Child Support Referral Services
Family Relationship Advice Line
If you want information and referrals to support services to help with your personal and interpersonal relationships or you are looking for Family Dispute Resolution services call the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321.
Financial Counselling Australia
Financial Counselling Australia provides free, independent and confidential information, support and advocacy to assist people with a wide range of financial problems. Call 1800 007 007 to speak to a financial counsellor or for a referral for face to face services.
1800RESPECT (call 1800 737 732)
1800RESPECT provides a professional 24/7 telephone and online, crisis and trauma counselling service to anyone whose life has been impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence.
Me and my series
The Me and my booklets provide helpful information, advice and ideas on how to maintain your relationship with your children after separation, manage your money and look after yourself.
eNews for parents
Subscribe to eNews for parents to receive the latest news and information about Child Support and other government payments and services.
Quick links
- Read The Child Support Guide—our guidelines for administering the Child Support Scheme
- Find your nearest DHS Service Centre
- Visit the Family Relationships Online website
- Visit the Financial Counselling Australia website
- Read Me and my money
- Read Me and my kids
- Read Me, my kids and my ex
- Read Me and my changing family
- Read What about me?
Our services include:
- referrals to third party services such as the Family Relationship Advice Line, MensLine Australia, 1800RESPECT or Financial Counselling Australia
- support products and services that can provide you and your family with helpful information and advice to help with the changes to your situation
- Child Support Online Services (currently known as CSAonline), a quick, easy and secure way to manage your Child Support where and when it suits you. You can receive letters and statements, send us a message, let us know if your care levels change, update your personal details and check your payment details
- the Child Support Information Service, an automated telephone service that gives Child Support-receiving parents information about their Child Support account 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- our website that offers helpful tools and interactive activities, such as a budgeting tool and interactive children’s game to help you and your family with separation and family issues.
Separation is a time of many changes and it’s important you seek support if you need it.
There are a number of groups, websites, publications and services available to support separated and single parents as well as children.
Some of the groups that support parents are:
- Drummond Street Services (incorporating Stepfamilies Australia
- Dads in Distress (support group)
- National Council for Single Mothers and their Children (national peak body)
- Lone Fathers Association of Australia (a national peak body)
Information you need to know
Family Relationship Advice Line (FRAL)
The Family Relationship Advice Line (FRAL) is a national telephone service that helps families affected by relationship or separation issues. The advice line is available to anyone affected by separation including parents, grandparents, children, young people, step-parents or friends. FRAL provides information on family relationship issues and advice on parenting arrangements after separation. It can also refer people to local services that can provide assistance. The advice line complements the information and services offered by Family Relationship Centres. Call 1800 050 321.
Financial Counselling Australia
Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) provides free, independent and confidential information, support and advocacy to assist people with a wide range of financial problems. Financial counsellors can provide information, support and advocacy to assist people in financial difficulty. If you need help managing your financial situation, a financial counsellor can help you understand your options to help you get back on track. Call 1800 007 007.
1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
1800RESPECT – call 1800 737 732 – is the national sexual assault, domestic or family violence counselling service available for people living in Australia. They provide free, confidential and professional 24/7 telephone and online crisis and trauma counselling to anyone whose life has been impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence. They also provide recovery support to any one affected, including friends and family. Call 1800 737 732.
Resources
Support services in the community
A range of government and private organisations can provide support services to members of separated families—mums, dads, non-parent carers and children.
Some community services you might find useful:
- Family Relationship Centres are run by qualified staff who deliver confidential and impartial services such as mediation and are able to link you up with other services if necessary. They also offer the Children’s Contact Service, which provides a safe, reliable and neutral place where a parent can hand their children over to the other parent for visits, or where time can be spent with a child under supervision.
- call the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321 or go to Family Relationships Online for more information.
Counselling services
Separation is a time of many changes and it is important you seek counselling help if you need it.
Support services
Separation is a time of many changes and it is important you seek support if you need it.
There are a number of groups, websites, publications and services available to support separated and single parents as well as children.
Some of the groups that support parents are:
- Drummond Street Services (incorporating Stepfamilies Australia)
- Dads in Distress (support group)
- National Council for Single Mothers and their Children (national peak body)
- Lone Fathers Association of Australia (a national peak body)
Useful contacts while paying or receiving Child Support
You may find this contact information useful if you pay or receive Child Support.
Budgeting tool
Our budgeting tool will help you prepare a budget after separation. It gives you a series of simple steps to help you work out your income, living costs and savings.
Many people do not know where to start to manage their money. Taking control of your money will help you take control of your life and let you plan ahead with confidence.
The budgeting tool will take you through the simple steps to prepare your own budget. Start with income, and then work out your living costs to find out how much you have left for savings.
The time and care spent preparing your budget is well worth the effort.
It is a good idea to revisit your budget often to see if your estimated living costs are correct. Be sure to check for any changes to your income or living expenses.
Separated families' support materials
We have several publications to support families going through separation.