Understanding Child Support: What’s the Difference Between Periodic and Non-Periodic Support?
Navigating child support can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re already managing the emotional and practical challenges of separation and co-parenting. One of the most common questions we hear is what amount you can expect to pay or receive in child support and how is child support determined.
In this post, we’ll break down these two types of child support, explain how they’re assessed or agreed upon, and highlight what you need to know if you’re trying to create a fair and workable arrangement.
What Is Periodic Child Support?
Periodic child support refers to regular payments—usually made weekly, fortnightly, or monthly—from one parent to the other to help cover the day-to-day costs of raising a child. These payments can either be:
- Privately agreed between the parents, or
- Assessed by Services Australia, using a standard formula.
The amount is calculated based on several factors, including:
- The number of nights the children spend with each parent
- Each parent’s income
- The number and age of the children
If you’d like to get an idea of what a periodic child support assessment might look like in your situation, you can use the Services Australia child support estimator tool here.
Periodic support is the most common type of child support and is designed to help cover essential, ongoing needs like food, housing, clothing, and other basics.
What Is Non-Periodic Child Support?
Non-periodic child support refers to agreed contributions that cover specific costs. This could include things like:
- School fees and related expenses
- Extracurricular activities (including sport, music lessons, or tutoring)
- Medical and dental expenses, including gap payments
- Other one-off or ongoing costs
Unlike periodic support, non-periodic support is not assessed by Services Australia. It’s something that parents often agree to pay as part of their family law settlement as it can be a helpful way to share the cost of particular expenses that are important to the child’s wellbeing.
Making Non-Periodic Support Legally Binding
Because non-periodic support is based on agreement between the two parents, the only way to make it legally enforceable is through a Binding Child Support Agreement (BCSA). This is a formal legal document that both parents must enter into voluntarily—and crucially, both must receive independent legal advice before signing.
A BCSA can be created on its own or as part of your broader property or parenting settlement. It gives both parties clarity and peace of mind, especially when significant costs are involved.
Why These Distinctions Matter
Understanding the difference between periodic and non-periodic child support can help you:
- Create a child-focused, realistic financial plan
- Avoid confusion or conflict about who pays for what
- Ensure the needs of your children are consistently met, both now and in the future
Whether you’re just starting the conversation or ready to formalise an agreement, knowing your options is a powerful first step.
Support When You Need It
At De Saxe O’Neill Family Lawyers, we help families work through these decisions with care, clarity, and respect. If you’re unsure where to begin—or want to explore your options for a binding agreement—contact our team for guidance. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
