The CSA takes fraud seriously
The CSA understands it can be a difficult decision to make an allegation that someone has committed fraud. It is easy to doubt yourself, think that it’s best not to say anything or that we may not take your report seriously.
It is in everyone’s interest to support the child support scheme and the CSA takes all reports of fraud seriously. When people do not pay the right amount of child support or behave fraudulently, it is often the community that pays.
Child Support fraud includes (but is not limited to):
- Child support customers who are living together in a ‘marriage like relationship’ but claim to be separated.
- Employers failing to deduct an amount from paying parent’s salary or wage or failing to forward (to the CSA) an amount that has been deducted.
- A parent earning money ‘cash-in-hand’ and not declaring it, which means their assessment may not determine the correct amount of child support.
- Impersonating a CSA officer.
- Evidence a parent is working but not reporting their full income, therefore they are not receiving or paying the correct level of child support.
- Someone claiming child support who no longer has the child/ren living with them.
Examples of fraud:
Falsifying documents
Tonya and Jacob are the separated parents of a 12 year old girl. There is a dispute between the pair about each others level of care in the past 10 months. Jacob claims he has had the child for 21 days and nights and has sworn statements from his local doctor and child care facility to support his claim. Tonya claims that Jacob has had the child for only 12 days and 10 nights and says that her new partner was witness to these occasions and would make a sworn statement if needed. Each parent claims that the other parent is being untruthful in regards to their level of care. The CSA investigates and finds that Jacob forged the statements from his doctor and child care facility therefore had participated in fraudulent behaviour. The CSA may now pass this information on to the Australian Federal Police or the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.Child support customers who are living together in a ‘marriage like relationship’ but claim to be separated.
Jane registers a new case to receive child support from Rob. Rob already has an existing child support case with Kylie. Kylie reports to the CSA that Rob informed her that Jane was going to claim child support from him. Kylie also states that she frequently sees Jane and Rob together at social gatherings and that to her knowledge they still live in the same premises. Kylie says that she believes that Jane and Rob still have a marriage like relationship. The CSA investigates and finds that Rob does indeed still live in the same residence as Jane in a marriage like relationship. Rob and Jane are both involved in fraudulent behaviour by trying to minimise Rob’s child support responsibilities. The matter is also referred to Centrelink to investigate if Jane has received any additional welfare payments. The CSA may now pass this information on to the Australian Federal Police or the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
You can report fraudulent behaviour by doing the following:
- If you are a CSA customer you can contact the CSA to report fraud on 131 272 or fill out the online form. We will protect your privacy and confidentiality, and will discuss the matter with you in detail.
- If you are not a child support customer you can contact the tip-off line on 131 524 or report online via the DHS/CSA website if you have evidence that a child support customer (or third party) is behaving fraudulently by visiting www.dhs.gov.au or www.csa.gov.au
You can remain anonymous, and the information you provide will help ensure the integrity of the child support scheme.
The CSA will assess the information provided and determine if an investigation is warranted. This can result in the matter being referred to the Australian Federal Police or the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution (for legal action).
The CSA is committed to a tough compliance strategy that ensures all paying parents meet their child support responsibilities in full and on time. While most parents do the right thing, the CSA will pursue parents who unfairly advantage themselves through fraudulent activity such as inaccurate income reporting and non payment.
Due to privacy laws, we are unable to provide you with information about any investigations that may occur as a result of information you provide.
Help keep the child support scheme healthy - report fraud.