Allman and Setford (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Child Support Registrar (the Registrar) regarding the percentage of care arrangements for a child. The parties involved were Allman and Setford, with the appeal focusing on whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care and whether either parent had actual care of the child. The Registrar had previously made determinations regarding the percentage of care, which were now under review.

The primary legal issues before the Registrar were twofold: firstly, whether the existing percentage of care determinations should be revoked due to a change in the likely pattern of care; and secondly, whether either parent had established a pattern of care for the child. These questions were central to determining the appropriate child support assessment going forward.

In reaching its decision, the Registrar considered the evidence presented by both parties concerning the child's living arrangements and the practical realities of each parent's involvement. The Registrar applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) concerning the assessment of care percentages, which requires a determination of the likely pattern of care over a relevant period. The Registrar found that the evidence supported a change in the likely pattern of care and made new determinations regarding the percentage of care for each parent. The Registrar affirmed the decision that new determinations were necessary.