Private collect
Private collect means child support is paid directly between parents instead of being collected by Services Australia. The receiving parent chooses this option and takes responsibility for tracking and enforcing payments. It offers flexibility in how support is paid, but also creates risk if payments fall behind or stop.
Private collect is an option the receiving parent can choose at any time. It suits parents who can cooperate and manage payments without the oversight provided under agency collect.
Definition
Under a private collect arrangement, Services Australia assesses how much child support should be paid and the parents then exchange the payments directly between themselves.
Definition source: Guides to Social Policy Law, Child Support Guide, Version 4.97, released 20 March 2026, Private collect.
Role in the formula
Private collect does not change how child support is calculated. The full formula still applies, including income, care levels, and costs of children. Services Australia continues to issue assessment notices showing how much is payable.
The difference is collection. Instead of the agency receiving and forwarding payments, the payer pays the receiver directly. The liability remains the same, but enforcement is no longer handled by Services Australia.
If the assessment changes, the updated amount still applies. Parents must adjust payments themselves. Any unpaid amounts during a private collect period are not automatically enforced unless the receiver later switches back to agency collection.
Example
A father is assessed to pay $400 per month. Under private collect, he transfers the money directly to the mother’s bank account. Services Australia still updates the amount each year, but it does not track payments or step in if payments stop.
If payments fall behind and the mother later switches to agency collect, Services Australia can usually recover unpaid amounts from the last 3 months, or up to 9 months in exceptional circumstances.
What it means for receivers
Under private collect, the receiving parent is responsible for collecting the assessed child support. Services Australia sets the amount but does not track payments or pursue missed amounts. You need to monitor what is paid, follow up any shortfalls, and keep records.
The arrangement allows flexibility in how payments are made. You can agree to direct transfers, lump sums, or payments for specific expenses such as school fees. It may be used alongside a private agreement that sets out how support will be handled.
There is added risk if payments become irregular. If the payer falls behind, you can switch to agency collect, but recovery is usually limited to the last 3 months, or up to 9 months in exceptional circumstances. Delays in acting can result in lost arrears.
What it means for payers
Under private collect, the paying parent still owes the assessed amount but pays it directly to the other parent instead of through Services Australia. The legal liability does not change, only the collection method.
If payments are made on time and in full, the arrangement is little different to agency collect.
Private collect and private agreements
Private collect allows parents to carry out their own child support arrangement directly, without Services Australia collecting payments. Parents can follow the assessed amount or agree to something different, including covering specific expenses or making irregular payments.
Most receivers choose private collect to give effect to agreed terms such as direct transfers, lump sums, or payments for things like school fees. These arrangements do not need to be formalised or require legal sign-off unless the parents choose to enter a binding agreement.
Private collect can also operate without any agreement at all. The assessment still exists, but parents decide how payments are handled between themselves. The arrangement only holds while both parents continue to follow it.