Making the child support system safer and more effective

About the changes

The Government has announced funding to better protect children and parents against weaponisation of the child support system. It will also strengthen assessment and compliance processes so more children get the financial support they need, in full and on time.

The funding is $182.6 million over four years from 2026–27 (and $19.6 million per year ongoing). These changes will:

• Help end the weaponisation of child support
  • Services Australia will have more power to step in when there is family violence, harassment or misuse of the system
  • Detailed financial information will not be automatically shared with the other parent when a change of assessment or objection is lodged
  • There will be stronger protection for parents in Private Collect arrangements and those moving from private to Agency Collect child support arrangements.
• Enable stronger action on unpaid child support. This includes greater use of international travel restrictions for parents who owe large amounts of child support.
• Help make sure child support payments are made in full and on time. We will increase the use of ‘employer withholding’ and speed up disbursement of payments to the receiving parent.
• Provide clearer information for separated parents to understand their child support options. This includes explaining how child support works alongside Family Tax Benefit.
• Deliver more accurate child support assessments. We will improve tax lodgement compliance and expand the use of payroll data.
• Ensure better child support arrangements for parents living overseas. This includes strengthening child support arrangements with other countries and providing support for community organisations helping parents with children living overseas.