If you received too much child support

If you got more child support than you were entitled to, you may need to pay it back. We’ll contact you and explain why the overpayment happened, and if you’re legally required to repay it. We’ll also tell you:

• how much you need to repay
• how you can pay it back
• what to do if you can’t repay the full amount.

What happens if you don’t pay back the overpayment

If you don’t start paying the money back or make a payment arrangement, we may take action to recover the overpayment.

We may use future child support payments, Centrelink payments or tax refunds to repay the overpayment. If using your tax refund would cause you hardship, call us on the Child Support enquiry line before you lodge your tax return.

Find out more about how we recover child support debts.

How an overpayment affects Family Tax Benefit

If you’re overpaid child support, this may affect your Family Tax Benefit.

If you received too much child support and have to repay an amount, you can ask for a review of your Family Tax Benefit. You must do this within 52 weeks of the child support overpayment being created.

Find out more about child support and your Family Tax Benefit Part A.