If the child was born prior to 1 October 1989 and you also separated from the child's other parent prior to that date, you should contact the Magistrates’ Court from which you normally receive the cheque.

If the child was born on or after 1 October 1989 and the parties also separated on or after that date, you should contact the Child Support Agency. The Child Support Agency can be contacted by telephone on 131272.  Further information is available from their website - www.csa.gov.au - see link in the panel to the right.

If you find that you are not receiving maintenance payments for your child(ren), you should seek legal advice. Your solicitor will be able to assist you or you may contact Legal Aid for general legal advice.

Family Law legislation allows the continuing payment of child maintenance where the child is over the age of 18. You should check the details of your current maintenance order as some may contain clauses allowing for the possibility of the child remaining a full time student after their 18th birthday. If the order does not contain a clause like this, an application needs to be made to the court were the original order was made.

If your child/ren were born prior to 1989, an application needs to be made by the primary carer of the child, to the Magistrates’ Court.

If the child/ren were born after 1989, the child’s primary carer must apply to the Child Support Agency. The Child Support Agency can be contacted by telephone on 131272.  Further information is available from their website - www.csa.gov.au - see link in the panel to the right..