Child support in Western Australia operates under the national Australian child support scheme. The calculation itself does not vary by state. Western Australia does not have a separate formula for child support, even though people often search for “WA child support” or “How does WA calculate child support?”.
This page explains how child support works in Western Australia, how assessments are calculated, how to apply, what child support covers, and where to find official contact details.
How does WA calculate child support?
Western Australia does not calculate child support under a separate state formula.
Child support is calculated using a national formula administered by Services Australia under the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989. The same inputs produce the same result whether a parent lives in Perth, Broome, or anywhere else in Australia.
The assessment is based on:
- Each parent’s taxable income
- The number and ages of children
- How care is shared between parents (measured in nights)
If you want to estimate an assessment quickly, you can use the Child Support Calculator.
Child support assessment in Western Australia
A child support assessment is the formal calculation made under the national formula. It determines whether child support is payable, who pays, and how much.
Assessments are administered nationally by Services Australia, including for parents living in Western Australia. Assessments can also change over time if income or care arrangements change.
How to apply for child support in Australia
Applications for child support are handled through Services Australia. This is the same process for parents in Western Australia as it is in other states.
In general, you can apply and manage child support online through myGov, where you can link Child Support to your account and manage ongoing updates.
Child support contact number and services in Western Australia
Searches such as “child support number” or “child support contact” usually refer to Services Australia, which administers child support nationally.
If you need official contact details or want to find a local service centre in Western Australia, see the Child Support Agency Contact page.
Services Australia child support guide
Services Australia publishes official guidance on how child support works, including assessments, payments, care arrangements, and updating information. If you are looking for the government guide, start with Services Australia and myGov for the most current instructions and service information.
What does child support cover in Western Australia?
Child support funds are intended to contribute to the ongoing costs of raising children. In Western Australia, as elsewhere in Australia, child support can be used for a wide range of ordinary child-related and household expenses. There are normally no rules about how a parent spends the funds they receive.
For a full explanation, see What Does Child Support Cover in Australia?.
Common expenses covered by child support
- Food. Groceries and meals.
- Clothing. Everyday wear, school uniforms, and seasonal needs.
- Housing. Rent, mortgage payments, and utilities.
- Education. General school fees, textbooks, and necessary supplies.
- Medical care. Routine healthcare, including doctor visits and medications.
The receiving parent can allocate the funds as they see fit, whether toward these expenses or other household costs.
Summary for Western Australian parents
- Western Australia uses the national child support formula
- There is no separate WA calculation method
- Assessments are based on income and care, not cost of living or location
- Services Australia administers child support and provides contact details
- Child support can be used for ordinary child-related and household expenses
Estimate child support using the Australian child support calculator
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