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At ALA Law (formerly Amanda Little & Associates), our child support lawyers can assist you with all aspects of child support, including:
We help parents in Orange, Bathurst, Blayney, Molong, Cowra, Parkes and across the Central West, in person by appointment or by phone and video.
Reviewed by Julie Vass, Special Counsel · November 2026
Orange · by appointment only
Dubbo · by appointment only
Phone and video appointments available
Financial support for children in Australia is generally determined by an administrative assessment of child support. The assessment is made using the formula set out in the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 (Cth). This is a complex formula that takes into account the percentages of care, the parties’ incomes and financial dependants. Find out more about the formula.
Information on the child support register about the parties’ children and care arrangements can be disputed by lodging an objection. Parents can also apply for a departure from the formula assessment in special circumstances.
Services Australia (Child Support) calculates child support assessments for separated parents using a standard formula, which takes into account each parent’s income and the care each parent has of the children. Parents can only apply to a court about child support issues in very limited circumstances.
Parents are able to contract out of the “assessable amount” through a child support agreement. Every family has a different idea of what a fair amount of child support looks like. There are two types of agreement:
A binding child support agreement can include:
Clear advice. Real support. People in your corner.
Most family law matters in Orange are resolved without a judge. We focus on negotiation, mediation and agreement wherever possible, and if court is needed, you’ll have experienced advocates beside you.
Applying for child support is as simple as making a phone call or lodging an online application through Services Australia. It can take as little as 20 minutes, and either parent can apply for a child support assessment. Child support on myGov →
When you apply, you’ll be asked about:
There are also circumstances where you can have an Australian child support assessment even where one parent lives outside Australia. We can help you understand the eligibility requirements where one or both parents are overseas.
The basic formula is designed to share the standard cost of a child, which varies with each parent’s income, the number of children and the children’s ages.
Child support is an allowance to help parents fairly share those costs. The formula doesn’t cover any particular expense, and the parent receiving it can spend it as they choose.
There’s only a legal requirement to pay child support. It doesn’t extend to extra-curricular or schooling costs unless a court order or binding child support agreement requires it.
When you apply for child support, you can choose:
If communication breaks down, private collection may no longer suit your circumstances. Services Australia can help you collect payments missed during a private collection period up to 90 days before you switch to Child Support collect.
There’s no legal requirement to apply. You can work out arrangements between yourselves, but an informal agreement can’t be enforced if things go wrong. You also need an assessment or a legally recognised agreement to receive more than the minimum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A, with some exceptions such as family violence. Importantly, if you’ve never applied for an assessment, there’s no way to get back-paid child support.
If you’re assessed to pay child support for a child you don’t believe is yours, it’s up to you to take action. Once you receive notice that a child support case has been accepted, you have 56 days to apply to court for a declaration that you are not the child’s parent. Read more about disputing paternity →
Special Counsel · Solicitor in Charge, Orange, Dubbo & Orana
Julie leads our family law work for clients in Orange and across the Central West. Admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales in 1998, she brings more than 25 years’ experience across all areas of family law, with particular skill in dispute resolution and arbitration.
Clients value Julie’s kind, considerate and compassionate approach. She’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and your family.
Julie is supported by ALA Law’s family law Partners Amanda Little, Rosemary Aloisio and Bernadette Melhem, each an Accredited Specialist in Family Law.
You don’t need a formal agreement to tell Services Australia how much time the children spend with each parent. Care is usually worked out from the number of nights a child actually spends with each parent. If you’re not following your parenting plan or orders, you should tell Services Australia, and if the other parent disagrees, you may need to provide extra proof.
Yes. Parents can be separated while living under the same roof. If the other parent doesn’t agree you’ve separated, you may need further proof, such as messages or correspondence showing the separation.
You don’t need to know it. Services Australia contacts both parents and can get income information from the ATO. If it can’t, it can set a default income until the other parent updates theirs.
If you’re pregnant and not married to or in a relationship with the other parent, they may be liable to contribute to your maintenance during the childbirth period, out-of-pocket pregnancy and birth costs and, sadly, related funeral expenses. Learn more →
A Departure Prohibition Order can prevent a person who owes child support debts from leaving Australia. Learn more →
Child support is for the children. Spousal maintenance supports a former partner and is dealt with under different legislation.
Book a confidential appointment. We’ll listen, explain your options and help you take the next step with confidence.