Parent advises Centrelink they want to pay child support 277-51010030
Expand allThis document outlines how a person who is to pay child support (the paying parent or non-resident parent) may apply for a child support assessment for a child.
Effect of Family Tax Benefit (FTB)
If the person to receive child support (the payee) is claiming more than base rate FTB Part A, the payee may need to apply to satisfy the maintenance action test.
An application for a child support assessment can only be made by a parent of an eligible child. In some cases, it is not applicable for a customer to take action to obtain child support.
The parent can begin paying child support directly to the receiving parent when Child Support advises them how much to pay. Child Support cannot collect money from the paying parent unless the receiving parent asks Child Support to collect child support on their behalf.
The paying parent (or their current partner) may be entitled to more FTB if they are paying child support. This is because the full amount of child support paid is deducted from their taxable income under the FTB income test as child maintenance expenditure.
Formal agreement and Child Support assessment
A parent of an eligible child may also make a formal agreement for child support with the payee and have this agreement registered by Child Support.
Customers are to contact Child Support directly, either 
online or by phone, to apply for a child support assessment. Refer the customer to Child Support. For contact details, see Child Support.
The Resources page contains a link to the Services Australia website for information about child support options for parents and contact details for Child Support.
Related links
Centrelink action when an application for child support assessment is rejected by Child Support
Applications for child support assessment through Centrelink
Deductible Child Maintenance Expenditure
Family Tax Benefit (FTB) customer wants to register a child support agreement
Helping customers apply for child support through Centrelink
Maintenance Action Test (MAT) for Family Tax Benefit (FTB) customers
Centrelink action on proving parentage for child support