Departures and objections

The child support assessment can be varied or discharged, the procedure for which will depend on the grounds on which a variation is sought. In most cases, the parties will seek an internal review of the assessment from the CSA and if not satisfied with that outcome, will appeal to the AAT for a review.

The Family Court (of Australia and in WA, the Family Court of Western Australia) and the Federal Circuit Court have jurisdiction to hear applications in child support matters in limited circumstances, namely:

• • on appeal from the Social Services & Child Support Division (SSCS Division) of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) on a question of law; or
• • when the parties have associated (ie financial or related parenting) proceedings before the court and the court considers it appropriate to deal with the child support application at the same time.

See Departures and objections.