Home / Child Support Expert Brisbane
Former Legal Aid Queensland leader — now advising Brisbane families privately
Before building his Melbourne-based advisory practice, Simon Bacon spent formative years as Principal Lawyer of Legal Aid Queensland's child support division. During that time, he didn't just advise clients — he worked within the system, understanding how Services Australia processes claims, makes decisions, and responds to challenges.
That insider perspective is rare among child support practitioners. Most lawyers experience the system only from the outside — lodging applications and waiting for responses. Simon understands the internal decision-making framework, the factors that influence assessors, and the arguments that carry the most weight at each stage of review.
For Brisbane and Queensland families, this means advice from someone who has deep roots in the Queensland legal community and an intimate understanding of how the federal child support system operates — both from government and private practice perspectives.
Phone and video consultations available from anywhere in the state
Families in Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, and Moreton Bay. The Federal Circuit Court Brisbane registry is at 119 North Quay for matters that reach court.
One of Queensland's fastest-growing regions with significant demand for child support services. Remote advisory means no travel to Brisbane needed.
Families from Caloundra to Noosa. The same federal rules apply — specialist expertise delivered via phone or video consultation.
Regional families often have fewer local options for specialist child support advice. Remote advisory bridges that gap with 35+ years of expertise.
International child support cases can be more common in Far North Queensland due to proximity to Asia-Pacific nations — an area of published expertise.
Regional centres with limited access to specialist family law services. Phone and video make expert advisory accessible from anywhere.
The same expert advisory offered to Melbourne clients, available remotely
Challenge unfair assessments through Change of Assessment applications. We prepare evidence and submissions tailored to the specific COA grounds.
Draft or review binding and limited child support agreements. Both types can be registered with Services Australia without court involvement.
Navigate collection options for unpaid support or defend against enforcement action. Understand Services Australia's powers and your options.
Prepare formal objections to Services Australia decisions and, if needed, submissions for the Administrative Review Tribunal.
International child support cases. Simon's published article "The fog of overseas child support" (2016) demonstrates deep expertise in this complex area.
Maintenance trusts, non-agency payments, PSI rules. As featured on the Tax Talks podcast — expert guidance on the intersection of tax and child support.
Simon served as Principal Lawyer at Legal Aid Queensland's dedicated child support division. This gave him insider knowledge of how the government system processes child support matters — experience that directly benefits Queensland families today.
Absolutely. Phone and video consultations are available from anywhere in Queensland — Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba, or any regional centre. Child support is federal law, so the same rules apply everywhere in Australia.
Brisbane family lawyers typically charge $350–$550/hr. Simon's advisory fees are roughly one-third of those rates, with 35+ years of exclusively child support experience. For a typical matter, the savings can amount to several thousand dollars.
From a former Legal Aid Queensland leader. Free initial consultation — phone or video.
Contact Simon