MFL

Resource Hub – Articles/Blog

What children are eligible for child support?

Child support is payable for all children living in Australia whose parents have separated. If a child turns 18 during their last year at school then that child is eligible for child support until they complete the school year. A child who is married or living in a de facto relationship is not eligible for child support.

Usually child support requires both parents to be living in Australia, but there are arrangements with some other countries for collection and payment of child support, if one of the parents or the child is living in that country.

What children are eligible for Child Support?

The Child Support Scheme covers all children living in Australia whose parents have separated. It does not matter whether the parents were ever in a relationship and it is not relevant whether a parent spends time with their child or not. There are arrangements with certain countries for the collection and payment of Child Support, if one of the parents live in that country.

If a child turns 18 during their last year at school then that child is eligible for child support until they complete the school year. A child who is married or living in a de facto relationship is not eligible for Child Support.

When does a child become ineligible for Child Support?

A child is no longer eligible when they turn 18, although they can continue to receive Child Support until the end of the school year if they are in school.

A child who is married or living in a de facto relationship is not eligible for Child Support. A child who is adopted will also no longer be eligible to receive Child Support payments.

Another exception applies where the person entitled to receive payments passes away. It is possible to specify in an order that it is to remain in force after the death of the person entitled to receive payments. The order must also specify who is to receive the payments upon the death of the person originally entitled to receive the payments.

Children who are under the care of somebody, as specified by a child welfare law, are excluded from Child Support.

I have a child support assessment. My child turns 18 this year and is still at school. Can I do anything?

Child support lasts until your children are 18. The Court may order payments after the child turns 18 for educational expense or if there is an ongoing disability. You will need to get legal advice.

When do Consent Orders for Child Support cease to have effect?

Child Support payments are no longer required when a child ceases to be eligible for Child Support.

Where to Start

Lets Talk

Calculators

Numbers Tool

Resource Hub

Articles

Your Rights

Video/Vlog

Book A Free Consult

Support, Asset Divison & More

Everything You Need To Know

Your Questions  Answered

Where to Start

Lets Talk

Calculators

Numbers Tool

Resource Hub

Articles

Your Rights

Video/Vlog

Where to Start

Lets Talk

Calculators

Numbers Tool

Resource Hub

Articles

Your Rights

Video/Vlog

Vanessa Mathews
Managing Director FDRP and Mediator
BCOMM BSW LLB

Accredited Family Law Specialist, FDRP,
Mediator and Parenting Coordinator

Vanessa Mathews is the founder and managing director of Mathews Family Law & Mediation Specialists, and has the rare combination of social work qualifications and experience, combined with nearly 20 years’ experience as a lawyer and mediator; it makes her approach to resolving legal relationship issues both sensible and sensitive.

She is a fully accredited family law specialist, mediator, family dispute resolution practitioner and parenting coordinator with a commerce degree – adding a financially astute aspect to her practice.

Vanessa has extensive experience in complex issues that arise from relationship breakdown, and works in partnership with her clients,
who regularly describe her as empathetic

Vanessa is an active member of the family law profession and
a member of the:

  •  Law Institute of Victoria, Family Law Section
  •  Law Council of Australia, Family Law Section
  •  Resolution Institute
  •  Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators
  • National Mediation Accreditation System
  •  Relationships Australia Family Lawyers Panel
  • Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers
  •  Relationships Australia / Federal Circuit Court ‘Access Resolve’ Mediation Service
  • Relationships Australia ‘Property Mediation’ Service

Vanessa and Mathews Family Law & Mediation Specialists
are regularly recognised as a ‘Leading Victorian Family
Lawyer’, ‘Recommended Family Law Mediator’ and a
‘Leading Victorian Family Law Firm’ by Doyle’s Guide to
the Australian Legal Profession.

Get Started With Vanessa

Book A Free Consult

Vanessa Mathews
Managing Director FDRP and Mediator
BCOMM BSW LLB

Accredited Family Law Specialist, FDRP,
Mediator and Parenting Coordinator

Vanessa Mathews is the founder and managing director of Mathews Family Law & Mediation Specialists, and has the rare combination of social work qualifications and experience, combined with nearly 20 years’ experience as a lawyer and mediator; it makes her approach to resolving legal relationship issues both sensible and sensitive.

She is a fully accredited family law specialist, mediator, family dispute resolution practitioner and parenting coordinator with a commerce degree – adding a financially astute aspect to her practice.

Vanessa has extensive experience in complex issues that arise from relationship breakdown, and works in partnership with her clients,
who regularly describe her as empathetic

Vanessa is an active member of the family law profession and
a member of the:

  •  Law Institute of Victoria, Family Law Section
  •  Law Council of Australia, Family Law Section
  •  Resolution Institute
  •  Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators
  • National Mediation Accreditation System
  •  Relationships Australia Family Lawyers Panel
  • Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers
  •  Relationships Australia / Federal Circuit Court ‘Access Resolve’ Mediation Service
  • Relationships Australia ‘Property Mediation’ Service

Vanessa and Mathews Family Law & Mediation Specialists
are regularly recognised as a ‘Leading Victorian Family
Lawyer’, ‘Recommended Family Law Mediator’ and a
‘Leading Victorian Family Law Firm’ by Doyle’s Guide to
the Australian Legal Profession.

Get Started With Vanessa

Book A Free Consult