Protecting families from the weaponisation of child support
The Albanese Labor Government invested $183 million in this week's Budget to make the child support system safer, and to help more children get the support they are owed. These historic reforms will help prevent the weaponisation of the child support system and protect parents and children from financial abuse. We have had many personal stories shared with us about how the child support system is being weaponised to abuse and intimidate parents and how children are missing out on getting the financial support they need.
These reforms will make a real difference for families doing it tough, especially for women experiencing abuse. There is more than $1.9 billion of unpaid child support in Australia. There are almost 100,000 parents and carers in the child support system who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing family and domestic violence.
Australian children deserve better. This reform package includes the first major changes to the child support system in nearly 20 years and will improve every element of the system, from initial assessment through to payment and compliance, with measures which will help parents navigate the system more easily, keep parents and children safer and help ensure payments are made.
These reforms deliver on Labor’s 2025 election commitment to address financial abuse in the Commonweath’s systems, and they respond to the calls of women’s safety and child support advocates over many years. The Government’s reforms include: This package of measures will be implemented progressively from 2026 with the first legislative amendments to be introduced to the parliament in coming months.
These reforms build on the Albanese Government’s 2023 legislative changes to improve fairness by improving timely collection of child support owed and to reduce the accumulation of debts. More information can be found on the Department of Social Services website “These are the most significant changes to the child support system since 2008 and they will make a meaningful difference in the lives of families.
“Child support should never be used as a tool for control or coercion, these reforms put us on the path towards making the system safer for women and ensuring children get the financial support they are owed and get that support safely. “I have heard too many stories from women about how the system is being weaponised against them, this package takes practical steps to protect them and hold parents who are not paying their child support to account.” ““These historic reforms will make the child support system easier to navigate and will ensure more parents and children receive what they are owed, on time and in full.
“The child support system should never be able to be used to punish, harass and control ex-partners and deny children the support they deserve. “These reforms mean we will crack down on ex-partners continuing financial abuse and get children the support they are owed.” If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit (link is external) www.1800respect.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit (link is external) www.ntv.org.au MensLine Australia Services are available if you are concerned about your wellbeing, relationships, and behaviour on 1300 789 978 or by visiting (link is external) www.mensline.org.au Feeling worried or no good?
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