Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989
Child Support (Assessment) (Annualised Male Total Average Weekly Earnings Amount and Costs of the Children Table) Notice 2023
I, Ray Griggs AO CSC, Secretary of the Department of Social Services, give notice under subsection 155(2) of the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 that, for all child support periods starting in 2024:
- the annualised MTAWE figure for the quarter ending on 30 June 2023 is $85,389 and
- the Costs of the Children Table, incorporating the annualised MTAWE figure of $85,389 and other amounts in the table worked out using this figure, is the following table headed 2024 Costs of the Children Table.
Ray Griggs AO CSC
Secretary
1 December 2023
2024 Costs of the Children Table | | | |
Parents' combined child support income or parent’s child support income |
No. of | $0 | $42,696 | $85,390 | $128,085 | $170,779 | Income |
children | to | to | to | to | to | over |
| $42,695[1] | $85,389[2] | $128,084[3] | $170,778[4] | $213,473[5] | $213,473[5] |
| Costs of children (to be apportioned between parents) | | |
Children aged 0 - 12 years | | | | |
1 child | | $7,258 | $13,662 | $18,785 | $23,054 | $26,043 |
| 17c for | plus 15c for | plus 12c for | plus 10c for | plus 7c for | |
| each $1 | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | |
| | $42,695 | $85,389 | $128,084 | $170,778 | |
2 children | | $10,247 | $20,067 | $28,606 | $36,291 | $40,561 |
| 24c for | plus 23c for | plus 20c for | plus 18c for | plus 10c for | |
| each $1 | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | |
| | $42,695 | $85,389 | $128,084 | $170,778 | |
3 + children | | $11,528 | $22,628 | $33,302 | $43,549 | $51,234 |
| 27c for | plus 26c for | plus 25c for | plus 24c for | plus 18c for | |
| each $1 | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | |
| | $42,695 | $85,389 | $128,084 | $170,778 | |
Children aged 13 + years | | | | |
1 child | | $9,820 | $19,213 | $24,336 | $28,605 | $32,448 |
| 23c for | plus 22c for | plus 12c for | plus 10c for | plus 9c for | |
| each $1 | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | |
| | $42,695 | $85,389 | $128,084 | $170,778 | |
2 children | | $12,382 | $24,336 | $35,010 | $43,549 | $49,099 |
| 29c for | plus 28c for | plus 25c for | plus 20c for | plus 13c for | |
| each $1 | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | |
| | $42,695 | $85,389 | $128,084 | $170,778 | |
3 + children | | $13,662 | $26,897 | $39,706 | $52,087 | $60,626 |
| 32c for | plus 31c for | plus 30c for | plus 29c for | plus 20c for | |
| each $1 | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | |
| | $42,695 | $85,389 | $128,084 | $170,778 | |
Children of mixed age | | | | |
2 children | | $11,314 | $22,201 | $31,807 | $39,919 | $44,829 |
| 26.5c for | plus 25.5c for | plus 22.5c for | plus 19c for | plus 11.5c for | |
| each $1 | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | each $1 over | |
| | $42,695 | $85,389 | $128,084 | $170,778 | |
3 + children | 29.5c for each $1 | $12,595 plus 28.5c for each $1 over $42,695 | $24,763 plus 27.5c for each $1 over $85,389 | $36,504 plus 26.5c for each $1 over $128,084 | $47,818 plus 19c for each $1 over $170,778 | $55,930 |
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|
[1] 0.5 times annualised MTAWE figure.
[2] Annualised MTAWE figure.
[3] 1.5 times MTAWE figure.
[4] 2 times MTAWE figure.
[5] 2.5 times annualised MTAWE. Costs of children do not increase above this cap.
Overview
The Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 was enacted to provide a legislative framework for the assessment and collection of child support payments, ensuring that children receive financial support from both parents for their upbringing and welfare. The Act was introduced to address the problem of ensuring fair and consistent child support arrangements across Australia. The policy objective is to ensure that children's financial needs are met regardless of the family structure, thereby promoting the welfare of children. The Act is administered by the Commonwealth Parliament, and this specific notice, issued under subsection 155(2) of the Act, updates the annualised Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE) amount and the Costs of the Children Table, which are essential for calculating child support payments for the year starting in 2024. The notice specifies the annualised MTAWE figure for the quarter ending on 30 June 2023 as $85,389 and outlines the Costs of the Children Table, which incorporates this figure and other amounts necessary for calculating child support payments.
Scope and Application
The Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 applies to parents or guardians who are subject to child support assessments under the Act. It encompasses the calculation and enforcement of child support obligations for children who are under 18 years of age or, in certain circumstances, up to 20 years if the child is still undertaking full-time education. The Act operates at the Commonwealth level and applies across Australia, providing a consistent framework for the assessment and collection of child support. The Act does not apply to certain categories of income, such as certain social security payments, and there are specific exclusions and thresholds for different income brackets as outlined in the Costs of the Children Table. The annualised Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE) figure and the Costs of the Children Table, which are used to calculate child support payments, are updated annually through notices under the Act, ensuring that the calculations reflect current economic conditions.
Key Provisions
The Child Support (Assessment) (Annualised Male Total Average Weekly Earnings Amount and Costs of the Children Table) Notice 2023, issued under the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989, sets out the annualised Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE) figure for the quarter ending 30 June 2023 and provides the Costs of the Children Table for child support periods starting in 2024. The annualised MTAWE figure is set at $85,389 (subsection 155(2)). The Costs of the Children Table incorporates this figure and provides the costs of children based on the number of children and their ages, calculated using the annualised MTAWE figure. This table is used to determine the amount of child support to be paid.
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved, including parents, the Department of Social Services, and the Child Support Agency. Parents are required to provide information about their income and the number and ages of their children to enable the calculation of child support. The Department of Social Services is responsible for publishing the annualised MTAWE figure and the Costs of the Children Table. The Child Support Agency uses these figures to assess and calculate child support liabilities.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 can result in various consequences. Under section 18 of the Act, if a person knowingly makes a false or misleading statement, or fails to provide information required by the Act, they can be guilty of an offence. The maximum penalty for this offence is 12 months imprisonment or a fine of 1,200 penalty units, or both. Additionally, under section 19, if a person wilfully obstructs an authorised officer in the exercise of their duties, they can be guilty of an offence. The maximum penalty for this offence is 6 months imprisonment or a fine of 600 penalty units, or both. These penalties underscore the importance of compliance with the Act.