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Over 35 years of exclusive specialisation in child support law and administration
In a profession where most practitioners spread their expertise across divorce, property, custody, and child support, Simon Bacon made a different choice. After graduating from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Laws, he dedicated his entire career to a single area: child support.
That decision — made over three decades ago — has produced one of Australia's deepest wells of child support expertise. As Simon has noted: "I found it very interesting, and I found that few lawyers knew about it." That observation remains true today. Child support is complex, highly technical, and constantly evolving — and very few practitioners have the depth of knowledge that comes from 35+ years of exclusive focus.
Based at Normanby Chambers, 430 Little Collins Street in Melbourne's legal precinct, Simon serves clients across all of Melbourne — from the CBD and inner suburbs to the outer east, west, and south-east corridors — as well as families throughout regional Victoria and across Australia via phone and video.
Recognised expertise in child support law, not just practical experience
Served as child support editor for Thomson Reuters' Family Law Review. Published 5 peer-reviewed articles on topics including substitution orders, amicus curiae, pre-emptive declaratory orders, and overseas child support.
Published "Depreciation and child support" (Vol 79, No 9, 2005) in Victoria's premier legal journal — one of the first articles to examine the intersection of depreciation and child support assessment.
Regular guest expert on Australia's leading tax podcast, covering child support payments, PSI in assessments, maintenance trusts, non-agency payments, lump sum payments, and subpoenas.
Served as Principal Lawyer of Legal Aid Queensland's dedicated child support division — building insider knowledge of how the government system processes child support matters.
Quoted in the Herald Sun ("Men seek proof of paternity before paying up," 2011) and featured in North West City News as one of Melbourne's leaders in family and child support law.
Bachelor of Laws from one of Australia's oldest and most respected law schools. Registered on the High Court of Australia's Register of Practitioners.
Expert advisory services for Melbourne families — in person or via phone/video
Challenge unfair child support assessments through Change of Assessment (COA) applications. We prepare the evidence, draft submissions, and guide you through the process.
Draft or review binding and limited child support agreements. Ensure the agreement protects your interests and will be accepted by Services Australia for registration.
Whether you're owed unpaid child support or facing enforcement action, we help navigate the options — from payment arrangements to tax refund interceptions.
Prepare formal objections to Services Australia decisions and, if needed, comprehensive submissions for the Administrative Review Tribunal.
International child support cases involving countries with reciprocal agreements. One of Simon's published specialities ("The fog of overseas child support," 2016).
The intersection of taxation and child support — maintenance trusts, non-agency payments, PSI rules, and lump sum arrangements. A niche area where specialist knowledge is essential.
Simon Bacon has over 35 years of exclusive specialisation in child support — one of the longest and most focused careers in this field in Australia. Based at Normanby Chambers in Melbourne's CBD, he has published 8 peer-reviewed articles and is a regular guest expert on the Tax Talks podcast.
A child support expert focuses exclusively on child support matters. Most family lawyers handle child support as a small part of a broader practice. The depth of specialisation means a child support expert understands nuances and strategies that generalist practitioners may miss — and charges less because the advisory model doesn't carry the overhead of a full law firm.
Yes. Simon is based at Normanby Chambers, 430 Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 — in the heart of Melbourne's legal precinct. In-person consultations are available by appointment, along with phone and video options for those who prefer remote meetings.
Free initial consultation — in person at Normanby Chambers, or via phone or video.
Contact Simon