Ngā whakawāteatanga tautoko tamariki Child support exemptions

In certain situations, a liable parent whether living in New Zealand or overseas can be made exempt from paying their child support assessment.

Temporary exemptions

You can apply for a temporary exemption when you're:

•  in a New Zealand or overseas prison, hospital, or a treatment facility for at least 13 weeks in a row
• suffering a long-term illness or injury for at least 13 weeks and cannot do paid work because of the illness or injury
• under 16 years old.

If you're under 16 years old and not already exempt, please call us.

Contact child support 

Permanent exemption

If you are the victim of a sex offence, you can apply for a permanent exemption from paying child support for a child. There does not need to have been a conviction for the offence, but you will need to be able to show that an offence occurred.