Before you start
You'll need:
- the child support years you want reviewed
- the names of the children covered in the review
- to list the grounds, reasons, for your review
- to tell us why you believe the assessment should be changed, matching your special circumstances with the grounds for review
- evidence or information that shows how you meet the grounds for review.
If you're applying for a past child support year, you’ll need to explain why you did not apply at the time.
With the future hearing, decide if you want to:
- attend by phone
- have a support person
- have a representative attend in your place.
In myIR, select 'More...' from the child support account panel
Select 'Apply for a child support review'
Select the grounds you're using in the review
You'll need to select each ground you're applying for.
Explain how your special circumstances match the ground(s) you've chosen.
You'll also need to check that you've given us the supporting information needed as proof for each ground.
Each ground has a link to more information and a list of any extra information you need to provide.
If you're applying under Ground 5 or Ground 11 we'll ask you about your situation and costs.
Submit your application
After you've sent us your application, you'll receive an Alert in myIR.
This Alert will be a 'Financial details for a child support review'
We strongly recommend you do supply financial details. Giving us your financial details helps the review officer to make their decision for the child support review. The review officer can only make a decision based on the information you give to them.
This information is shared with the other people involved - make sure you only provide information you're comfortable with them receiving.
You can fill in the Application for an administrative review - IR470 form online or on paper.
You can also send us your financial details in an IR178 form if you think it will help with the review. Remember, the information is shared with other people involved. Make sure you only provide information you're comfortable with them receiving.
Sending us the form as a message in myIR
Make sure you let us know the message is for child support. Attach your completed IR470 form and any supporting documents to the message.
You do not need to sign the form when sending it to us in myIR.
Sending us the form by post
Check you've included your correct information and any documents we need. Sign the form and send your documents to us at:
Child Support
PO Box 39010
Wellington Mail Centre
Lower Hutt 5045
What happens next
We'll assess your application and be in touch with you to talk about it. We may also ask you to provide more information to support your application.
If we accept the application, we’ll arrange for a hearing. A hearing takes up to 30 minutes and is:
- informal compared to court hearings
- held separately with each person in the review
- for clarifying the information provided and talking about all parties' circumstances.
Hearings are carried out by a review officer contracted to us. The decision is not made at the hearing. We'll let you know the outcome in writing, usually within 3 weeks.
My responsibilities
As a child support customer, you'll always need to:
- tell us about changes
- check your information
- tell us if something is wrong.
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