Section 70NCEFamily Law Act 1975 (Cth)

Rules relating to child maintenance orders and child support

Sentences of imprisonment for contravention of child maintenance orders

(1) The court must not make an order imposing a sentence of imprisonment on the respondent under subparagraph 70NBF(1)(d)(ii), in respect of a contravention of a child maintenance order made under this Act, unless the court is satisfied that the contravention was intentional or fraudulent.

(2) To avoid doubt, the serving by the respondent of a period of imprisonment imposed under subparagraph 70NBF(1)(d)(ii) for failure to make a payment under a child maintenance order does not affect the respondent’s liability to make the payment.

Court must not imprison respondent for contravention of child support assessments etc.

(3) The court must not make an order imposing a sentence of imprisonment on the respondent under subparagraph 70NBF(1)(d)(ii) in respect of:

(a) a contravention of an administrative assessment of child support made under the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989; or

(b) a breach of a child support agreement made under that Act; or

(c) a contravention of an order made by a court under Division 4 of Part 7 of that Act for a departure from such an assessment (including such an order that contains matters mentioned in section 141 of that Act).

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 May 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au. Verify the current text against the official source before relying on it.

Related sections

Research how courts apply s 70NCE

BriefBridge searches Australian caselaw by meaning — every answer cited to the paragraph.

Try BriefBridge free