Andrew Wade and William Wade (Child support)

This matter concerned an application for an administrative assessment of child support by a non-parent carer, Andrew Wade, and William Wade (referred to as the child). The dispute arose because the child's parent did not consent to the applicant caring for the child. The decision under review was made by the Child Support Registrar.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the applicant was an eligible carer for the purposes of an administrative assessment of child support. This eligibility turned on whether there had been an extreme family breakdown or a serious risk to the child's wellbeing from violence or sexual abuse, as required by the relevant legislation.

The Registrar affirmed the decision that the applicant was not an eligible carer. The reasoning applied was that the evidence did not establish the necessary threshold of extreme family breakdown or serious risk to the child's wellbeing. Consequently, the applicant did not meet the criteria to apply for an administrative assessment of child support in these circumstances.