parenting arrangements, child contact and child support.
The Child Support Scheme is managed by Services Australia (Child Support), a Commonwealth Government agency. For more information about the child support scheme, go to the Parent’s guide to child support. If you look after the children but are not their parent, you may be able to apply to Services Australia to receive child support from one or both parents.
Contact the Services Australia Child Support enquiry line (131 272) if you have questions about child support.
If your child is 18 or over and they are studying or have a disability they may be able to get adult child maintenance.
Family violence and child support
Financial or economic abuse is a form of family violence. This can happen when a parent:
- avoids paying child support
- provides false information about their income
- misuses the child support procedures and legal processes.
Read more information about child support fraud, or report it by calling the Services Australia Fraud Tip-Off Line on 131 524.
Explore our publications and resources
Explore our related pages
You can contact our child support service by visiting Enquire about a child support appointment.
- Child support agreements
- Child support assessment
- Child support payments
- Divorce, separation and marriage annulment
- Family Tax Benefit and child support
- Disagree with a child support decision
- Adult child maintenance for over-18s
- Proving who the other parent is
- Childbirth expenses
- Other support for parenting arrangements, child contact and child support:
Support from other websites
- Contact Child Support at Services Australia: if you have questions about child support.
Updated