Split care

Split care is when parents with 2 or more children are living apart and each parent has the care of at least 1 of their children.

Note when considering the principal caregiver, you should be aware that other terms used by the Family Court are 'day to day care' not 'custody, and 'parenting order' not 'custody order'.

In a split care situation you can only pay Sole Parent Support to one parent unless there is a court order recognising each parent as the principal caregiver of at least one child. When there is a court-ordered spilt care arrangement, both parents can receive Sole Parent Support.

For more information see

• Court ordered split care arrangements
• No court ordered split care arrangement
• Determining whether a care arrangement is sanctioned by the Family Court
• Privacy Act implications
• Assistance for the parent not qualified for Sole Parent Support
• When to consider Emergency Maintenance Allowance for split care