Above Primary Care

Above primary care means one parent has a care percentage over 86% and a cost percentage of 100%. The other parent is treated as contributing purely through payments, and so is required to pay the maximum amount subject to income constraints.

Definition

The child support formula uses 5 different terms to describe care. Above primary care is the term used when a parent has a percentage of care between 86% and 100%.

When a parent has above primary care of a child, they have a cost percentage of 100%, which means they are recognised as meeting 100% of their costs of the child through care.

Definition source: Guides to Social Policy Law, Child Support Guide, Version 4.97, released 20 March 2026, 1.1.A.10 Above primary care.

Purpose

In the calculation of child support, the above primary care level captures the situation where there is sole care or close to it. One parent can be considered fully responsible for the day-to-day costs of raising a child.

The value of having this care band is in how the system handles the other parent, who has below regular care. Because that parent’s only contribution is in the form of payments, the maximum payment rates apply. And if he or she has low income, minimum or fixed rates can be used, depending on the circumstances, to force a contribution.

What it means to have above primary care

At 86% to 100% care, all of the child’s costs are attributed to you. The formula does not recognise the other parent as meeting any costs through care. They are required to pay child support to contribute in line with their income.

What it means when the other parent has above primary care

When the other parent has 86% to 100% care, you fall into the below regular care category.

Your child support liability is calculated from your income without any offset for direct care. If your income is low, the minimum annual rate or fixed annual rate may still apply to ensure a contribution.