Suspending disbursements of child support 277-05080000

A person may apply to a court having jurisdiction under the Child Support Assessment Act for a declaration that the person should not be assessed in respect of the costs of the child. This is an s107 declaration. If a person applies for an s107 declaration, payments to the payee for that child must be suspended until the court makes a decision.

See Section 107 and Section 143 orders for Child Support customers for more information.

A person who disputes (objection, Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) review or court application) the validity of a child support assessment on grounds other than parentage can apply to Child Support to suspend disbursements to the payee. Child Support is not legally required to suspend disbursements. However, an application for suspension will be accepted unless doing so will cause financial hardship to the payee and children.

After the dispute process is finalised, Child Support must either resume payments to the payee (if the application is not successful) or negotiate a refund of suspended disbursements to the payer.

Objections Officer / ART officer / Service Officer

• Obtaining all relevant information
• Making a recommendation as to whether disbursements should be suspended, and
• Advising customers of the outcome and their rights

Service Officer 5 (SO5) or above (Service Support Officer or otherwise)

• Supporting Service Officer throughout process where required making final decision as to whether disbursements should be suspended
• Actioning suspension on Cuba, and
• Actioning resumption determination on Cuba