Hi! I've been in a similar situation and I got caught out paying privately, then I wised up and started using CSA.

I reckon there are pro's and con's to both sides. But discovered that the money I'd already paid didn't count!

It is worthwhile checking out stuff. I've been wading around heaps of sites looking for information and support. It took me ages to think about coming back and joining a site like this! Which I'd done for my previous pregnancy!

Another place which I found some good (and some pretty average kind of ranting stuff) was on Facebook. A couple of Aussie groups / pages going where people are putting some good stuff up. One was something to do with Child Support and being Awesome (sorry...off the top of my head! I just rememebered the awesome bit!).

Best of luck. It is a tough road to negotiate. Figure our your rights, as I'm finding it is the stuff you don't think of that gets you. In my case it was private health insurance, PLUS the paying privately stuff.