People often ask family lawyers the question ‘what does child support cover in Victoria?’ Firstly, let’s go over the meaning of child support. It is the financial support payment that the non-custodial parent makes to the primary carer of the child following a divorce or separation.
After a divorce or separation, the financial circumstances of the family changes. When children are involved, it is very important for parents to provide children with emotional as well as financial support. Child support payments are ways through which the parents pay child support to continue providing financial stability to the children.
Child support helps the primary carer of the child with various aspects when he/she is raising the child. But, what does child support cover in Victoria? Regardless of which state you reside in, child support covers standard and basic expenses. This can include expenses related to food, clothing, housing, education and health.
Importantly, it is also necessary for readers to understand what child maintenance means. Child maintenance is similar to child support, but it is meant solely for children who are 18 years of age or older. To read about adult child maintenance, click here.
Services Australia or the Department of Human Services makes a child support assessment depending upon the age of the children, and their corresponding needs, each parent’s income, the parents’ combined income, and the living arrangements of the child. Previously, the child support agency was responsible for making these assessments.
What Does Child Support Cover in Victoria?
In this section, we’ll answer the question ‘what does child support cover in Victoria’? As mentioned above, mainly, child support covers expenses related to:
- Housing
- Clothing
- Education
- Transportation
- Healthcare
- Food
Moreover, there are other expenses that could be included. These include certain “prescribed expenses” and “non-agency payments.”
Prescribed Expenses
Prescribed expenses under child support can include payments that can be credited towards child support. This can include some additional costs like child care costs. Moreover, additional costs include costs for school such as uniform, books for school and also fees for medical expenses like dental services for the child.
In some cases, it can also include covering costs for the payee’s (primary carer of the child) motor vehicle such as repair costs. It can also include the payee’s share of accommodation costs, or mortgage expenses or rent for utilities like electricity.
Non-agency Expenses
Non-agency payments also include payments made from one parent directly to the payee or a third-party that can be credited towards child support payments. Importantly, as a payer if you wish to credit these payments towards overall child support payable, you must keep proof of such payments. Proof can be in the form of bank statements, receipts or bank deposit records. Services Australia will then consider these additional expenses.
What Cannot Be Covered Under Child Support?
When reading up on the topic ‘what does child support cover in Victoria’ it is also important to be familiar with certain costs and expenses that are not typically included under child support. Generally, the paying parent covers expenses related to extracurricular activities only to a certain extent, and not to the full extent.
Moreover, the child may have some special needs that the paying parent may or may not include as part of their payments. Additionally, depending on the school the child attends, either private or public school, child support payments may or may not cover the cost of private school fees.
However, this depends on the arrangements made between the two parties. Depending on their financial circumstances, the two separated or divorced parties must reach mutual agreements on child support payments. Where this is not possible, parties must seek the help of lawyers who can help them sort out matters related to child support.
Also it is quite possible that a party is unhappy with Service Australia’s child support assessment. In this case, they should contact lawyers, and take advice on how they can approach Service’s Australia to vary the assessment. For instance, the party can claim that the assessment does not reflect their financial capabilities.
Importance of Seeking Family Law Advice
This article has answered the question ‘what does child support cover in Victoria”. If you are looking for other similar articles, check out our blog page. To read about what child support covers in NSW, click here.
Moreover, check out our video below to gain more insights on this topic. Family law is complicated. It is necessary for all parties to do their research on matters. Moreover, it is important to seek professional guidance from experienced family lawyers. If you are looking to make a binding child support agreement, or other child support agreements, it is important to obtain independent legal advice.
At JB Solicitors, our award-winning team of solicitors have the experience of dealing with a wide variety of complicated matters. We can offer market-leading advice to parties who are looking to reach agreements on child support payment. Moreover, in case of any disputes, we offer mediation and arbitration services. Many parents are confused about their child support liability. We are here to help you with all such matters.
If you have more questions on ‘what does child support cover in Victoria,’ or for any enquiries, contact our team of lawyers.