Here's what to expect if you pay or receive child support under a voluntary agreement or formula assessment.
The first payment
Once we accept a child support application or agreement, we send notices to each parent or carer showing who should pay and how much.
The paying (liable) parent has 30 days to make the first monthly payment. Once we receive it, we'll pass it on promptly to the receiving carer.
In some cases, the paying parent's employer will deduct payments from their wages. Read about how to make payments as a paying parent.
Ongoing payments
Monthly payments are due to us by the 20th of the following month. If we're paid on time, we pass these on to the receiving carer on the 23rd of each month.
For example, April payments are due to us on 20 May, and due to the receiving carer on 23 May.
Missed or overdue payments
We can only pay the receiving carer what the paying parent has paid us. If we are paid late or the payment is not made in full, the receiving carer will also be paid late or not in full.
Missed payments need to be caught up as soon as possible. Find out what to do if you're behind with payments, whether paying or receiving.
Overdue payments for paying parents
Missed payments for receiving carers
Changes to payments
If child support is reassessed, the paying parent gets 30 days to pay from the date we send the reassessment letter.
Read about different reasons why your payments might change unexpectedly, and when you need to tell us about changes to your own circumstances.
Why child support payments may change
Changes to family, job and income