But it leaves me with a moral and ethical dilemma. I emailed my ex official child support papers yesterday. He hasn't paid a cent since leaving 19 weeks ago.

Here in Australia you declare your income earned in the tax year from 1 June 2015 - 31 July 2016. As I only started teaching again late January and didn't work last year I've only earned 5 months income vs. his significantly higher wage. According to the Australian Government Department of Human Services I COULD claim $378 a week for my kids as reflective of my 5 months tax return.

But ethically if we entered into a private arrangement I should probably go for the $230 mark. But the difference is $7,000 between now and the next financial year.

I'm faced with the dilemma of what I could legally do, and pump him dry, or negotiating privately since my salary is obscured by the 5 month return.

Ideas?