Self-support amount
The self-support amount is the portion of income set aside for a parent to live on before child support is worked out. For 2026, it is $31,046 per year.
The self-support amount reduces the income used in the formula so only the remaining amount is considered available for children. If income is low, this deduction can reduce child support income to zero, although minimum payment rules still apply.
Definition
The self-support amount is a component of child support income and is the amount that is deducted from the parent’s ATI for their own support. The self-support amount is the same for both parents in an assessment.
The self-support amount is worked out as follows:
⅓ × Annualised MTAWE figure for the relevant June quarter
The annual value of the self-support amount is included in the table of basic values. The self-support amount is updated each year on 1 January.
Definition source: Guides to Social Policy Law, Child Support Guide, Version 4.97, released 20 March 2026, Self-support amount.
Role in the formula
The self-support amount is one of the first deductions applied when calculating child support income. It is taken from each parent’s adjusted taxable income (ATI), leaving the portion of income considered available to support children.
The impact of the deduction is to make the formula more progressive. It shifts the weight of financial responsibility towards higher-income earners who earn well above the threshold.
Minimum payments still apply
If a parent’s income is below the self-support amount, their child support income will be zero. The formula treats them as having no financial capacity to support the children and themselves at the same time.
That does not always result in a zero payment. If the parent has below shared care and does not receive income support, the fixed annual rate applies. If the parent has below regular care and receives income support, the minimum annual rate applies.
Example
A parent earns $40,000 per year. The self-support amount is $31,046 in 2026. After the deduction, their child support income is $8,954 before any other adjustments. That reduced figure is what flows through the rest of the formula.
If the same parent earned $30,000, the deduction would reduce their child support income to zero. The formula would treat them as having no financial capacity, but minimum payment rules may still require a contribution.