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Investigation report on Child Support system
An investigation by the Commonwealth Ombudsman, released in June 2025, found the Government agency, Services Australia, is not doing enough to identify and respond to financial abuse through the Child Support program. This financial abuse is commonly referred to as 'the weaponisation of Child Support'.
The Ombudsman made 8 recommendations, including process review and that the Government introduce a Bill to amend the law to address limitations that impede enforcement action, fetter information sharing, and require survivors of abuse to disclose sensitive information to their former partner.
The Ombudsman’s investigation reviewed more than 270 complaints received by the Office, as well as academic research and information provided by Australian Government agencies.
Kindly click here to access the investigation report.
Source: The Commonwealth Ombudsman, Australia
