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Centrelink action for Child Support Prescribed Income Test for a Stage 1 customer 277-51040020

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This document outlines the procedure when particular customers have periods of low income. During these periods, Child Support may cease enforcement of a court order or court registered agreement for child support for a Stage 1 customer if the paying parent is receiving an income support payment and satisfies the Prescribed Income Test.

Child Support application

The paying parent must lodge an application with Child Support, either in writing or by phone.

When Child Support receives the application, a request for Prescribed Income Test Information is forwarded to the Child Support Unit (CSU) at Centrelink.

The CSU will verify that the applicant is receiving a Centrelink pension or benefit and that the payer's combined income from social security pensions or benefits, (less Rent Assistance and other non-taxable additional payments) plus any other ordinary income, does not exceed the highest single rate of pension as prescribed by child support legislation (Prescribed Income Test).

Child Support determines the date from which to cease enforcement of the court order/ agreement, ensuring that an overpayment of child support does not occur.

Child Support will conduct regular reviews to check that non-enforcement should continue by liaising with the Centrelink CSU. The CSU will determine if the payer still meets the criteria on the date on which Child Support makes the request.

The Resources page contains contact details for Child Support.

Assessment of other ordinary income for Centrelink payments

Child Support collection information for Centrelink staff

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) customer with court order or a court registered agreement

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) customer not receiving full child support entitlement privately

Rates and thresholds

Transfer of information between Centrelink and Child Support