The Government of Canada has announced that new Federal Child Support Tables will come into effect on October 1, 2025.
These updated tables will apply in every province and territory and are THE tool used to calculate the amount of child support payable by non-custodial parents under Canadian law. All professionals involved in family law including judges, lawyers, mediators, financial advisors, and support enforcement agencies are urged to familiarize themselves with these changes and to begin informing clients and families as early as possible.
The Child Support Tables are typically updated every 5 years to reflect current tax rules and income data. The last revision occurred in 2017. However, the 2025 update was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The upcoming changes are based on updated federal and provincial tax laws, which directly impact how much disposable income parents have available to contribute to child support.
Here are some of the cold facts:
- New Low-Income Threshold: Under the 2025 Tables, parents earning less than $16,000 annually will have a basic child support obligation of $0. This is an increase from the previous threshold of $13,000 under the 2017 Tables. This change reflects updated tax deductions and cost-of-living considerations and aims to ensure that child support obligations are fair and realistic for low-income parents.
- Revised Support Amounts for Incomes Between $16,000 and $45,000: Significant differences (mostly decreases) in basic monthly child support amounts will apply for parents with incomes in this range. The adjustments are due to new calculations of net disposable income and tax credits.
- Minor Changes for Incomes Over $45,000: For parents earning more than $45,000, changes to the child support amounts are small, typically within a 1% to 2% range, especially where there are one or two children involved. Though less impactful than the low and mid-income brackets, these small changes may still affect long-term support obligations or spousal support calculations that consider child support amounts.
The updated Tables do not automatically change existing child support amounts. However, if the newly calculated child support amount differs significantly from the current order or agreement, parents can update the arrangement either by consent (through negotiation or mediation) or by applying to vary the order in court, if necessary. Professionals should advise clients to revisit their existing child support arrangements after October 1, 2025, to determine if a revision is warranted.
All professional advisors should stay informed, ensure that their tools, calculators, and practice materials are updated with the new Tables and advise clients early. If the clients are involved in enforcement or collection processes, professional advisors should ensure consistency in applying the new amounts where appropriate.
The 2025 Federal Child Support Tables will be available online through the Department of Justice Canada website prior to October 1. Updated resources, FAQs, and calculation tools will be made available to the public and legal professionals alike.
The 2025 updates are designed to reflect a fairer, more accurate calculation of child support obligations in light of current economic realities. While the changes will be more impactful for certain income levels, all family law professionals must be prepared to implement the updated Tables and advise their clients accordingly.
Editorial note: This article was first published on LinkedIn in September 2025 and is republished here for reference.
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