Child support in New South Wales operates under the national Australian child support scheme. The calculation itself does not vary by state, and NSW does not have a separate formula or state-specific calculator.
This page explains how child support works in NSW, how assessments are calculated, how to estimate an assessment, where to find official contact details, and how payments and enforcement are handled.
How child support works in NSW
Child support in New South Wales works the same way as it does across Australia. Assessments are calculated using a national formula administered by Services Australia under the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989.
The formula takes into account:
- Each parent’s taxable income
- The number and ages of children
- How care is shared between parents
Parents with the same incomes and care arrangements will receive the same assessment whether they live in Sydney, regional NSW, or elsewhere in Australia.
You can estimate an assessment using the Child Support Calculator, which applies the same statutory formula used by Services Australia.
Contact details and managing child support
All child support assessments and payments are administered nationally by Services Australia. There is no separate New South Wales child support agency.
Official phone numbers, opening hours, and details on how to locate a Services Australia service centre in NSW are available on the Child Support Agency Contact page.
Most routine tasks can be managed online through myGov and the Express Plus Child Support mobile app. This includes updating income, advising changes in care, uploading documents, and checking payment information.
When payments are made
Child support payments are generally calculated on an annual basis and paid monthly. The timing of individual payments can depend on how payment arrangements are set up and when an assessment takes effect.
If you are unsure when a payment will be made or received, you can check your details through your myGov account or contact Services Australia for clarification.
Overdue payments and arrears
If child support payments fall behind, Services Australia has authority to recover arrears under the national scheme. This can include deductions from wages or benefits, intercepting tax refunds, or other enforcement action.
These recovery powers apply uniformly across Australia, including in New South Wales.
What child support covers
Child support contributes to the ordinary costs of raising children. In New South Wales, as elsewhere in Australia, there are generally no restrictions on how a receiving parent allocates the funds.
A detailed explanation of what child support is intended to cover is available in What Does Child Support Cover in Australia?.
Common expenses include:
- Food. Groceries and meals.
- Clothing. Everyday wear and school uniforms.
- Housing. Rent, utilities, and mortgage costs.
- Education. School fees, textbooks, and supplies.
- Medical care. Doctor visits and medications.
The receiving parent decides how child support is used across household and child-related expenses.
Estimate child support using the Australian child support calculator
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