Payment of outstanding child support once the child has finished schooling/reached age 18
Dear Department of Social Services,
How are outstanding amounts of child support accessed from the paying parent, once the child has finished school and/or reached the age of 18, to be distributed to the non-paying parent who is owed the amount?
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you for your request.
I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (the Department) on 06 March 2022, in which you requested access
under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to:
‘How are outstanding amounts of child support accessed from the paying
parent, once the child has finished school and/or reached the age of 18,
to be distributed to the non-paying parent who is owed the amount?.’
I am reaching out to seek the below;
- Further clarification
Could you provide further details of the documents you are after, or
rephrase your request?
We have found that the wording of the request can be interpreted in two
different ways, and we want to ensure that we provide you with the correct
documents under the scope of your request.
- Removal of non-SES staff names and contact details
The Department is seeking your agreement to the removal of the names and
contact details of non-Senior Executive Service (non-SES) staff, which may
be contained within the documents identified in relation to your request.
Based on the scope of your request, this information does not appear
relevant to you, therefore we would like to remove it under section 22 of
the FOI Act.
Please respond to this email by 10 March 2022 to advise whether you agree
that this information is not relevant to you.
Decision due
The statutory period for processing your request is 30 days commencing
from the day after your request was received. If the due date falls on a
Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, in accordance with the FOI guidelines
issued by the Australian Information Commissioner, the timeframe will
expire on the first day following which is none of those days.
In accordance with paragraph (b) of subsection 15(5) of the FOI Act, a
decision on your request is currently due on Tuesday 5 April 2022.
When the processing period may be extended or suspended
The current due date may be extended by up to 30 days if agreed by you
(section 15AA of the FOI Act). The due date may also be extended by an
additional 30 days in each instance, if your request is considered
voluminous or complex (section 15AB of the FOI Act) or if the Department
is required to undertake a third party consultation (sections 26A, 27 or
27A of the FOI Act). If any of these extensions apply, the Department will
notify you.
Additionally, there are occasions where the time to process your request
may be suspended. This will usually take place if a practical refusal
consultation process takes place (section 24AB of the FOI Act) or if a
charges notice is issued to process your request (section 29 of the FOI
Act). If the Department decides that either of these apply to your
request, the Department will notify you.
The Department will correspond with you by email in relation to your FOI
request.
Should you have any queries about this matter, please do not hesitate to
contact the FOI team via email at [1][Department of Social Services request email].
Yours sincerely,
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information section
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [2][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
2. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear FOI,
The Department are seeking clarification as they are saying that the wording of my request can be taken more than one way.
I had not requested a document but was requesting information which as I read further on the RTK website does cause confusion and can mean that the information requested is not obtained.
I am uncertain of what document to request, but suggest that it would go under the heading:
"How are outstanding amounts of child support accessed from the paying parent, once the child has finished school and/or reached the age of 18"
The Department are requesting:
"Removal of non-SES staff names and contact details"
I am more than happy to comply with their request.
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Thomson
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you for your email.
I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (the Department) on 6 March 2022, in which you requested access
under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to:
‘How are outstanding amounts of child support accessed from the paying
parent, once the child has finished school and/or reached the age of 18,
to be distributed to the non-paying parent who is owed the amount?.’
The Families, Payments and Support Branch have advised that the documents
you seek are suitable to be released administratively. They have asked
that if you are comfortable with proceeding through administrative
release, you send your request to [1][email address].
The Families, Payments and Support Branch will respond to your questions,
and if you are able to provide your Child Support Identification Number,
your case can be reviewed and personalised information and advice can be
provided, (noting we are obligations to Privacy laws etc.). The team is
also able to engage with Services Australia to ensure all collection
activities are being undertaken. The response can also provide you with
relevant references to the Child Support Guide which provides a plain
English explanation of the Child Support Scheme.
Administrative release is the release of information outside the formal
access application under the FOI Act. In agreeing to an administrative
release, you waive the right to review the Department’s FOI decision,
which is associated with a formal FOI application. You are welcome to
submit a new freedom of information request after the administrative
release if you deem it necessary.
If you agree to an administrative release we ask you to advise us that you
withdraw your FOI request by replying to this email by COB 23 March 2022.
Kind Regards,
Ashleigh
FOI Officer
Corporate Law Section
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [2][email address]
-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Thomson <[3][FOI #8562 email]>
Sent: Saturday, 12 March 2022 11:27 AM
To: FOI <[4][Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: Re: FOI 2122-118 - acknowledgment - further clarification -
Payment of outstanding child support once the child has finished
schooling/reached age 18 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
The Department are seeking clarification as they are saying that the
wording of my request can be taken more than one way.
I had not requested a document but was requesting information which as I
read further on the RTK website does cause confusion and can mean that the
information requested is not obtained.
I am uncertain of what document to request, but suggest that it would go
under the heading:
"How are outstanding amounts of child support accessed from the paying
parent, once the child has finished school and/or reached the age of 18"
The Department are requesting:
"Removal of non-SES staff names and contact details"
I am more than happy to comply with their request.
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Thomson
-----Original Message-----
Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you for your request.
I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (the Department) on 06 March 2022, in which you requested access
under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to:
‘How are outstanding amounts of child support accessed from the paying
parent, once the child has finished school and/or reached the age of 18,
to be distributed to the non-paying parent who is owed the amount?.’
I am reaching out to seek the below;
- Further clarification
Could you provide further details of the documents you are after, or
rephrase your request?
We have found that the wording of the request can be interpreted in two
different ways, and we want to ensure that we provide you with the correct
documents under the scope of your request.
- Removal of non-SES staff names and contact details
The Department is seeking your agreement to the removal of the names and
contact details of non-Senior Executive Service (non-SES) staff, which may
be contained within the documents identified in relation to your request.
Based on the scope of your request, this information does not appear
relevant to you, therefore we would like to remove it under section 22 of
the FOI Act.
Please respond to this email by 10 March 2022 to advise whether you agree
that this information is not relevant to you.
Decision due
The statutory period for processing your request is 30 days commencing
from the day after your request was received. If the due date falls on a
Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, in accordance with the FOI guidelines
issued by the Australian Information Commissioner, the timeframe will
expire on the first day following which is none of those days.
In accordance with paragraph (b) of subsection 15(5) of the FOI Act, a
decision on your request is currently due on Tuesday 5 April 2022.
When the processing period may be extended or suspended
The current due date may be extended by up to 30 days if agreed by you
(section 15AA of the FOI Act). The due date may also be extended by an
additional 30 days in each instance, if your request is considered
voluminous or complex (section 15AB of the FOI Act) or if the Department
is required to undertake a third party consultation (sections 26A, 27 or
27A of the FOI Act). If any of these extensions apply, the Department will
notify you.
Additionally, there are occasions where the time to process your request
may be suspended. This will usually take place if a practical refusal
consultation process takes place (section 24AB of the FOI Act) or if a
charges notice is issued to process your request (section 29 of the FOI
Act). If the Department decides that either of these apply to your
request, the Department will notify you.
The Department will correspond with you by email in relation to your FOI
request.
Should you have any queries about this matter, please do not hesitate to
contact the FOI team via email at [1][Department of Social Services
request email].
Yours sincerely,
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information section
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [2][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. [5]mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
2. [6]mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[7][FOI #8562 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[8]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[FOI #8562 email]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
5. mailto:[department
6. mailto:[department
7. mailto:[FOI #8562 email]
8. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Good afternoon Elizabeth
Thank you for your continued cooperation while we work out how best to
help you access the information you have asked for in your FOI request.
Based on our communications to date, we understand you are seeking answers
to questions about accessing particular amounts of child support that are
outstanding as opposed to finding documents about the processing of child
support payments more generally. Please correct us if our understanding is
wrong.
The Department of Social Services is unlikely to hold the information you
seek
If that is the type of information you are looking for, this Department is
unlikely to have it. That type of information seems more closely related
to functions that are administered by Services Australia eg the
enforcement of child support assessments. Consequently, if you did wish to
continue with a formal FOI process then we would recommend that you
contact the Services Australia FOI team here [1]Freedom of information -
Services Australia.
The Child Support enquiry line is likely to be able to answer your
questions
Based on our understanding of the type of information you were looking
for, we contacted the team at the Child Support enquiry line (131 272) to
see if they could help. They have advised us that they can answer your
questions and would be more than happy to do so without the need for you
to go through a formal FOI process.
We acknowledge that we previously advised you to contact the Department
through the [2][email address] to pursue administrative release of
the information you were after. However, on reflection, that would involve
liaison with Services Australia in any event and so is not the best way to
resolve your need.
Your response please
We hope the above is of assistance. We understand that issues surrounding
child support can be quite stressful, and while we would like to be able
to answer your questions, this Department does not seem to be the best
place to do so.
With that in mind, we ask that you please respond to this email by end of
day Monday 28 March 2022 to let us know if you agree to withdraw your FOI
request with the Department of Social Services.
Kind Regards,
DSS FOI Team
References
Visible links
1. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/fre...
2. mailto:[email address]
Dear FOI,
Thank you for the information.
I will proceed as you have advised (contact CSA).
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Thomson
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you for your email.
I hope the below information was helpful and Services Australia were able
to assist with your enquiry.
I am reaching out to confirm if you agree to withdraw your Freedom of
Information request with the Department of Social Services.
We would be grateful of a response by 30 March 2022
Regards,
Ashleigh
FOI Officer
Corporate Law Section
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [1][email address]
-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Thomson <[2][FOI #8562 email]>
Sent: Friday, 25 March 2022 5:46 PM
To: FOI <[3][Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: Re: FOI 2122-118 - Next steps and further information
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
Thank you for the information.
I will proceed as you have advised (contact CSA).
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Thomson
-----Original Message-----
Good afternoon Elizabeth
Thank you for your continued cooperation while we work out how best to
help you access the information you have asked for in your FOI request.
Based on our communications to date, we understand you are seeking answers
to questions about accessing particular amounts of child support that are
outstanding as opposed to finding documents about the processing of child
support payments more generally. Please correct us if our understanding is
wrong.
The Department of Social Services is unlikely to hold the information you
seek
If that is the type of information you are looking for, this Department is
unlikely to have it. That type of information seems more closely related
to functions that are administered by Services Australia eg the
enforcement of child support assessments. Consequently, if you did wish to
continue with a formal FOI process then we would recommend that you
contact the Services Australia FOI team here [1]Freedom of information -
Services Australia.
The Child Support enquiry line is likely to be able to answer your
questions
Based on our understanding of the type of information you were looking
for, we contacted the team at the Child Support enquiry line (131 272) to
see if they could help. They have advised us that they can answer your
questions and would be more than happy to do so without the need for you
to go through a formal FOI process.
We acknowledge that we previously advised you to contact the Department
through the [2][email address] to pursue administrative release of
the information you were after. However, on reflection, that would involve
liaison with Services Australia in any event and so is not the best way to
resolve your need.
Your response please
We hope the above is of assistance. We understand that issues surrounding
child support can be quite stressful, and while we would like to be able
to answer your questions, this Department does not seem to be the best
place to do so.
With that in mind, we ask that you please respond to this email by end of
day Monday 28 March 2022 to let us know if you agree to withdraw your FOI
request with the Department of Social Services.
Kind Regards,
DSS FOI Team
References
Visible links
1. [4]https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/fre...
2. [5]mailto:[email address]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[6][FOI #8562 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[7]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[FOI #8562 email]
3. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
4. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/fre...
5. mailto:[email
6. mailto:[FOI #8562 email]
7. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
I agree to withdraw my Freedom of
Information request with the Department of Social Services.
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Thomson
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]