A father's child maintenance payment isn't a fixed amount but depends on both parents' incomes, the child's age, and the percentage of time the child spends with each parent, calculated using a government formula (like Services Australia) to determine the costs met through care versus payments, with different rates for shared care versus primary care arrangements. Higher income for the paying parent and less care time generally mean higher payments, with formulas adjusting for shared care (e.g., 35-65% care time) and potentially setting minimums or fixed rates for low-income earners.
In Australia, a father's child support payment isn't a fixed amount but is calculated by Services Australia (processing.csa.gov.au) based on both parents' combined income, the child's age, and the percentage of time each parent spends with the child (care arrangements). The calculation uses a "Costs of Children" table, with higher combined incomes and younger children generally leading to higher costs, and payment amounts are adjusted for each parent's share of care and income, with a minimum payment often required.
Possibly. While having 50/50 custody or care does suggest equal responsibility for child care, it doesn't necessarily mean that no child support is payable. Even when both parents share care equally, child support payments can still occur if there's a difference between the income of each parent.
Yes, courts can and do award shared care arrangements to fathers, provided it is in the best interests of the child and safe to do so. Even in cases where communication between the parents cannot be easily facilitated, parenting apps or handover books can be used as a safe tool for communication between contact.
There isn't a universal "minimum" child support payment; it depends heavily on your country and specific circumstances, but often involves low-income payers contributing a set minimum (e.g., around $500+ annually in Australia for low earners) if their calculated amount is less, or if they don't have regular care, while private agreements allow parents to set their own amount. The actual minimum is determined by government agencies (like Services Australia) based on income, care arrangements, and child age, with higher care reducing or eliminating the payment.
The biggest mistake in a custody battle is losing sight of the child's best interests by prioritizing parental conflict, anger, or revenge, which courts view very negatively. This often manifests as bad-mouthing the other parent, alienating the child, refusing to cooperate, or involving the child in disputes, all of which signal poor co-parenting and harm the case.
Still, full custody for fathers is far less common than full custody for mothers. Whether this is due to bias against fathers is a hotly debated topic. Overall, many courts prefer awarding joint custody to both parents. Custody cases don't change much when two dads are at odds.
Moving out during a divorce is often considered a big mistake because it can negatively affect child custody, create immediate financial hardship (paying two households), weaken your negotiating power, and make it difficult to access important documents, while courts prefer maintaining the status quo for stability unless there's abuse. Voluntarily leaving can signal to a judge that you're less involved with the children and the home, making it harder to argue for equal time or possession later, even if your name is on the mortgage or lease.
However, there is no set guidelines for reasonable access for father. Each family is unique and reasonable access for fathers depends on the individual circumstances. Some fathers see their children every day, while others might see them just once a month.
You might be surprised to learn about fathers getting 50/50 custody in Australia. A 2014 survey revealed that children spent equal time with both parents in just 9% of cases. The statistics tell a different story from what most people believe about equal parenting time.
Studies overwhelmingly favor joint physical custody, showing that kids in shared arrangements tend to have higher self-esteem, fewer emotional issues, and better academic performance than those in sole custody (Bauserman, 2002).
No, a father generally cannot simply refuse to pay child support in Australia; it's a legal obligation, and failing to pay leads to serious enforcement actions like wage deductions, tax refund intercepts, asset seizure, or even travel bans by Services Australia. While you can apply for reassessments or payment plans if you genuinely can't pay, refusing payment will result in the government taking action to recover the debt.
About 86% of parents who received cash child support payments had a legal or informal agreement in place with the child's other parent. Nationwide, $20. 2 billion in cash child support payments were received by parents in 2021, with the average monthly payment totaling $441.
Maximum rate for FTB Part A for each (fortnightly payment):
$222.04 for a child 0 to 12 years. $288.82 for a child 13 to 15 years. $288.82 for a child 16 to 19 years who meets the study requirements $71.26 for a child 0 to 19 years in an approved care organisation.
The four behaviors that predict over 90% of divorces, known as Dr. John Gottman's "Four Horsemen," are Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling, which erode connection, respect, and safety, leading to relationship breakdown. These destructive communication patterns, if persistent, signal that a marriage is likely to end, with contempt being the most damaging.
Why We Feel Regret After Divorce
It's not a question of good or bad, but rather how the court could perceive your leaving early. If you or your husband or wife moved out before the divorce is finalized, the court might be less inclined to award you shared property, child custody, alimony, and other important outcomes in the divorce settlement.
The term “unstable parent” can have various interpretations, but generally, it refers to a parent who may struggle with providing a consistent, safe, and nurturing environment for their child.
70/30 Parenting Schedule
There are several different ways this can be accomplished, including the following: The child spends the week (Monday - Friday) with parent A, and the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) with parent B. The child spends two consecutive weeks (14 days) with parent A and one week (7 days) with parent B.
Child abuse or neglect is one of the most serious reasons a mother might lose custody. Abuse can take many forms, including physical harm, emotional manipulation, or sexual abuse. Neglect, on the other hand, refers to failing to meet a child's basic needs, such as providing food, shelter, medical care, or education.
The most common examples are gifted and inherited assets. Money or property given to one spouse as a gift, or received through an inheritance, is generally considered separate property and cannot be touched in a divorce, as long as it has been kept separate.
The "9-minute rule" in parenting, or the 9-Minute Theory, suggests that focusing on three specific 3-minute windows each day creates significant connection and security for children: the first three minutes after they wake up, the three minutes after they return from school/daycare, and the last three minutes before sleep, emphasizing distraction-free, quality time to boost well-being and reduce parental guilt.
The 3 C's of divorce are typically Communication, Compromise, and Cooperation, principles that help divorcing couples, especially those with children, navigate the process more smoothly by focusing on respectful dialogue, finding middle grounds, and working together for the children's well-being. Applying these fosters less conflict and better outcomes, prioritizing the children's welfare over past grievances.