Departure prohibition orders (DPO) for Child Support customers 277-04130000

A DPO prevents a child support debtor (payer) from leaving Australia. If a payer attempts to leave Australia when a DPO is in force they will be physically stopped at the point of departure by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

A DPO places significant restrictions on the normal liberties of citizens, residents and visitors to Australia, and will only be made after serious consideration of all relevant circumstances.

This document outlines the duties and responsibilities of Service Officers, Intensive Collection Services Referral Officers, DPO specialists and the delegated decision makers to:

• issue a DPO
• activate and/or retain a DPO
• issue a departure authorisation certificate (DAC)
• revoke a DPO

For more information about actions to deal with DPO customers and cases, see the Customer Referral Guidelines (CRG) - Child Support > Departure prohibition order (DPO).

Service Officer

• make a DPO referral

Intensive Collection Services Gateway Service Officer

• scrutinise DPO referrals from Service Officers, and
• forward appropriate referrals to DPO teams

DPO Service Officer

• consider all administrative enforcement options, including whether a DPO is appropriate
• prepare submissions recommending a DPO be issued, varied or revoked for approval by the delegate
• prepare submissions recommending a DAC be issued for approval by the delegate, and
• case management including customer contact

DPO Team Leader

• provide advice regarding complex issues and assist Service Officers
• scrutinise and provide feedback on DPO submissions, and
• forward DPO submissions to the delegate

DPO Contact Officer

• contact for the Australian Federal Police. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week

Delegated Officer

• authorise the issue of DPOs and DACs and revoke DPOs