28th day after Royal Assent - except for items 21 to 25 of Schedule 1. They commence on a day to be fixed by Proclamation, or, if no date is fixed, six months after the Act receives Royal Assent. Background The Child Support Scheme was established after a long period of community consultation. The object of the scheme is to ensure that both custodial and non-custodial parents pay for their children's upkeep, rather than the tax payer. Stage 1 came into effect on 1 June 1988, stage 2, on 1 October 1989.
Different rules apply to parents covered by the two stages.
Stage 1 covers parents who separated before 1 October 1989, and have no children born after that date. In these cases, the Child Support Agency has the power to enforce court orders or court registered agreements on behalf of the custodial parents. Stage 2 goes a step further. In assessing child support, the Child Support Agency makes an administrative assessment using a formula. Where parents agree privately as to the amount and method of payment, the agency won't interfere unless the custodial parent is seeking a means-tested social security payment.