Applications for a child support assessment 277-19061108

Customer can 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)

For task cards to assist the customer lodging their application, See Child Support digital support products

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 see References Child Support guide 2.1.1 Application for assessment.

Parents can apply for an administrative assessment of child support for a child regardless of the amount of care they provide for their child.

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.

As both parents are assessed in respect of the costs of the child, the roles of payer and payee and the amount of child support payable will depend on:

• the incomes of both parents
• the care they each provide for the child/ren

If the income and/or care percentage changes, the roles may reverse and the child support assessment will generally continue without the need for a new application.

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.

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.

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 is not to proceed, see Application for assessment - record a decision and finalise.

If the customer:

• requires an interpreter, see Interpreter Services
• is hearing or speech impaired, see Using the National Relay Service (NRS)
• 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.

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

Central Authority Team

Responsibilities include:

• creating customer profiles for paper 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