CS2716: Extend Child Support Past 18 for School

What is Extend child support past 18 for school (CS2716)?

Child support normally ends when a child turns 18. Form CS2716, Child older than 18 in full-time secondary education, asks Services Australia (Child Support) to extend it until the last day of the secondary school year in which the child — or a relevant dependent child — turns 18.

You can apply if you already have a child support assessment or agreement, you're entitled to receive child support (or you're the parent, for a relevant dependent child), the child is at least 17 now, turns 18 on or before the last day of the school year and will be in full-time secondary education then. Without an agreement, the easiest way is your Child Support online account; if you have a child support agreement you must use this form, and the other parent may need to sign it too.

FileIt walks you through the current edition (CS2716.2506) and prints your answers into Services Australia's own PDF. It checks the child's age against the last day of school, adds the other parent's declaration only when you need it, and saves the finished form to your FileIt vault. You return it to Child Support yourself.

Who fills it: The parent entitled to receive child support (or the parent, for a relevant dependent child)
Given to: Services Australia (Child Support) — online, by post or by fax
When: Before the child turns 18 — the child must be at least 17
Signatures: You; the other parent too in some agreement cases
Online option: Your Child Support online account, unless you have a child support agreement
Edition: CS2716.2506

Who needs to fill out Extend child support past 18 for school (CS2716)?

Parents receiving child support for a child who will still be in Year 12 (or other full-time secondary education) when they turn 18.
Parents with a child support agreement, who can't apply online and must use this form.
Parents asking for a relevant dependent child in their care to keep being counted in their child support assessment.

When to use Extend child support past 18 for school (CS2716)

When your child is at least 17 and will turn 18 on or before the last day of the secondary school year.
Before the child turns 18. If they're already 18, don't use the form — call 131 272; a late application is accepted only in exceptional circumstances outside your control.
If you get Family Tax Benefit: not applying for the extension may affect those payments.

What you need before you start

Your Child Support Customer Reference Number (CRN), if known, and your contact details.
The child's full name and date of birth.
The school's name, address and phone number.
The name of the course the child is completing, such as Year 12.
The last day of the school year for the child — the later of the last day of exams for their year level and the last day of classes.
The other parent's signature if you've always used a child support agreement that doesn't say child support ends at 18.

What’s on Extend child support past 18 for school (CS2716)

The 2025 edition has 4 pages. FileIt asks for it in 5 parts, and it is signed by Parent applying and Other parent:

Your details (questions 1-6)Parent applying
Child's details (questions 7-9)Parent applying
School and course (questions 10-14)Parent applying
Your declaration (question 16)Parent applying
Other parent's declaration (question 17)Other parent

How to fill out Extend child support past 18 for school (CS2716), step by step

1 Your details (questions 1–6)

Your CRN if known, name, date of birth, permanent and postal addresses, and your home, mobile and work phone numbers and email. Giving a mobile number or email means you may get SMS or emails from Services Australia.

2 Child's details (questions 7–9)

The child's name and date of birth, then tick whether this is a child for whom you pay or receive child support, or a relevant dependent child to be considered in your assessment. A relevant dependent child can be your biological or adopted child, a stepchild a court order says you must maintain, or a child from artificial conception or surrogacy — in your care for at least 128 nights a year.

3 School and course (questions 10–14)

The school's name, address and phone number, the course being completed, and the last day of the school year. Services Australia may check with the school that the course is full-time secondary education, and you may be asked for evidence of the last day if the other party disputes it.

4 Declarations (questions 16–17)

You sign and date your declaration. The other parent signs question 17 if you have always used a child support agreement and it does not say child support ends when the child turns 18.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting until after the child's 18th birthday — apply while they're 17.
Guessing the last day of school: it's the later of the last exam day for the child's year level and the last day of classes, as set by the school.
Leaving out the other parent's signature when your arrangement has always been a child support agreement that doesn't end at 18.
Forgetting to date the declaration — the form says you must.

After you fill it out

Sign and date it (and have the other parent sign if needed) — by hand, or by sending it for e-signature from FileIt.

Return it with a copy of any supporting documents: online, by signing in to your Child Support online account (or the Express Plus Child Support app) and choosing Upload documents (document type 'care evidence'); by post to Services Australia, Child Support, GPO Box 9815, MELBOURNE VIC 3001; or by fax to 1300 309 949. Keep a copy for your records.

A copy stays in your FileIt vault.

Fill out Extend child support past 18 for school (CS2716) online with FileIt

Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 36 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real Services Australia (Child Support) form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault. Sign it, or send it for e-signature.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

Start Extend child support past 18 for school (CS2716) now — it’s free

Extend child support past 18 for school (CS2716): frequently asked questions

What does form CS2716 do?

It asks Services Australia to extend child support until the last day of the secondary school year in which your child, or relevant dependent child, turns 18, while they're in full-time secondary education.

Can I apply online instead?

Yes, through your Child Support online account (via myGov) — unless you have a child support agreement. With an agreement you must use this form.

My child is already 18. Can I still apply?

The form says not to complete it. In exceptional circumstances outside your control that stopped you applying earlier, Services Australia may accept a late application — call 131 272.

When does the other parent need to sign?

When you have always used a child support agreement to set your child support and the agreement does not state that child support ends when the child turns 18.

What if our agreement says child support ends at 18?

Then the assessment can't be extended. You can make a new agreement to continue child support before the child turns 18, and then apply with this form signed by both parents.

Where do I send it?

Upload it through your Child Support online account or the Express Plus Child Support app (document type 'care evidence'), post it to Services Australia, Child Support, GPO Box 9815, Melbourne VIC 3001, or fax it to 1300 309 949.

Official sources

Blank form (PDF), published by Services Australia (Child Support): https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-06/cs2716-2506en-f.pdf
Official instructions and guidance: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/cs2716
Edition shown on this page: CS2716.2506 (checked 2026-09-28).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Services Australia (Child Support) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-09-28.