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Budget 2024: The Government has announced FamilyBoost, a proposed new childcare payment to help eligible families with the rising costs of Early Childhood Education (ECE). Find out more: Beehive.govt.nz

Australia and New Zealand have an agreement to help manage child support payments. This means child support customers living in either country can make and receive payments.

Child Support (Reciprocal Agreement with Australia) Order 2000  

The country the receiving carer lives in should make the assessment, but both countries can collect or enforce payments.

When the receiving carer lives in Australia and the liable parent lives in New Zealand

When you're a receiving carer living in Australia and the liable parent lives in New Zealand, you'll need to apply for child support through Services Australia.

Your child support options (Services Australia)

When you're a liable parent living in New Zealand and have a child support assessment from Services Australia, you'll need to make payments through them. However, Services Australia may ask us to collect your child support payments on their behalf. If they do, we will collect these and transfer them to Services Australia.

If we are collecting your payments, you will still need to discuss your child support assessment with Services Australia. For example, if you have a change in income and need to estimate your income, contact Services Australia.

Contact us (Services Australia)

When the receiving carer lives in New Zealand and the liable parent lives in Australia

When you're a receiving carer living in New Zealand, you'll need to apply through us for child support. If you were receiving child support through Services Australia, you'll need to let them know when you've applied in New Zealand.

Choosing a type of child support

When you're a liable parent living in Australia and have a child support assessment in New Zealand, you'll need to make payments through us. There are a few ways you can make these payments. However, we may request Services Australia collect your child support payments on our behalf. If they do, they will collect these and transfer them to us.

If Services Australia is collecting your payments, you will still need to discuss your child support assessment with us. For example, if you have a change in income and need to estimate.

Ways of paying


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Last updated: 24 Sep 2020
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