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Recovering a Child Support debt from a Family Tax Benefit (FTB) 277-04200000

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This document outlines the process where, due to the lack of other recovery options, Child Support can recover certain types of debts from a customer’s Family Tax Benefits (FTB). Recovery may only be by deduction from ongoing fortnightly FTB entitlements.

Stay orders and collection from FTB

Stay orders made after 1 January 2007, under section 140 (Assessment Act) and section 111C (Registration and Collection Act) will need to be checked to ascertain what aspects of the legislation need to be stayed and if there is any impact on collecting via FTB deductions.

See the References page for links to legislation.

Limitations on collection from FTB

FTB deductions can only be used to collect child support arrears or an overpayment for an FTB eligible child. FTB deductions are not available to collect from customers liable to pay to more than 1 customer. Deductions cannot be made from lump sum payments of FTB.

FTB deductions cannot be used to collect a child support debt associated with an overseas maintenance liability, including a New Zealand liability.

Roles and responsibilities

Centrelink Liaison Officer (CLO):

  • the Child Support officer responsible for direct communication with Centrelink's Child Support Unit (CSU)

Service Support Officer:

  • provides advice in the event of complex issues, or when a Service Officer requires assistance. This could be a Service Support Officer or a Program Support Manager

The Resources page contains examples, frequently asked questions and links to contact details.

Debt repayment

Documenting Child Support information

Section 120/161 notice Cuba Process Help

Centrelink Deductions Window Help

Client Benefits Window Help

External Information Window Help

Issue Centrelink Notice Window Help

Customer Window Help