The Donkin Method ( A summary)

The Donkin Method for Child Support calculations is designed to provide a solution to the question of how a fair and reasonable child support system can be attained.

There is little doubt that the best outcome for children occurs when mum and dad share the responsibilities of parenting.

Shared parenting is best for kids.When separation of the parents occurs there is no reason why parent s should not be able to continue sharing the parenting of children.(1) Looking from the children’s perspective there is no reason why they should not continue to have both mum and dad parenting them.

It is a parents right to equally parent a child and a childs right to be parented by both parents.

The principle of equal parental responsibility is the basis of the Donkin Method of Child Support.

It is neither parent’s responsibility to support the other financially. It is each parent’s responsibility to support the children.

The level of support is based on the essential needs of children.

Number of children / Essential Needs
1/ 5200
2/ 7200
3 or More / 10000

These figures are examples only.(2)

The amount of child support payable is the equal responsibility of both parents.

Number of children /Essential Needs /Parent 1 /Parent 2
1 /5200 /2600 /2600
2 /7200 /3600 /3600
3 or More /10000 /5200 /5200

Each day is divided in two periods. AM/PM

For parents who equally share care no child support is payable by either parent.

Period/
Day /Mo/Tu/We/Th/Fr/Sa/Su
AM P1 P1 P1 P1 P2 P2 P2
PM P1 P1 P1 P2 P2 P2 P2

For parents who choose to enter into a negotiated agreement to vary their shared care arrangement, because it is best for the children, ,payment of support is calculated as follows. (Where private support agreement between parents cannot be reached.If parents work support issues out among themselves there is no need for State involvement.)

For example Parent 1 has the 1 child Monday to Friday and Parent 2 has the children Saturday and Sunday

Period/
Day /Mo/Tu/We/Th/Fr/Sa/Su
AM P1 P1 P1 P1 P1 P2 P2
PM P1 P1 P1 P1 P1 P2 P2

1. Support Payable per AM/PM period is $7.13

2. Number of periods in care of Parent 1 is 10

3. Support payable to parent 1 is $71.30

4. Number of periods in care of Parent 2 is 4

5. Support payable to parent 2 is $28.52

6. Offset results in payment of $ 42.78 to parent 1

Exclusions

This method is not designed to cope with those paying parents who are who are beneficiaries or low income earners.

(1) Note — It is accepted that in a very small number of cases that some mums and dads will be unfit to parent their children. This very small percentage of parents should not be seen as a reason to the very large percentage of mums and dads who are good parents.
(2) The figures used in the illustrations are taken from the living allowance given in the Child Support Act 1991

Regards

Scrap

Note

This is the model being advocated by Parents for Children

Parents for Children

Parents for Children is a national organisation seeking legislative change to enable parents who have separated to continue parenting and supporting their children.
This requires:
1.Presumptive shared parenting
2. A fair and reasonable child support system