How to apply to the SSAT for review of a Child Support decision
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How to Apply
Applications for child support reviews can be lodged over the telephone, in writing (using an application form) or in person at any SSAT office.
You must give the following details to the SSAT:
- Your name and residential address;
- Your postal address (if different from your residential address);
- The telephone number of which you can be contacted during the business hours of the SSAT;
- The child support decision that you would like the SSAT to review; and
- The date of the decision.
Child support applications for review can also be lodged in writing at any Human Services Department office, including Child Support and Centrelink.
When to lodge an Application
There is no time limit for making an application to the SSAT for review of a decision of the Child Support Registrar on an objection to a care percentage decision.
In all other cases, an application for review by the SSAT of the decision of the Child Support Registrar must be lodged with a specified number of days of receipt of the decision. The number of days is 28 for a person who is resident in Australia and 90 days for a person who resides overseas in a reciprocating jurisdiction.
If it has been more than 28 days or 90 days (as the case may be) since receipt of the decision, it is necessary to ask the SSAT Principal Member for an extension of time to lodge an application for review. The request must state in writing the reasons for the person's failure to apply for review within the relevant period.
Costs
It costs nothing to apply to the SSAT. There are also no
penalties or fees if an application is withdrawn. It is important
to note that the SSAT cannot make orders for costs
against any other party or parties.
The SSAT may pay reasonable public transport travel expenses for a
party to attend the hearing.
Forms
SSAT application forms are available in both Portable Document
Format (PDF) and Rich Text Format (RTF). Hard-copies are available
from any office of the SSAT upon request.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the PDF version of forms.
It is available as a free download from the Adobe web site.
Viewing options and tools to assist with visually impaired access
to PDF files are available at the Adobe Accessibility Resource Centre. RTF
documents can be opened in most major word processing programs
(such as Microsoft Word and WordPerfect).
Application Forms (Child Support reviews)
To apply for a review of a CSA decision by the SSAT, print out the following application form, complete it and post it to the SSAT (online application is not yet available). You may want to make a copy for your own records.
Please note: The SSAT can only review CSA objection
decisions made on or after 1 January 2007.
SSAT Application for Review Form - Child Support decisions (pdf, 43KB)
SSAT Application for Review Form - Child Support decisions (rtf, 5.6MB)
Applicant Statement of Financial Circumstances (Child Support reviews)
The following form may or may not be required for your child support review - your SSAT case manager will let you know if you need to complete this form. These forms are usually required for all change of assessment reviews.
Applicant Statement of Financial Circumstances (Child Support reviews) (pdf, 50KB)
Applicant Statement of Financial Circumstances (Child Support reviews) (rtf, 3.7MB)
Help
You may wish to contact an organisation in your State or Territory for assistance with your application for review. The organisations listed in the following documents may be able to assist with your child support review however the SSAT can not guarantee whether an organisation will assist in any specific circumstance.
See also:
Information in Other Languages
Australian Capital Territory
CS Review Assistance - ACT (pdf, 32KB)
CS Review Assistance - ACT (rtf, 255KB)
New South Wales
CS Review Assistance - NSW (pdf, 37KB)
CS Review Assistance - NSW(rtf, 268KB)
Northern Territory
This section will be updated shortly.
Queensland
CS Review Assistance - QLD (pdf, 32KB)
CS Review Assistance - QLD (rtf, 254KB)
South Australia
CS Review Assistance - SA (pdf, 31KB)
CS Review Assistance - SA (rtf, 251KB)
Tasmania
CS Review Assistance - TAS (pdf, 31KB)
CS Review Assistance - TAS (rtf, 251KB)
Victoria
CS Review Assistance - VIC (pdf, 32KB)
CS Review Assistance - VIC (rtf, 386KB)
Western Australia
CS Review Assistance - WA (pdf, 35KB)
CS Review Assistance - WA (rtf, 469KB)