Ano* came to Australia after meeting Johnny through a mutual friend. She is learning English, but still has some difficulties in communicating. Ano is now separated from Johnny and is the primary carer of their children, relying solely on Centrelink benefits and child support.
Ano did not understand the separation processes, including child support. After looking over the documents, North Queensland Women’s Legal Service found that Johnny had been underpaying her by thousands of dollars of child support. North Queensland Women’s Legal Service appealed to the Child Support agency on Ano’s behalf.
Johnny has begun to pay back the child support that Ano and the children should rightfully have had and she is now relieved that the financial stress on her family has been reduced.
*Not her real name.