Child Support

Topics

• AFRC bibliography Child support.
• The Guide  sets out CSA's law and policy guide and view of the child support scheme and its administration.
• Update To The Population Impact Of The New Child Support Formula, FaHCSIA (2009). This updated analysis details changes over the first six months’ operation of the new child support formula
• It's not just about the money: Non-resident father's perceptions of paying child support (2008), Belinda Hewitt and Kristin Natalier. This research presented at the AIFS Conference 2008 advocates the importance of acknowledging the symbolic dimensions of fatherhood and money into policy reforms aimed at changing non-residential parents child support behaviours. Source: Australian Policy Online.
• Report on stage three changes to the Child Support Scheme (2008), FaHCSIA. This report outlines the population-level impact of changes to the Child Support Scheme that took effect on 1 July 2008, based on the combined outcome of the child support and Family Tax Benefit changes. Source: Australian Policy Online.
• Child support can help to secure housing for resident parents and their children after relationship breakdown (2008), Natalier et. al, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. This research finds that in the context of poor housing outcomes there are differences for separated and divorced parents generally when compared to parents who lived together, which relate to the payment and receipt of child support. Source: Australian Policy Online.
• Home to School transitions for financially disadvantaged children, by Diana Smart, Ann Sanson, Jennifer Baxter, Ben Edwards and Alan Hayes/Australian Institute of Family Studies and the Smith Family.  The Study examined factors from Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, impacting on the school readiness and early school progress of Australian children, particularly those living in financial disadvantage and clear links were found between family financial disadvantage and children’s later academic achievement.  

CSA Customer Resources

• A My family is separating - what now? is a website available to help families experiencing separation find their way around the Family Law System, better understand their rights and responsibilities and includes information on services available that may help.
• The Parent’s Guide to Child Support is an ongoing reference guide for separated parents. This booklet assists parents to better understand their rights and responsibilities and the services available following separation.  It can be download or a free copy can be ordered from the CSA website www.csa.gov.au. Translated publications are also available.
• Child Support Scheme reforms on the CSA website. The website also includes a Child Support – Family Assistance estimator to estimate what child support or family assistance payments might be. 
• CSA Customer Resources are listed in the FRSA Resource Directory.
• CSA has developed prisoner information kits which outline parents' child support responsibilities and provide helpful advice. For parents leaving prison, the CSA offers useful resources including the online Community Service Directory, which can direct them to local community services that can help with financial, emotional or other issues. Information kits and other resources can be ordered from the CSA website at www.csa.gov.au/fact/.
• CSAonline is a secure online service where parents can view and update their child support information.
• The Child Support Agency (CSA) has launched a website for Indigenous separated parents.  The site provides information about child support, includes a step-by-step guide to register a child support case, and provides links to support products and services and a list of upcoming regional and community visits by CSA staff.  
• The Child Support Agency offers a variety of publications in languages other than English. Please visit CSA to view or to order translated publications.
• The Child Support Agency recently updated their website to increase awareness of the CSA’s services and improve access to their online tools. Additionally, CSA have confirmed the details of approximately 2000 community service organisations listed in their Community Services Directory that provide free or low cost support services across each state and territory. The website offers more information about child support, including self-help tools, worksheets, examples and publications.

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