How much child support a father has to pay in Australia is calculated by Services Australia Child Support Agency using formula based on both parents' incomes, care percentage and cost of children, not a fixed percentage. Formula takes each parent's adjusted taxable income minus self-support amount of about $27,000, then combines to get combined child support income, then calculates cost of children based on age, for example cost percentage is about 17% of combined income for one child, 24% for two, 27% for three. Then it apportions based on income share and care percentage. For example, if father earns $80,000 and mother earns $40,000, combined $120K, cost for one child 10 years old is about 17% of $120K = $20,400 per year, father's income share 66%, so he pays 66% of cost if mother has 100% care, so about $13,600 per year or $523 per fortnight, minus reduction if he has care. If father has 50% care, payment reduces significantly to about $200 to $300 per fortnight. If father earns $100K and mother $30K, one child, father pays about $700 to $900 per fortnight with mother 100% care. Minimum payment is $320 per year if low income. There is cap at $139,000 combined income for formula. Fathers can estimate via Child Support Estimator on Services Australia website. Child support is separate from spousal maintenance and is enforceable via tax return.
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