Some other children are covered as well. By the year 2007 all children in Australia will be covered by the Scheme. The Scheme applies a formula for the purposes of working out how much a liable parent needs to pay to the carer for the support of children. Once a carer applies for child support from the Child Support Agency an assessment is issued using the formula. The Child Support Agency encourages people to reach their own agreements.
Agreements can include such things as payment of school fees or mortgage as well as cash payments.
A child support assessment can be changed by lodging an agreement. If an agreement is reached it can be registered with the Agency. Care needs to be taken in drawing up agreements if a carer is on a pension, if payments other than periodic payments are to be credited or if a lump sum or property is being transferred in lieu of future child support. It is always best to check with a family lawyer before finalising an agreement particularly if it is being done as part of an overall resolution of financial matters between separating couples. If couples agree, they can change the terms of an agreement at any time by making a further agreement.