Applications for a child support assessment 277-19061108
This is a Family and Domestic Violence Interaction Point. If the customer is with another person, on speakerphone, or already identified with family and domestic violence concerns, continue with the current business conversation. Otherwise, go to the Family and domestic violence procedure to conduct the risk identification and referral process.
This document explains the processes to follow when an application for a child support assessment is received.
Application for child support assessment
A parent can apply for a child support assessment if they are not living with the child's other parent as their partner on a genuine domestic basis. For information on genuine domestic basis. References has a link to the Child Support guide 2.1.1: Application for assessment, living together.
It is important Child Support understands the customer’s individual circumstances. This helps to provide tailored information and referrals to assist parents manage their child support responsibilities.
Non-parent carer
A non-parent carer can apply for an administrative assessment of child support for a child if they:
- are an eligible carer of the child, and
- are not living with either parent as the partner of that parent on a genuine domestic basis, and
- do not have care jointly with a parent of the child
Non-parent carers must apply for child support against both parents unless:
- one parent is deceased
- one parent is a resident of a non-reciprocating jurisdiction, or
- Child Support is satisfied there are special circumstances
- Make sure the non-parent carer is aware they do not need to apply for child support to receive more than the base rate of FTB, as they are exempt from the maintenance action test
The parents of a child do not need to be separated for a non-parent carer to be an eligible carer. For example, a grandparent may be an eligible non-parent carer even though the parents are still together.
See Application for assessment - non-parent carer for more details.
Options to lodge a child support assessment
There are several ways to lodge an application for assessment:
- Electronically, through:
- myGov, by completing and lodging an online Application for child support assessment form
- Services Australia website
- By telephone
- In writing:
- International customers - International application for an Australian child support assessment form (CS1665)
International customers
International New Customers manage customers who reside overseas with an overseas address for more than 6 months.
For information on referring customers to International New Customers, see Customer Referral Guidelines (CRG) - Child Support.
Incarcerated customers
During the application for assessment process, if a customer is incarcerated the New Customers Team will:
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confirm incarceration. Where no information exists on Cuba, send a prison data request and update the customer’s record.
For more information, see Application for assessment - contact with both parties - issue a UQ48.00 – Pre-registration letter for incarcerated customers letter for incarcerated customers that includes a response date of 14 days
The Incarcerated Team will manage and document calls where an incarcerated customer responds to the pre-registration letter.
Application for assessment not to proceed
An application for assessment may not proceed for various reasons including:
- the applicant elects to withdraw the application
- the customer submitted an application for assessment, when they were advising of a change in circumstances on an active case
- application has commenced on a duplicate customer
If an application is received and not to proceed, see Application for assessment - record a decision and finalise.
Customer contact
If the customer:
- requires an interpreter, advise Child Support can connect to an interpreter. See Interpreter Services
- is hearing or speech impaired, see Using the National Relay Service (NRS)
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has a representative, see Child Support representative with ordinary authority for information on what action should be taken and what the representative can do on the parent or carers behalf.
If the person who will be the other party in the new application is listed as a representative: - discuss this with the customer
- if unable to discuss, remove the other party as a representative until this has been discussed with the customer
Note: a representative cannot complete an application for assessment, unless they have power of attorney.
Roles and responsibilities
New Customers Service Officer
Responsibilities include:
- creating customer records
- conducting pre-registration interviews
- providing information, products and referrals
- making decisions on eligibility, income and care
- establishing payment methods
- processing a customer’s application for child support assessment
- resolving/actioning customer enquiries to achieve sustainable outcome
Mail Handling Team Service Officer
Responsibilities include:
- creating customer profiles for applications received
- capturing application details for paper applications and recording them on the customer's record
- creating an Application Received intray
Service Support Officer (SSO)
Responsibilities include:
- providing advice regarding complex issues
- assisting Service Officers
The Resources page contains links to forms, templates and websites.
Contents
Application for assessment - phone
Application for assessment - contact with both parties
Application for assessment - record a decision and finalise
Eligibility and presumption of parentage (PoP) for a child support assessment
Application for assessment - search for and create a customer record
Add a child or relevant dependent child to an application for assessment
Unlink a record from an application
Application for assessment - non- parent carer
Related links
Change in child support care levels
Child support estimates (Post 1 July 2010)
Contact with Child Support customers
Correcting errors on Child Support cases
Customer Management Approach (CMA) for Child Support
Documenting Child Support information
Ending a Child Support assessment
Income processing for Child Support customers
Letters for Child Support customers
Application for assessment - non-parent carer
Payment options in Child Support
Access and troubleshooting Child Support self service
Using Child Support self service
Registration of overseas maintenance liabilities (excluding NZ)
Suspension of Child Support Liability on reconciliation
Applying a Special Recovery Condition in Pluto and Cuba
Documentation in Pluto and Cuba