Anson and Neale (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the father, Anson, against a decision of the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for the parties' child. The dispute centred on the Registrar's determination of the likely pattern of care from the commencement of the administrative assessment.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Registrar had erred in determining the likely pattern of care, specifically whether the father's asserted care arrangements were sufficiently established and likely to continue from the relevant date. The court was required to consider the evidence presented regarding the proposed care arrangements and assess their likelihood of implementation and continuation.

The court affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that the evidence did not establish a likely pattern of care that would justify a departure from the initial assessment. The court applied the principles governing the determination of the likely pattern of care under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, emphasising the need for a demonstrable and continuing arrangement from the commencement of the assessment period. The father's proposed arrangements were found to be speculative and not sufficiently concrete to warrant a change in the assessed percentage of care.