About this resource

This report uses the budget standards approach to estimate the costs of children by comparing the income needed for households with and without children.

It focuses on selected family types and income levels to understand how costs vary across different households.

Key insight

  • There is no evidence that the budget standards costs of children, as a share of household income, have changed since 2004.

More information

Learn more about Reviewing the Child Support Scheme.

Resource details

Date published: 18 June 2026

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DSS5191 | Permalink: www.dss.gov.au/node/5191