According to subsection 5K(1) of the VEA, maintenance income in relation to a person, means:
- child maintenance — that is, the amount of a payment or the value of a benefit that is received by the person for the maintenance of a maintained child of the person and is received from:
- a parent of the child, or
- the partner or former partner of a parent of the child, or
- partner maintenance — that is, the amount of a payment or the value of a benefit that is received by the person for the person's own maintenance and is received from the person's partner or former partner, or
- direct child maintenance — that is, the amount of a payment or the value of a benefit that is received by a maintained child of the person for the child's own maintenance and is received from:
- a parent of the child, or
- the partner or former partner of a parent of the child,
but does not include disability expenses maintenance.