Child support in Victoria operates under the national Australian child support scheme. The calculation itself does not vary by state. What differs in Victoria is how child support interacts with courts, enforcement, and related family law processes, particularly for parents living in Melbourne and other parts of the state.
This page explains how child support works in Victoria, where to go for help, what child support covers, and how to estimate payments correctly.
Child support calculator for Victoria
If you are looking for a child support calculator for Victoria or Melbourne, the calculation is based on income and care, not on local cost of living.
Child support is calculated under a national formula administered by Services Australia using the statutory formula set out in the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989. It does not adjust for differences in rent, housing costs, or living expenses between states or cities.
This means:
- A parent in Victoria, including Melbourne, with the same income and care arrangement as a parent elsewhere in Australia will receive the same child support result
- There is no separate “Victorian” or “Melbourne” calculator
You can estimate child support using the national calculator here Child Support Calculator.
How much is child support in Victoria?
There is no fixed amount of child support in Victoria.
The amount depends on:
- Both parents’ taxable incomes
- The number and ages of children
- How care is shared between parents
For low-income cases, the law sets statutory minimum and fixed rates, which apply uniformly across Australia, including for parents in Melbourne.
For a clear explanation of how child support amounts are determined, see How Much Is Child Support in Australia?
If you want an estimate based on your own circumstances, use our Child Support Australia calculator.
Assessments, changes, and reviews
Child support assessments are not fixed permanently. They can be updated if income changes, care arrangements change, or family circumstances change.
Most changes and reviews are handled administratively through Services Australia, without the need for court involvement. Parents can request reassessments, lodge objections, and seek internal reviews where they disagree with an outcome.
In Victoria, as elsewhere in Australia, these processes operate under the national child support scheme and are managed through Services Australia.
What does child support cover in Victoria?
Child support funds are intended to contribute to the ongoing costs of raising children. In Victoria, including Melbourne, child support can be used for a wide range of ordinary child-related and household expenses. However, there are normally no rules around how a parent spends the funds they receive.
For a complete overview of what child support may cover, 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.
Child support office and contact details in Victoria
Child support is not administered by the Victorian state government. All administrative child support matters are handled nationally by Services Australia. There is no separate “Child Support Victoria” or “Child Support Melbourne” agency.
Parents in Victoria, including those in Melbourne, contact Services Australia for assessments, payments and collections, changes to income or care, and general child support enquiries. Official contact details and guidance are available on the Child Support Agency contact page Child Support Agency Contact.
This page explains how to reach the Child Support program and how to locate a nearby Services Australia service centre if in-person assistance is needed.
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