A record number of parents who have outstanding child support debts are being stopped from travelling abroad, resulting in $10.4 million being recouped.

In the first 10 months of this financial year, departure prohibition orders resulted in 358 being stopped at a departure gate - eclipsing the previous peak of 333 people - and where they were given the choice to either pay up or turn back.

Human Services Minister Michael Keenan said this is money is owed to people's own children, which should be their priority rather than travelling overseas.

"We have actually had someone pay $350,000 on the spot, which shows you it is not an issue of capacity to pay, it's just an issue of refusing to fulfil your obligations to your own family," Mr Keenan told Sky News on Sunday.

AAP

Another parent paid $60,000 on the spot after their travel plans were interrupted while in a third case, a parent who resides overseas had returned briefly to Australia was prevented from leaving until they agreed to pay $30,000.

"If a parent can afford to take an overseas holiday, the Turnbull government believes they can and should be made to pay what they owe," Mr Keenan said.

"The welfare of their children should be their first priority, not getting a tan on a beach in Bali."