What does child support cover in NSW? Child support is a type of financial support that a child needs from their parents. These prescribed expenses will generally include food, shelter, transportation, clothing, and school fees. Sounds expensive, doesn’t it?
That is why having a child is a big responsibility and commitment. Raising a child will require a lot of financial, mental, physical, and emotional preparation. After all, children need their families and parents as they will influence their lives. Moreover, children will naturally rely on their parents and family members to protect them and provide for their needs.
As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher and role model for how to act and interact. They will carry your teachings and guidance as they grow older. However, parents who raise children after divorce are another type of challenge. How is this possible if it’s way easier to just stay together for the child?
Both parents are expected to financially support their children following a separation or divorce. But a question that may come up between separated and divorced parents is ‘what does child support cover in NSW?’. Let’s find out!
Things to Know About Child Support
Parents should also know a few things about child support first. Firstly, custodial parents have legal custody of a child most of the time. Meanwhile, non-custodial parents are the people who don’t have physical custody of a child, though they may still have legal custody. Legal custody entails making decisions about the child’s life, whereas physical custody entails caring for the child on a daily basis.
Common Misconceptions
While fathers are typically associated with being non-custodial parents, this is not always the case. Many mothers are also required to pay child support. Similarly, non-custodial parents may continue to heavily involve themselves in their child’s life, and parents may choose to co-parent. It’s also important to remember that child support is not based on the parents’ marital status.
Child support payments are used for the care of children and are not used for the custodial parent’s expenses. This is where things can get complicated and conflicts can arise. In general, child support is intended to maintain a child’s living standard and meet all of their basic needs.
Whatever the circumstances, the goal of child support is for the parents to share the financial responsibility for raising their children. Non-custodial parents are not exempt from making regular payments to assist in meeting the child’s basic needs. Continue reading to know more about what child support includes in NSW.
Read:Mother Vs Father Custody Statistics Australia
What Child Support Cover in NSW: All the Expenses Explained
1. Basic Necessities
We can include here their food, clothing, and shelter. Necessities are simply things that a child needs in order to function properly. Parents will need to provide nutritious foods that will keep their children active and healthy.
They should also make sure they provide proper clothing that keeps them safe from cold and hot seasons. Let’s also not forget that parents need to provide their children with a comfortable place to live without hazards and risks.
What does child support include in NSW in terms of other necessities? In some cases, parents will also need to fund their child’s entertainment fees like computers, television programs, games, internet, and visits to movie theatres, parks, camping trips, or amusement parks. However, not all of these are needed and will depend on the child’s circumstances
2. Medical Expenses and Uninsured Medical Expenses
Most states require divorced or separated parents to help with medical bills. The parent with better employee-covered benefits is usually required to carry the medical, dental, and/or optical insurance plan. Child support payments can possibly cover uninsured or “extraordinary” medical costs.
This includes any out-of-pocket medical costs that exceed the cost of a basic health care insurance plan, such as:
- Co-pays
- Deductibles
- Surgery
- Dental braces
- Casts
- Eyeglasses
- Special health care costs
3. School Fees
All children should have the right to receive proper education from schools and education-related institutions. Education is not free even in public schools. So, to know what does child support covers in NSW in terms of school-related expenses, these may include:
- School clothes/uniforms
- Tuition or school fees
- Textbooks
- School supplies (notebooks and writing materials, school bags)
- Lunch money
- Private tutors
- Travel expenses
- Extracurricular activities
Notably, whether school fees are included depends on some factors, like whether the child attends a public or private school, as private school fees may or may not be included depending on special circumstances. Watch the video at the end of the article to learn more.
4. Childcare
What does child support cover in NSW for childcare? Sometimes, both parents may have emergency business trips or simply cannot fit childcare into their schedule. So, child support for childcare may cover daycare services, babysitters, nannies, or other childcare costs and fees. We recommend not to do this as often since this will make children realize that their parents cannot make time for them.
I Can’t Afford To Pay for Child Support! Who Can Help Me?
Some parents may have trouble keeping up with child support payments due to personal or financial reasons. Earlier, the child support agency followed a formula to calculate the child support payable. Presently, Services Australia (previously known as the Department of Human Services), an Australian agency, helps parents manage child support payments.
Moreover like the child support agency, this institution also helps with child support assessment to know how much parents need to pay or receive. The Department of Human Services or Services Australia typically conduct a child support assessment with the following factors:
- Each parent’s income and the combined income
- Time spent with childcare
- The child’s age
The Child Support Agency uses a formula that takes into account the income of both parents to calculate child support. Previously, the child support agency conducted these assessments, but now Services Australia has that responsibility.
We have articles below that can help you calculate the amount of child support you should pay:
Average Child Support Payment: How Much Should You Pay? | JB Solicitors
Child Support Rate: Helping You Calculate | JB Solicitors
How Much Is the Single Parenting Payment in 2025? | JB Solicitors
Child Support Agreements
Thankfully, separated parents can use child support agreements. Such agreements ensure a level of stability in the child’s life following the breakdown of their parents’ relationship. Yes, money talks in family law matters can be difficult. Therefore, child maintenance payments, whether paid or received, are a major concern for people going through a separation or divorce.
Parents can negotiate child support payments through private discussion between the parties. During the discussion, parents can include a Binding Child Support Agreement and a Limited Child Support Agreement. Let’s look at their differences:
| Binding Child Support Agreement | Child Support Agreement |
| Binding Child Support Agreements are private arrangements between separated parents that specify the details of child support payments. These can include regular payments (like those made every two weeks), irregular lump-sum contributions (for expenses such as private school tuition), or direct payments to third parties (such as a health insurance provider).
A Binding Child Support Agreement requires independent legal advice before entering. |
Limited Child Support Agreements are written arrangements. These are valid for up to three years and can cover both monetary support and other forms of assistance, like health insurance or school fees.
A Limited Child Support Agreement does not require legal advice and is suitable for shorter time frames. |
What Child Support Cover in NSW: Adult Child Maintenance
Child support typically stops when a child turns 18. However, there are instances where a child will need financial support even after 18. If this is the case, parents, legal guardians, or the child can apply for these orders in court. Adult children need this kind of financial support if they are:
- Experiencing serious mental or physical disabilities
- Finishing their secondary or tertiary studies
- Experiencing serious illnesses
If both parents agree to maintenance, or if the child and paying parent agree, the courts can turn this into an adult child support court order. Either parent or child may seek an adult child support order from the other parent when a child is 17 or after the child has turned 18.
Let Us Help You With Your Child Support Arrangements
Child support can be a puzzling and complicated concept for all parties involved. Because state laws differ, and if one parent lives in a different state, it’s always best to consult a family lawyer. These legal professionals can explain and guide parents through the process of filing for and paying child support.
Some parents will face disputes and will have arguments about child support or adult child payments. They may also have disagreements on who must pay child support. This may continue to escalate until they decide to opt for court proceedings.
We at JB Solicitors can help curb child support disputes. Let us help you work out child support payments or child support assessment with your ex for your child. Our family lawyers are experienced in reviewing child support payments and helping parents agree on an amicable payment method.
Our mediation services are readily available for divorced parents who want to make agreements about such payments.
Message an experienced family lawyer today.
